Ecological risk assessment of GM plants

From ERAC Edu

Time: May 7 - 9, 2007

Place: University of Kuopio, Kuopio (Maps and connections)

Tietoteknia (the building number 13 on the map)

Credits: 2.0 credit points

Language: English

Organizers: The course is organized jointly by Environmental Risk Assessment Center (ERAC), Research Programme on Environmental, Societal and Health Effects of Genetically Modified Organisms (ESGEMO), and Finnish Graduate School in Environmental Science and Technology (EnSTe)

Course leader: Anne-Marja Nerg, Docent, University of Kuopio, Department of Environmental Science

Course description: The course includes a short introduction to genetically modified (GM) plants and their ecological risk assessment (ERA). The lectures will cover the three phases of ERA process: problem formulation and hazard identification, analysis, and risk characterization. The risk estimate includes uncertainties, which will also be discussed during the course.

On May 9, ESGEMO Seminar of Ecological Risk Assessment will be arranged by ESGEMO Research Programme. The seminar is included in the credit points. There is no course fee. Travel and meals of participants are at own expence.

Case studies: Students have to read beforehand selected reports of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

Potato
Maize
Carnation

In those reports the Panel on Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO panel) has given its opinion of the applications for the placing on the market of certain GM plants. How was the ERA process made in each case? Students will present summaries of the identified hazards, the level of exposure and thus produce conclusions on the risks.

Lecturers:

C. Neal Stewart, Jr., Racheff Chair of Excellence and Professor Plant Molecular Genetics University of Tennessee Knoxville, USA

Jeremy Sweet, Dr., vice-chairman of the EFSA GMO panel Environmental Consultant (formerly National Institute of Agricultural Botany, Cambridge) The Green, Willingham Cambridge, UK

Sirpa Kärenlampi, Prof., vice-chairman of the EFSA GMO panel University of Kuopio Department of Biosciences Kuopio, Finland

Sami Aikio, Dr. Integrative Ecology Unit Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences University of Helsinki Finland

Further information: For further information contact Anne-Marja Nerg (Email: anne-marja.nerg at uku.fi, Tel. 017-163190).

Time schedule:

Date	Lecture
Monday, May 7
Tietoteknia, 1038
9.15-10.30	Introduction to GM plants: transformation methods, examples of introduced traits, global status S. Kärenlampi
10.45-12.00	What is ecological risk assessment (ERA)? Defining risk, hazard and exposure. Starting points for ERA of GM plants S. Aikio
13.15-14.00	Problem formulation phase of ERA: Assessment and measurement endpoints for ERA of GM plants N. Stewart
14.15-15.00	Problem formulation phase of ERA: Ecological hazards associated with GM plants N. Stewart
15.15-16.00	Analysis phase of ERA: Level of exposure as basis for risk characterization and risk estimation N. Stewart
Tuesday, May 8
Tietoteknia, 1039
9.15-10.30	Analysis phase of ERA: Ecological consequences of GM-plants as basis for risk characterization and risk estimation J. Sweet
10.45-11.30	EU regulation of GM plants S. Kärenlampi
12.30-13.30	Risk assessment of GM plants: role of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) S. Kärenlampi
13.30-16.00	Case Studies: EFSA reports/student presentations J. Sweet Conclusions
Wednesday, May 9
Tietoteknia, TTA	ESGEMO SEMINAR ON ECOLOGICAL RISK ASSESSMENT
9.00-10.00	Post-market environmental monitoring Jeremy Sweet, vice-chairman of the EFSA GMO panel, England
10.00-11.00	Biocontainment Neal Stewart, University of Tennessee
11.15-12.00	Risk management of GM food Sari Sippola, Finnish Food Safety Authority Evira
13.00-13.45	Modelling in the ERA of GM-plants Anna Kuparinen, University of Helsinki
13.45-14.30	An example of a detailed risk analysis of a GM-tree field trial Hanna Pasonen, University of Helsinki
14.45-15.30	GM-plants and their possible risks in future Irma Saloniemi, University of Turku
15.30-16.00	Final discussion and closing