Introduction

Biotechnology (genetic engineering) and biological control offer many opportunities to improve agricultural production. Potential benefits include: achieving higher crop and livestock yields; improving nutritional make-up of crops and livestock; substituting biocontrols for pesticide use; as well as controlling some soil and water pollutants. At the same time, the use of biotechnology and release of genetically engineered organisms (for biocontrol and other purposes) into the environment could create serious ecological, social, and economic hazards (Pimentel et al, 1989).

One objective in the implementation of any new technology is to achieve maximum benefits with minimal risks to the environment, economy, and society. The other major objective is to be able to use the technology so that all future benefits are realized. If a serious problem results from the application of just one project, the future development of the entire technology is jeopardized. Note what has happened to nuclear energy in North America because of mismanagement by industry and the government.

In this article, the potential risks of the use of biotechnology and release of genetically engineered crops and biocontrol organisms into the environment are assessed. Various approaches are suggested that could be employed to minimize and reduce the risks of biotechnology to the environment and society.

Ecological issuesCrop resistance to pests

The engineering of crop resistance to insect and plant pathogen pests offers advantages to reduce the use of insecticides and fungicides in crop protection. This will generally reduce problems from pesticides (NAS, 1989; Pimentel et al, 1993) and improve the economics of pest control (Pimentel, 1986).