Scientific and public understanding of the environmental implications posed by biotechnology, particularly in the agricultural sector, have not kept up with the dramatic pace of the development and use of genetically engineered organisms. Research on the ecological effects of biotechnology should be increased significantly. The number of stakeholders in the discussion must be increased, and communication of scientific information about the issue must be both improved and increased.

RECOMMENDATIONS

1. Knowledge Assessment
The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) should perform a “knowledge assessment” of what is known with what degrees of certainty about the environmental implications (positive and negative) of biotechnology.This should inform a domestic and international dialogue that involves a broad range of stakeholders.

2. Public and Media Understanding
The President (through the Office of Science and Technology Policy) should announce a set of science initiatives that increase public information and media understanding of biotechnology. This effort should include both the establishment of a neutral clearinghouse for information about biotechnology and regular reports to Congress.

3. Research on Environmental Implications
The National Science Foundation (NSF) should create an initiative to fund multidisciplinary research and training to better understand the environmental implications of biotechnology. NSF should involve other federal agencies to provide joint funding.

4. Research on Non-target Effects
The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) should provide funding for natural and social science studies on effects of biotechnology on non-target organisms.

5. Benefits in and beyond Agriculture vThe U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) should create a joint funding initiative to assess benefits in and beyond the agricultural setting, including, for example, those associated with bioremediation

Specific Research Needs In Biotechnology
(With A Particular Focus On Those Related To Agriculture)

1. Multidisciplinary study of environmental implications and multi-scalar consequences

2. Studies of all—not only transgenic—crops

3. Integration and synthesis of research findings

4. Understanding of the unintended consequences of biotechnology, including effects of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) on non-target species, such as organic crops, wild plants and pollinators

5. Studies of cross-fertilization and cross-hybridization of crops

6. Research in bioinformatics and its application to agriculture as well as research on predicting the impacts of bioinformatics on biotechnology and the environment

7. Research on benefits, including comparisons of effects of GMOs with those of the products or processes for which GMOs are being substituted

8. Risk assessment including field testing of GMOs before they are approved, to assess risk on wild plants and pollinators, as well as evaluation of impacts after a period of use

9. Assessment of how environmental impacts of biotechnology are evaluated

10. Social science research into the issues surrounding biotechnology that would identify the kinds of questions currently being asked and the reasons why these questions are being posed; how public perceptions are formed; and the implications of economic forces, including how industry needs affect research agendas

11. Study of the ethical implications of biotechnology

12. Analysis of the needs of agricultural producers and consumers

13. Development of defensible and workable Insect Resistance Management (IRM) plans

14. Study of nonagricultural issues, including: medical and industrial uses and environmental remediation.

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