Ecological Risk Assessment of Transgenic Rapeseed in China

In view of the current status of research and environmental release of transgenic rapeseed worldwide, the environmental risk was assessed focusing on competitive survival ability, gene dispersal and biodiversity impact of transgenic rapeseed in China. Complicated in ecological conditions, China is the centre of evolutionary origin and biodiversity of many crucifer species. Transgene may transfer from Brassica napus to vegetable and wild species of B.rapa and B.juncea. In China genetic transformation techniques of rapeseed(B. napus) has well been established and genetic transformation experiments are frequent with a variety of genes transferred and without severe management. A large quantity of transgenic rapeseed is imported to China each year. It is concluded that transgenic rapeseed poses higher risk of gene dispersal than other crops do in China. It is appealed that biosafety consciousness of transgenic rapeseed should be strengthened, and a technical platform of GMO detection and monitoring should be properly established.