FIELD RELEASE AND ENVIRONMENTAL FATE OF A TRANSGENIC ENTOMOPATHOGENICNEMATODE

A strain of the entomopathogenic nematode Heterorhabditis bacteriophor a, genetically enhanced for thermotolerance by introduction of a heat- shock protein gene from the free-living nematode Caenorhabditis elegan s, was released in turfgrass field microplots in the spring, summer, a nd fall of 1996. As predicted, transgenic and wildtype strains did not differ in their ability to persist. We document the regulatory proced ures at the federal, state, university, and local levels needed before held release, none of which posed any significant difficulties. Our r isk assessment study supports the regulatory view that the transgenic nematode strain is an unlikely environmental threat. Subsequent regula tory reviews in the United States appear likely to continue to be deci ded on a case-by-case basis according to organism phenotype rather tha n the techniques used to generate them. This is the first report of a nonmicrobial, genetically engineered insect natural enemy being releas ed into the environment. (C) 1997 Academic Press.