Discussion questions

1. Summarize and clarify the information needs for assessing and managing the environmental risks of transgene flow.

2. What methodologies, information, and data address the regulatory needs for assessing and managing the environmental risks of transgene flow?

3. What is the state of the science that addresses the regulatory needs for assessing and managing the environmental risks of transgene flow?

4. What research needs for assessing and managing the environmental risks of transgene flow might be predicted over the next 5 years, based on current agricultural trends and emerging biotechnology products?

5. Are there other topics that are not included that should be a priority for assessing and managing environmental risks of transgene flow?

6. What research gaps exist for assessing and managing the environmental risks of transgene flow and how might these best be addressed?

7. What priority rankings (high, medium, low, or not a priority) should be placed on any topic identified as a research gap?

Topics that may be addressed:

1. Risk Assessment
   1. Detection of gene flow
      1. Hybridization and/or introgression into:
         1. Wildtype
         2. Feral populations
         3. Wild relatives
   2. Consequences of gene flow
      1. Effects on fitness (increased/decreased weediness, fecundity, disease susceptibility)
      2. Types of traits that will affect fitness (e.g., U.S./Canadian list of 17 traits)
      3. What are appropriate controls for transgenic comparisons?
      4. Effects on organisms that feed or live in association with the plant
      5. Influence of plant life history on consequences
         1. Degree of outcrossing
         2. Lifespan (annual/perennial)

2. Risk Management
   1. Confinement strategies
      1. Biological (e.g., male sterility, autosuicidal mechanisms, chloroplast transformation)
      2. Physical
      3. Effectiveness of multiple confinement systems
      4. Large confinement/transport considerations
   2. Managing the evolution of herbicide tolerant weeds
   3. Mitigation
   4. State restrictions

3. Monitoring
   1. Factors affecting the decision to monitor
   2. Data/methodologies that would effectively monitor the impacts of transgene flow and the effectiveness of confinement strategies