Plant transformation is a powerful tool used to manipulate gene expression in order to study gene regulation, plant development and the control of metabolic pathways. Whilst the use of transgenic technology in model plant systems, such as tobacco and arabidposis, is routine in many laboratories throughout the world, most of these studies are conducted in a controlled environment (greenhouse) and as such, pose little risk of escape of transgenes into the environment

The situation, however, is quite different for maize. During the last 10 years maize transformations have largely been conducted in the private sector. This is now beginning to change, with an increase in the development and utilization of transgenic maize plants in academic research projects. The availability of maize transformation technology to the many university researchers involved in maize genetics, genomics, physiology, and breeding activities is sure to advance our knowledge and understanding of this important crop species. Unlike studies with arabidopsis it is likely that most transgenic maize plants used by university researchers will be grown not in glasshouses, but in field conditions. Currently experimental transgenic maize plants are grown primarily by the private sector at a limited number of field sites. As the use of maize transgenics in public-sector research increases, so too will the number of locations and the geographic range in which these transgenics are planted. Such a situation increases the risk of unintentional cross-pollination of non-transgenic maize plants by experimental transgenic maize plants. While it is unlikley that such a scenario would not effect commercial grain or result in the recall of food products from grocery shelves, the potential for introduction of regulated transgenes into the food chain exists as a real issue. The possibility of this happening is increased by one of the very strengths of the maize research community: cooperation among individual investigators. The maize genetics community is well-known for sharing genetic seed stocks. Thus the potential exists for the unknowing, unwitting and unintentional distribution of a given transgene in a 'non-transgenic' stock in which cross-pollination by a transgenic stock goes undetected. This may lead to unchecked contamination of non-transgenic research materials, and even commercial grain fields, with regulated transgenes.

The concerns and scenarios presented above are unlikely to result in a situation of the economic magnitude seen with the spread of Starlink outside the range of that product's intended use. A more likely result, no matter how small the risk, may be a restriction on the use of government funds for projects involving maize transgenics. Academic researchers must make compliance with government regulations for handling transgenic maize plants the highest priority, and take every precaution to prevent unintentional release of transgenes outside the confines of the experiment in which these plants are used.

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