BioSafety, Volume 3, Paper 7 (BY97007) 1997
Online Journal - URL: http://www.bdt.org.br/bioline/by
Risks and Safety of Insecticides: chemicals vs. natural and
recombinant viral pesticides
H. Alan Wood
Date received: June 5th 1997
Date accepted: July 10th 1997
Date published: July 15th 1997
Code Number: BY97007
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ABSTRACT
Health safety and environmental problems associated with chemical
pesticides are currently being addressed world-wide through changes in
regulatory policies. The resulting increased costs associated with the
development and commercialization of chemical pesticides has created a
renewed interest in biopesticide products. While most biopesticide
technologies are currently judged as safe, their marginal commercial
efficacy (cost/benefit ratios) has slowed their development. Recombinant
DNA technologies have recently been used to improve the pesticidal
properties of several biopesticides, particularly the viral insecticides
and entomopathogenic nematodes. It is considered, however, that the
recombinant biopesticides may not share all of the inherent safety
associated with naturally occurring biopesticides. In the absence of
clear understanding of the risks associated with the commercialization of
recombinant pesticides, genetic engineering strategies have been developed
to circumvent potential environmental problems.
Keywords: pesticide, biosafety, baculovirus, nematodes, biological
control
Copyright remains with the author.
Published by Bioline Publications.
