title: Regulatory considerations surrounding the deployment of Bt-expressing cowpea in Africa: report of the deliberations of an expert panel.
abstract: Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata spp unguiculata) is adapted to the drier agro-ecological zones of West Africa where it is a major source of dietary protein and widely used as a fodder crop. Improving the productivity of cowpea can enhance food availability and security in West Africa. Insect predation--predominately from the legume pod borer (Maruca vitrata), flower thrips (Megalurothrips sjostedti) and a complex of pod-sucking bugs (e.g., Clavigralla spp)--is a major yield-limiting factor in West African cowpea production. Dramatic increases in yield are shown when M. vitrata is controlled with insecticides. However, availability, costs, and safety considerations limit pesticides as a viable option for boosting cowpea production. Development of Bt-cowpea through genetic modification (GM) to control the legume pod borer is a promising approach to cowpea improvement. Cowpea expressing the lepidopteran-active Cry1Ab protein from Bacillus thuringiensis is being developed as a first generation Bt-cowpea crop for West Africa. Appropriate stewardship of Bt-cowpea to assure its sustainability under West African conditions is critical to its successful development. A first step in this process is an environmental risk assessment to determine the likelihood and magnitude of adverse effects of the Cry1Ab protein on key environmental protection goals in West Africa. Here we describe the results of an expert panel convened in 2009 to develop the problem formulation phase for Bt-cowpea and to address specific issues around gene flow, non-target arthropods, and insect resistance management.
authors.affiliation: Department of Entomology; Purdue University; West Lafayette, IN, USA. jhuesing@purdue.edu
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Huesing
authors.forename: Jörg
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Romeis
authors.forename: Norman
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ellstrand
authors.forename: Alan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Raybould
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hellmich
authors.forename: Jeff
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wolt
authors.forename: Jeff
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ehlers
authors.forename: Clémentine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dabiré
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fatokun
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hokanson
authors.forename: Mohammad F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Ishiyaku
authors.forename: Venu
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Margam
authors.forename: Nompumelelo
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Obokoh
authors.forename: Jacob
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mignouna
authors.forename: Francis
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Nangayo
authors.forename: Jeremy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ouedraogo
authors.forename: Rémy
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pasquet
authors.forename: Barry
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Pittendrigh
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Schaal
authors.forename: Jeff
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Stein
authors.forename: Manuele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tamò
authors.forename: Larry
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Murdock
mesh_terms: D000354:Africa, Western; D000818:Animals; D001413:Bacillus thuringiensis / Q000235:genetics; D000083722:Bacillus thuringiensis Toxins; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D018556:Crops, Agricultural / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development; D004731:Endotoxins / Q000235:genetics*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000379:methods; D007887:Fabaceae / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000469:parasitology; D015870:Gene Expression; D051456:Gene Flow; D006460:Hemolysin Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions; D006824:Hybridization, Genetic; D007313:Insecta / Q000502:physiology; D010572:Pest Control, Biological / Q000191:economics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000379:methods; D010935:Plant Diseases / Q000235:genetics / Q000469:parasitology; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000469:parasitology; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D000083722:Bacillus thuringiensis Toxins; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D004731:Endotoxins; D006460:Hemolysin Proteins; C030956:insecticidal crystal protein, Bacillus Thuringiensis