Primer on Bioproducts - BIOCAP Canada

manufacturing. The group is, however, opposed to any “out-ofdoorsapplications,” arguing that the modified genes of fastgrowingtrees and disease-resistant crops may have adverseimpacts on natural ecosystems and could escape to becomeincorporated in the genomes of related plants.The Sierra Club of Canada argues that the conflict of interestinherent in government agencies that both promotebiotechnology (e.g., Industry Canada, Natural Resources Canada)and regulate biotechnology (e.g., Health Canada and the CanadianFood Inspection Agency) is another reason to consider thetechnology to be inherently risky to the environment and health.Reports issued by the Royal Society of Canada and the OntarioPublic Health Association in 2001 also criticized thebiotechnology regulatory system in Canada as being inadequateto deal with many of the scientific, social and ethical issuesassociated with genetically modified organisms. The Governmentof Canada has developed an action plan to address therecommendations in the Royal Society Report and has committedto producing reports on the progress of the action plan (www.hcsc.gc.ca/english/protection/novel_foods.html).Other Environmental ConsiderationsSome Concerns AboutGenetically ModifiedOrganisms (GMOs)• Genetically modified organisms(GMOs) could have unexpectedand possibly lasting effects onnatural ecosystems.• GMOs could lead to thedevelopment of super-weedsand super-pests (morepersistent plants andorganisms) leading toincreased or more toxicchemical use to try and containthem.• GMOs could lead to geneticcontamination of wild plants,as well as conventional andorganic crops.• GMOs could harm beneficialinsects and other animals.• GMOs could lead to loss ofbiodiversity.Adapted from www.greenpeace.ca.Much attention is being focused on whether bioproducts canpromise significant environmental benefits in addition to reducedenergy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. A recentreport by the US Department of Energy concludes that, ingeneral, a reduction in electricity generation, farming,transportation and the use of fossil fuels by industry could helpreduce smog and acid rain-related emissions (nitrogen oxides andsulphur oxides), as well as emissions of greenhouse gases, such asCO 2, that contribute to climate change.PRIMER ON BIOPRODUCTS51