Environmentalists Scorn the Terminator

April 19, 2002

A genetic plant sterilization technology known as the Terminator gene that is heralded by scientists as a possible solution to the ecological problem of gene drift is being scorned by environmentalists. The United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity, which is being held in The Hague this week, is examining the issue of whether plant sterility genes should be banned internationally. So far, India is the only nation to ban the technology, although the technology is not being used in any nation.

Purdue University bioethicist Paul Thompson says much of the opposition to plant sterilization technology is misplaced fury. "It's an issue that's not very well understood, and I think environmental groups haven't thought through the potential benefit of the gene," Thompson says. "The important thing that is being overlooked is that incorporating the gene is a good strategy for limiting the environmental impact of genetically modified plants."

William Muir, professor of animal sciences, has done extensive work on the ecological risk of introducing genetically modified plants and animals into the environment. Through his research, Muir and Rick Howard, professor of biology, have shown that if a genetically modified plant or animal has a reproductive advantage, such as being larger, it could become an invasive species or even drive the native population to extinction.

"Any ecosystem took billions of years to co-adapt to other species and become established," Muir says. "A major problem with maintaining such an ecosystem is the introduction of exotic plants and animals, as we see with the introduction of things such as zebra mussels and the gypsy moth."

He adds, "Genetically modified species are similar in many aspects to exotic species. Genetically modified organisms should only be introduced into wild ecosystems after extensive study of the risk and they are found to be safe. The so-called Terminator technology would bypass this hazard, and the downside of the technology is minor in comparison to the potential benefits."