Bt Brinjal The scope and adequacy of the GEAC environmental risk assessment

Characterisation of Transgene 15Characterisation of TransgeneGenetic Modification of Bt BrinjalConclusion 1. The EE-1 transgene needs to be characterised more fully to 1) demonstrate that there is onlyone functional or non-functional insert in Bt brinjal, 2) that the transgene expresses the intended Cry protein, 3)that it does not interrupt a functioning plant gene, 4) provide expression levels in additional plant tissues, and5) demonstrate empirically that the marker genes are not expressed in Bt brinjal.Bt brinjal EE-1 contains three transgenes:1. A chimeric Bt toxin gene which is formed from cry1Ac and cry1Ab, which should be called ccry1A (a chimeric cry1Agene).2. A kanamycin resistance gene nptII and3. A streptomycin resistance gene aad.Characterisation of the transgene involves describing the inserted transgene(s) and the expression of the inserted transgene(s).The transgene description focuses on the transgene as it exists inserted in the plant. A description of the inserted plasmid,the cassette, or the planned insertion is insufficient for risk assessment. The transgene description includes the number oftransgene inserts, the DNA sequence of the inserted transgene, and the DNA sequence of regions flanking the transgene.