Streamlining Data Requirements for the Environmental Risk Assessment of Genetically Modified (GM) Crops for Cultivation Approvals

Abstract

Genetically modified (GM) crops have been cultivated safely for more than 25 years, and the framework for conducting an environmental risk assessment (ERA) is well-established. Currently, there is alignment of broadly-stated protection goals across global jurisdictions; however, there is a lack of consistency for the data that are required by regulators. Risk assessors have over 25 years of collective experience assessing the environmental safety of GM crops and have conducted hundreds of ERAs to evaluate GM crop safety. This experience provides a scientific basis to help determine which data informs the ERA, and which data does not inform the safety assessment. The goals of this paper are to: 1) define the process for identifying potential pathways to harm based on robust problem formulation; 2) provide an overview of data that inform the science-based ERA for cultivation approval; 3) provide examples of data that are routinely or occasionally required but do not inform the ERA; and 4) make recommendations for harmonization of global ERA data requirements. Refinement and harmonization of data requirements across global regulatory authorities will add transparency and predictability to the ERA of GM crops globally, while ensuring that each country's protection goals are respected. doi: 10.21423/jrs-v09i1anderson