Date of publication: January 16,
2006
Source:
http://gmoinfo.jrc.it/gmp_browse_geninf.asp
Notification number:
B/FR/06/01/14-CON
Member State: France
Date of Acknowledgement: 16/12/2005
Title of the Project:
Field experiment of genetically modified tobacco with a
reduced content of cembranes on leaf surface
Proposed period of release From:01/04/2006
To:31/10/2008
Name of the Institute(s) or Company(ies): LIBROPHYT
SAS;
3. Is the same GMPt release planned elsewhere in the
Community?
No
4 - Has the same GMPt been notified elsewhere by the same
notifier?
No
Genetically
modified plant
1. Complete name of the
recipient or parental plant(s)
|
Common Name
|
Family Name
|
Genus |
Species
|
Subspecies
|
Cultivar/breeding line
|
|
tobacco |
solanaceae |
nicotiana |
nicotiana tabacum |
tabacum |
Basma
Drama |
2. Description of the traits and characteristics which have
been introduced or modified, including marker genes and previous
modifications:
The GMPt contains a tobacco gene fragment in both sense and
antisense orientation under the control of its own promoter in
order to silence the corresponding endogenous gene. Presence of
this transgene results in a reduced content in cembranes
(diterpenes) on the tobacco leaf surface.
The plants contain also a resistance gene marker that is
expressed in the whole plant.
Supplemental confidential information is given in appendix I
Genetic
modification
3. Type of genetic
modification:
Insertion;
4. In case of insertion of genetic material, give the source
and intended function of each constituent fragment of the region
to be inserted:
The gene of interest and its regulatory elements originate
from plant species. The gene of interest is a partial fragment
of (a) gene(s) that is (are) already present in the non-modified
tobacco genome
The marker gene is from bacterial origin but contains a
functional intron. The presence of the intron prevents the
marker gene to be expressed in procaryotic organisms. The
protein is not pathogenic to humans nor deleterious to the
environment.
Supplemental confidential information is given in appendix II
6. Brief description of the method used for the genetic
modification:
The transgene was introduced in tobacco via the Agrobacterium
mediated transformation. Regeneration and selection of modified
plants is performed on medium containing the selective agent,
hygromycin. The transgene insertion and copy number is confirmed
by the isolation of flanking sequences and southern analysis.
7. If the recipient or parental plant is a forest tree
species, describe ways and extent of dissemination and specific
factors affecting dissemination:
Not applicable
Experimental
Release
1. Purpose of the release:
The field trial aims at testing the agronomic performance of
the modified plants compared to control plants. In particular,
(i) the level of terpene secretion at the leaf surface will be
evaluated during the course of the trial and (ii) the plant
growth characteristics under various agronomic parameters such
as irrigation and plant density.
2. Geographical location of the site:
France (location to be defined)
3. Size of the site (m2):
4800 genetic modified plants and 1200 wild type plants of the
same cultivars will be grown in an area of 2000 m2
4. Relevant data regarding previous releases carried out with
the same GM-plant, if any, specifically related to the potential
environmental and human health impacts from the release:
No release of the same GM-plant was carried out previously.
Environmental
Impact and Risk Management
Summary of the potential
environmental impact from the release of the GMPts:
Tobacco is not a wild plant in Europe. Tobacco plants cannot
survive the winter in Europe and the germination of tobacco
seeds for cultivation is done in warm glass houses before
transplanting in the field. The acquired trait in the modified
plant does not affect resistance to cold or the ability to
germinate in the field. Also, the genetically modified plants
have an altered leaf surface composition but no new compounds
are present. The only detectable variation is the reduction in
cembranes. Finally, the GM-plant is resistant to the antibiotic
hygromycin. This trait does not confer any competitive advantage
to the GM-plant under standard cultivation.
Consequently, there is no anticipated selective advantage of the
GM-plant in a natural environment.
Brief description of any measures taken for the management of
risks:
To limit potential cross fertilization with cultivated
tobacco, the plants will be harvested before flowering.
Moreover, the fields will be located at least 500 m from the
nearest tobacco field.
Summary of foreseen field trial studies focused to gain new
data on environmental and human health impact from the release:
Not applicable
Final report
-
European
Commission administrative information
Consent given by the Competent
Authority: Not Known |
