Methodological lacunas: the need for new research and methods in risk assessment

The development of biotechnological techniques will allow the industry to p roduce transgenic plants with altered traits that may affect the chance of invasion and alter organism-interactions in natural communities. In order t o assess the hazards from these new transgenes, information on a wide range of subjects is required. It is essential that the most relevant research d ata are obtained quickly by the use of the most effective research methods available.