Establishing a test system for Drosophila melanogaster to assess the non-target effects of genetically engineered plants

Ecosystem functioning might be affected by cultivation of genetically engineered (GE) plants through effects on non-target organisms contributing to important ecosystem services. The number of commercialized transgenic events and the cultivation areas are steadily increasing worldwide. Therefore, the careful execution of ecological risk assessments for new GE plants is crucial. Until now, only few studies assessed the potentially adverse effects of GE crops on the survival and fitness of dipteran species. This, despite the fact that Diptera play important roles in the agricultural ecosystem as predators, parasitoids, pollinators and decomposers. We propose Drosophila melanogaster Meigen 1830 (Drosophilidae) to be tested in the pre-market risk assessment as a surrogate species for the order of Diptera. We are developing two different study systems for this species to assess toxicity of insecticidal proteins and GE plant tissues. This involves the development of skills and experience with the handling of the study organism, the identification of suitable measurement endpoints and the standardization and validation of the tests using positive control compounds.