Biosafety, Volume 1, Paper 11 (BY95011), December 1995
Online Journal, URL -
http://www.bdt.org.br/bioline/by
Performance Standards for Safely Conducting Research with
Genetically Modified Fish and Shellfish
Prepared by U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural
Biotechnology Research Advisory Committee Working Group on
Aquatic Biotechnology and Environmental Safety
July 31, 1995
Code Number: BY95011
Size of Files:
Text: 186K
Graphics [Flow Chart files]: 577K
Note: Flow charts and Appendices may be obtained by clicking
on the highlighted reference in the main text, in the same way
that regular graphics files are obtained.
Each Flow Chart is between 20-50K
Each Appendix is between 3-47K
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
INTRODUCTION
Purpose
Environmental Safety
Components of the Performance Standards
OVERVIEW OF PERFORMANCE STANDARDS FLOWCHARTS
I. APPLICABILITY OF PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
I.A, II.B, II.C. SURVIVAL AND REPRODUCTION ASSESSMENT
II.A. 1. IMPACT OF DELIBERATE GENE CHANGES
II.B. 1. IMPACT OF DELIBERATE CHROMOSOMAL MANIPULATIONS
II.C. 1. IMPACT OF INTERSPECIFIC HYBRIDIZATION
III. POTENTIAL INTERFERENCE WITH NATURAL REPRODUCTION
IV.A. ECOSYSTEM EFFECTS - DELIBERATE GENE CHANGES
IV.A.1. ECOSYSTEM EFFECTS- IMPACTS OF INTROGRESSION OF
MODIFIED GENE(S)
IV.B. POTENTIAL BARRIERS ASSOCIATED WITH ACCESSIBLE
ECOSYSTEM
IV.B. 1. ECOSYSTEM EFFECTS - POTENTIAL FOR NON REPRODUCTIVE
INTERACTION
IV.C. ECOSYSTEM EFFECTS - IMPACTS OF REPRODUCTIVE
INTERFERENCE
Density-Dependent Factors
V. EFFECTS ON ECOSYSTEM STRUCTURE AND PROCESSES
VI. RISK MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS PROJECT SITING, DESIGN,
OPERATIONS, AND REVIEW
Introduction
Project Siting
Design of Barriers
Security
Alarms
Stand-by Power
Operational Plan
Peer Review and Site Review
Documentation to submit to proposal and site reviewers
LITERATURE CITED
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
APPENDIX A
EXCERPTS FROM THE AQUATIC NUISANCE SPECIES PROGRAM (ANS)
APPENDIX B
ASSESSMENT OF GENETICALLY MODIFIED FINFISH AND
SHELLFISH WITH NON-DIOECIOUS MODES OF
REPRODUCTION
APPENDIX C
CHEMICAL STERILIZATION OF SEA WATER
APPENDIX D
SCHEMATIC DIAGRAMS OF EXAMPLES OF MECHANICAL
BARRIERS
APPENDIX E
ABRAC WORKING GROUP ON AQUATIC BIOTECHNOLOGY AND
ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
APPENDIX F
PARTICIPANTS IN THE WORKSHOP ON PERFORMANCE
STANDARDS FOR RESEARCH WITH GENETICALLY
MODIFIED FISH AND SHELLFISH
INTRODUCTION
The growing consumer demand for affordable, high quality
seafood and the need to protect marine and freshwater
resources from overharvest has led to increased interest in
aquaculture research targeted to improve performance traits in
economically important species and to address basic issues
such as those related to biodiversity and sustainable
utilization of aquatic resources. Additionally, aquatic
organisms are increasingly used as model species for
biomedical and environmental pollution research. Advances in
biotechnology provide new opportunities for researchers to
address these human needs and interests.
Purpose
These voluntary Performance Standards are intended to aid
researchers and institutions in assessing the ecological and
evolutionary safety of research activities involving
genetically modified fish, crustaceans, or molluscs. Where the
need is identified, they are also intended to aid researchers
in developing appropriate risk management measures so that the
research can be conducted without adverse effects on natural
aquatic ecosystems. By helping investigators to systematically
address limited knowledge and manage risks, if any are
identified, the Performance Standards are intended to expedite
research and development involving genetically modified
aquatic organisms. They are not intended to impede
investigators from proceeding with such work.