Benefits and Costs of Biologically Contained Genetically Modified Tomatoes and Eggplants in Italy and Spain

Sustainability

Rolf A. Groeneveld³  Erik Ansink²  Clemens C.M. van de Wiel¹ 

[1] WUR Plant Breeding, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, Wageningen 6708 PB, The Netherlands; E-Mail:;VU University Amsterdam, Institute for Environmental Studies, De Boelelaan 1087, Amsterdam 1081 HV, The Netherlands; E-Mail:;Wageningen University, Environmental Economics and Natural Resources Group, Hollandseweg 1, Wageningen 6706 KN, The Netherlands

关键词: tomato;    eggplant;    genetic modification;    coexistence;    biological containment;    economics;   

DOI  :  10.3390/su3081265

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

In this paper we assess the benefits and costs of introducing biologically contained genetically modified (GM) crops, with an application to the potential introduction of GM tomatoes and eggplants in Italy and Spain. Such crops possess both the standard beneficial GM traits, and they prevent introgression of transgenes from GM crops to their conventional or wild relatives, thereby adding to the safety of their cultivation. As a result, coexistence regulations for these crops are less stringent than for crops without biological containment. The potential adoption of biologically contained GM tomatoes and eggplants is assessed in a cost-benefit framework for Italy and Spain. We conclude that biological containment has considerable potential benefits if policy makers are willing to loosen the restrictions on the introduction of these varieties.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2011 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.