Risk assessment and regulation of RNAi pesticides in the context of genetically engineered plants

The elucidation of the mechanisms surrounding post-transcriptional gene silencing (PTGS) or RNA interference (RNAi) have opened the door to new uses for crop improvement and pest protection.  Although the use of RNAi technology in plants is similar to other applications of genetic engineering, the effects are mediated by sequence specific nucleic acids, rather than by proteins.  This talk presents the results of a conference convened by the Center for Environmental Risk Assessment to consider whether RNAi technology poses potential risks which are not amenable to the current risk assessment paradigm for GE plants.  Dr. Roberts will explain the use of risk assessment in regulation of GE plants, and provide insight into how this will likely impact the future of RNAi mediated pesticides.