Monitoring the occurrence of genetically modified soybean and maize around cultivated fields and at a grain receiving port in Korea

Abstract

Increased imports of genetically modified (GM) soybean and maize might cause genetic contamination of those crops that are conventionally bred, as well as wild soybeans within Korea. Leaves of maize and both cultivated and wild soybeans were sampled in and near rural fields to detect the presence of transgenes. Roadsides around a major grain port in Incheon were also surveyed to monitor the occurrence of incoming GM soybean and maize. The amplificabUity of DNA extracted from the collected samples was determined by PCR using soybean-or maize-specific primers: lectin and zein genes, respectively. The presence or absence of transgenes was detected by primer sets for the 35S and nos genes. Transgenes were not found in the cultivated or wild soybean or in the maize collected from cultivated fields. However, we obtained one GM maize plant among seven along the roadsides around Incheon Port. Although the effect of a single GM maize plant would be negligible and would not pose any threat to natural environments, an increase in the import of GM plants might lead to future, unapproved cultivation of GM crops. Therefore, appropriate monitoring is necessary to detect the occurrence of GM plants in areas around grain receiving ports and within agroecosystems.

Effect of Microwave Heat Treatment on Inhibition of Corn Seed Germination

“…In one such incident in the Republic of Korea, several GM maize plants were discovered along the roadside in 2006. This unexpected finding was reported in a survey of GM soybean and maize at a grain receiving port and around cultivated fields conducted from 2003 to 2006 (Kim et al, 2006;Lee et al, 2009).…”

Scientific Opinion on the application (EFSA‐GMO‐BE‐2012‐110) for the placing on the market of tissue‐selective herbicide‐tolerant genetically modified maize MON 87427 for food and feed uses, import and processing under Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 from Monsanto

“…Although the occurrence of some GM maize plants outside of cropped areas has been reported in Korea, as a result of grain spillage during import, transportation, storage, handling and processing (Kim et al, 2006;Lee et al, 2009;Park et al, 2010), survival of maize plants outside cultivation in Europe is mainly limited by a combination of low competitiveness, absence of a dormancy phase, and susceptibility to plant pathogens, herbivores and frost. As for any other maize varieties, GM maize plants would survive in subsequent seasons in only warmer regions of Europe and are not likely to establish feral populations under European environmental conditions.…”

Scientific Opinion on an application (EFSA-GMO-NL-2009-70) for the placing on the market of genetically modified drought tolerant maize MON 87460 for food and feed uses, import and processing under Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 from Monsanto

“…Although GM maize plants outside cropped areas have been reported in Korea, as a result of grain spillage during import, transport, storage, handling and processing (Kim et al, 2006;Lee et al, 2009;Park et al, 2010), the survival of maize plants outside cultivation in Europe is mainly limited by a combination of: low competitiveness; the absence of a dormancy phase; and susceptibility to plant pathogens, herbivores and frost. As these general characteristics are unchanged in maize MON 87460, drought tolerance is not likely to provide selective advantages outside cultivation in Europe.…”