Publications by authors named "Juan Manuel de la Fuente Martinez"
Genetically modified (GM) maize has been grown and safely consumed on a global scale since its commercialization in 1996. However, questions have been raised about the potential impact that GM maize could have on native maize landraces in Mexico, which is the center of origin and diversity of maize. This research was conducted to evaluate potential changes to maize landraces in an unlikely event of transgene introgression.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPlant characterization of genetically modified maize hybrids MON-89Ø34-3 × MON-88Ø17-3, MON-89Ø34-3 × MON-ØØ6Ø3-6, and MON-ØØ6Ø3-6: alternatives for maize production in Mexico.
Oscar Heredia Díaz José Luis Aldaba Meza Baltazar M Baltazar Germán Bojórquez Bojórquez Luciano Castro Espinoza
Transgenic Res
February 2017
Article Synopsis
- Environmental risk assessment (ERA) evaluates whether genetically modified (GM) crops, specifically insect-resistant and herbicide-tolerant maize hybrids, could pose increased pest potential or environmental harm compared to conventional maize.
- Studies conducted across five ecoregions in Mexico from 2009-2013 showed no significant differences in aspects like stand count and lodging between GM hybrids and conventional maize, indicating minimal ecological risks.
- While some phenotypic differences were noted in seedling vigor and grain characteristics, these differences are not expected to lead to ecological risks, suggesting that the GM hybrids can effectively protect crops from insect damage without additional environmental concerns.
Article Synopsis
- Mexico is taking action to preserve its maize varieties and minimize gene flow between transgenic and conventional maize through spatial isolation.
- The study assessed outcrossing rates between yellow-kernel (transgenic) and white-kernel (conventional) maize at various distances, finding that outcrossing was highest (12.9%) at 1 meter and decreased significantly with distance.
- The results indicate that implementing spatial isolation can effectively reduce the risk of transgenic pollen contaminating local maize varieties in Mexico, supporting coexistence strategies used in other regions.