Setting the Context: Agriculture and Genetic Modification

Genetic manipulation or genetic modification (GM) is a technology in which a gene or genes are taken from one organism (the donor) or are synthesized de novo , possibly modified and then inserted into another organism (the recipient) in an attempt to transfer a desired trait or character. This chapter sets the scene for the development of genetic modification of crops and associated biosafety issues to provide a background for the risk assessment, mitigation, and management topics. This chapter discusses why one needs genetic modification of crops, the genetic modification traits that have been released to the field thus far, and the traits that are likely to be released in the near future. It also discusses the type of biosafety concerns raised by genetic modification technologies and the baselines against which risk assessments are made.