Characterizing the environmental safety of IPD079Ea protein

Genetically modified crops undergo extensive evaluation using a well-established risk assessment framework to characterize environmental safety prior to commercial launch.  As part of this assessment, information regarding the trait, crop and receiving environment are considered.  For insect protection traits, data is generated characterizing the spectrum of activity of the trait and with non-target organisms to ensure the trait has a relatively low risk to beneficial organisms.  IPD079Ea is a protein derived from a fern, Ophioglossum pendulum, which provides protection against Diabrotica virgifera virgifera (western corn rootworm).  This presentation will provide an overview of the spectrum of activity of IPD079Ea and studies conducted with surrogate species representing pollinator, predator, and detritivore groups in agroecosystems.  IPD079ea protein assessment provides an example of the robustness and flexibility of the current well-established environmental risk assessment framework to accommodate novel traits.