Assessing the impact of transgenic plant products on soil organisms

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Abstract
Little is known about the impact of transgenic plant products on soil organisms. However, previous research with synthetic organics, allelochemicals, and extracellular enzymes can be used to guide future research in this area. Projects designed to quantify the impact of transgenic plants on soil organisms must clearly establish that the gene products are responsible for any observed changes. This can only be achieved by determining the fate of transgenic plant gene products during the period of the soil bioassay. The overall impact of transgenic plants will be dictated by not only the primary gene product, but secondary products resulting from abiotic and biotic soil reactions. Primary and secondary products may exhibit both acute and chronic impacts. Such impacts are best quantified using a soil microcosm in which fungal populations and micro‐ and mesofauna are monitored.