Gene flow among maize landraces, improved maize varieties, and teosinte: Implications for transgenic maize

Abstract

Proceedings of a forum organized by the Mexican National Institute of Forestry, Agriculture and Livestock Research (INIFAP), the Mexican National Agricultural Biosafety Committee (CNBA), and the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) and held at CIMMYT headquarters, E1 Batan, Mexico, in September 1995, the publication carries presentations and discussions involving some 20 biotech and genetic resource specialists-including Mexican and invited foreign experts-on the distribution of teosinte in Mexico, the frequency and intensity of gene flow between maize and teosinte, the flow of genes from improved maize to landraces, and regulations and risk assessment for the release of transgenic maize in the center of origin of this crop and teosinte. The publication is targeted to researchers in genetic engineering, private seed company representatives, policymakers in Mexico and other countries wherein are found centers of genetic origin for crop species, and farmers who may eventually wish to sow transgenic seed.