This study was carried out to develop of environmental risk assessments and the biosafety guide for Vitamin E enhanced transgenic soybean at LMO (Living Modified Organism) isolation field. In LMO quarantine area of National Institute of Agricultural Sciences, insect species diversities and population densities on vitamin E enhanced transgenic soybean and non-GM soybeans (Willams 82 and Seoritae) were investigated. A total of 17,717 individuals of 77 species from 8 orders were collected in LMO isolation field. In three type soybeans field, total of 5,250 individuals in Vitamin E enhanced transgenic soybean, 5,510 individuals in Willams 82, and 6,957 individuals in Seoritae were collected, respectively. There was no difference between the population densities of insect pests, natural enemies and other insects on Vitamin E enhanced transgenic soybean and Willams 82, while natural enemies density on Seoritae was higher than on Vitamin E enhanced transgenic soybean, but insect pests density on Vitamin E enhanced transgenic soybean was higher. These results provided the insects diversity for risk assessment survey of Vitamin E enhanced transgenic soybean and suggested that the guideline could be useful to detect LMO crops.

The β-carotene biofortified transgenic rice was developed by transforming rice cv. Nakdongbyeo with phytoene synthase (Psy) and carotene desaturase (Crt I) genes isolated from Capsicum and Pantoea. The aim of this study was to perform molecular characterization of rice transformants of T5-T7 generation harboring Psy and Ctr I genes driven by endosperm specific globulin promoter for biosafety evaluation of β-carotene biofortified transgenic rice. The structure and sequence of T-DNA in the transformation vector and the insertion sites, flanking sequences and generational stability of inserted T-DNA in transgenic rice lines were analyzed. The transformation vector consisted of right border, MAR gene, carotenogenic genes unit, herbicide resistance selectable marker unit, MAR gene and left border in sequential order. T-DNA was introduced at the position of 30,363,938-30,363,973 bp of chromosome No. 2 by adaptor-ligation PCR. Stable integration of T-DNA and stable expression of bar gene was confirmed in T5 to T7 generations. It was also confirmed that the backbone DNA of transformation vector containing antibacterial gene was not present in the genome of β-carotene biofortified transgenic rice. HPLC analysis confirmed that carotenoids were consistently detected through T5-T7 generations.

Genetically modified (GM) crops have been developed worldwide through the recombinant DNA technology and commercialized by various agricultural biotechnology companies. Commercialization of GM crops will be required the assessment of risk associated with the release of GM crops. The purpose of this research is a molecular characterization of introduced T-DNA in transgenic rice T4~T6 generation lines harboring a pepper MsrB2 gene under the control of stress inducible Rab21 promoter, as a part of biosafety evaluation for drought-tolerant transgenic rice (Agb0103). We identified the structure and sequence of transformation vector of T-DNA and analyzed insertion sites, flanking sequences, and generational stability of inserted T-DNA in transgenic rice lines. The transformation vector was consisted of right border, a drought-tolerant CaMsrB2 gene unit (Rab21 promoter:CaMsrB2:PinII terminator), a selectable marker herbicide resistance unit (CaMV 35S promoter:bar:Nos terminator), and left border in sequential order. Based on the adaptor-ligation PCR and whole genome sequence database, we confirmed that T-DNA was introduced 2 copies (head to head type) at the position of 2,471,957∼ 2,472,049 bp of chromosome No. 8. From the generational stability study, T-DNAs were stably inherited through the T4 to T6 generations, and also stable expression of bar gene from T-DNA was confirmed. It was also confirmed that the backbone DNA of transformation vector containing antibacterial gene was not present in Agb0103 rice genome. These results will be filed to biosafety assessment document of Agb0103.

This study was carried out to develop of macro-protocol and the biosafety guide for drought-tolerant transgenic rice (Agb0103) at large scale GMO field, a total of 4,700 m². In GMO quarantine area of Kyungpook National University, insect species diversities and population densities on Agb0103 and wild type (Ilmi) were investigated. There was no difference between the population densities of insect pests and natural enemies on two varieties, while sometimes insect pest density on Ilmi was slightly higher than on Agb0103, but natural enemy density on Agb0103 was a little higher. These results provided the insect diversity for risk assessment analysis of Agb0103 and suggested that the macro-protocol could be useful to detect GM plants.