Transgenic Organisms and Biosafety: Horizontal Gene Transfer, Stability of DNA, and Expression of Transgenes

In the fast developing field of gene and biotechnology the construction and use of transgenic organisms play an increasingly important role. A frequently asked question is whether these genetically modified organisms are safe if used either in laboratory containments or in the open field. This holds especiall true for the commercialization of transgenic organisms. An important aspect of "Biosafety" is the stability of transgenic DNA and the reliable expression of the transgene. A second aspect is the potential for horizontal gene transfer from transgenic to non-transgenic organisms. Most of the articles deal with these important questions. The book may thus contribute to the public debate about the biosafety of transgenic organisms by presenting original experimental data as well as theoretical considerations. Some of the contributions are useful reviews of the relevant literature. The book does not only contain academic research articles, a number of the reports are written by "practitioners" actually using gene technology in the pharmaceutical and agro-industries. Thus, the interested reader can find a broad range of information on purely academic questions as well as on problems which gene technology companies have to cope with when a transgenic organism is to be field-tested and commercialized.