Genetically engineered eucalyptus expressing pesticidal proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis for insect resistance: a risk assessment evaluation perspective

Eucalyptus covers approximately 7.5 million hectares in Brazil and serves as the primary woody species cultivated for commercial purposes. However, native insects and invasive pests pose a significant threat to eucalyptus trees, resulting in substantial economic losses and reduced forest productivit...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Frontiers in bioengineering and biotechnology Vol. 12; p. 1322985
Main Authors:	Avisar, Dror, Manoeli, Alexandre, Dos Santos, Anselmo Azevedo, Porto, Antonio Carlos Da Mota, Rocha, Carolina Da Silva, Zauza, Edival, Gonzalez, Esteban R, Soliman, Everton, Gonsalves, José Mateus Wisniewski, Bombonato, Lorena, Galan, Maria P, Domingues, Maurício M, Candelaria, Murici Carlos, Mafia, Reginaldo, Graça, Rodrigo Neves, Azulay, Shelly, Livne, Sivan, Dias, Tatiane Buono, Drezza, Thaís Regina, Silva, William Jose, Pinheiro, Ana Cristina
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	Switzerland Frontiers Media S.A 18-03-2024
Subjects:	Bacillus thuringiensis Bioengineering and Biotechnology Cry pesticidal proteins eucalyptus genetically modified insect resistance Thyrinteina arnobia Thyrinteina arnobia insect resistance genetically modified Bacillus thuringiensis eucalyptus Cry pesticidal proteins biosafety
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Summary:	Eucalyptus covers approximately 7.5 million hectares in Brazil and serves as the primary woody species cultivated for commercial purposes. However, native insects and invasive pests pose a significant threat to eucalyptus trees, resulting in substantial economic losses and reduced forest productivity. One of the primary lepidopteran pests affecting eucalyptus is (Stoll, 1782) (Lepidoptera: Geometridae), commonly referred to as the brown looper caterpillar. To address this issue, FuturaGene, the biotech division of Suzano S.A., has developed an insect-resistant (IR) eucalyptus variety, which expresses Cry pesticidal proteins (Cry1Ab, Cry1Bb, and Cry2Aa), derived from (Bt). Following extensive safety assessments, including field trials across various biomes in Brazil, the Brazilian National Technical Commission of Biosafety (CTNBio) recently approved the commercialization of IR eucalyptus. The biosafety assessments involved the analysis of molecular genomics, digestibility, thermostability, non-target organism exposure, degradability in the field, and effects on soil microbial communities and arthropod communities. In addition, studies were conducted to evaluate allergenicity and toxicity. Results from both laboratory and field studies indicated that Bt eucalyptus is as safe as the conventional eucalyptus clone for humans, animals, and the environment, ensuring the secure use of this insect-resistant trait in wood production.
Bibliography:	ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23 Hector Quemada, Retired, United States Edited by: Karen Hokanson, Agriculture and Food Systems Institute, United States Reviewed by: Michael Meissle, Agroscope, Switzerland
ISSN:	2296-4185 2296-4185
DOI:	10.3389/fbioe.2024.1322985