This module is intended to provide information on the regulation of livestock feeds containing products derived from genetically modified (GM) crops in Canada and the United States, and on the studies that have been carried out to assess the safety of these novel feeds.

Covers concepts and principles, modification method, molecular genetic characterization, gene transfer to related plants, gene transfer to unrelated organisms, weediness potential, secondary and non-target adverse effects, and insect resistance management.
 
This insect-resistant maize was produced by inserting a truncated form of the cry1Ab gene from Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki HD-1. The genetic modification affords resistance to attack by the European corn borer (ECB).

Covers concepts and principles, modification method, molecular genetic characterization, toxicity, allergenicity, and nutritional data.
 
This glyphosate tolerant soybean variety was produced by inserting a modified 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS) encoding gene from the soil bacterium Agrobacterium tumefaciens.

Covers concepts and principles, modification method, molecular genetic characterization, toxicity, allergenicity, and nutritional data.

The implementation of effective biosafety measures requires specific capacities in the area of biosafety risk analysis. This module briefly examines the processes of scientific risk assessment, risk management, and risk communication. Other topics include the use of substantial equivalence as a framing concept for risk assessment and the precautionary principle.

This is an introduction to the regulation of genetically modified crops, livestock feeds, and foods in Canada and the United States. The systems in these countries are similar in that: both have a coordinated approach whereby regulatory responsibility is shared by several agencies; risk assessments are based on sound science; and each regulated product is assessed on a case-by-case basis.

This module presents a brief analysis of the impact of crop biotechnology on international trade in agricultural commodities and some of the trade-related implications of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety.