Journal
ALGAL RESEARCH-BIOMASS BIOFUELS AND BIOPRODUCTS
Volume 2, Issue 1, Pages 66-77Publisher
ELSEVIER
DOI: 10.1016/j.algal.2012.11.001
Keywords
Algae; Biofuels; Ecological risk; Genetic modification; Horizontal gene transfer
Categories
Funding
- Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology [PSB11-013]
- NOAA program funds
- U.S. Department of Energy
- National Alliance for Advanced Biofuels and Bioproducts Consortium
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, Laboratory Directed Research Program
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Genetic modification (GM) of microalgae to improve commercial production of biofuels is underway. Inevitable governmental regulations will likely address environmental, economic and human health impacts. Proactive addressing of such regulatory protection goals should begin now, during early development of this new, potentially large and transformative industry. We present strategies for ecological risk assessment of GM algae for commercial mass cultivation assuming that escape of GM algae into the environment is unavoidable. We consider the potential ecological, economic and health impacts of GM algae that persist in and alter natural ecosystems. Horizontal gene transfer with native organisms is of particular concern for certain traits, especially when cultivating GM cyanobacteria. In general, we predict that most target GM algal traits are unlikely to confer a selective advantage in nature, and thus would rapidly diminish, resulting in low but nonzero ecological risk. Genetic and mechanical containment, plus conditional matching of GM algal traits to unnatural cultivation conditions, would further reduce risk These hypothetical predictions must be verified through rigorous ongoing monitoring and mesocosm experiments to minimize risk and foster public and regulatory acceptance. (c) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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