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University of Parma
Course catalogue
Università degli Studi di Parma
course catalogue

ASSESSMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL RISK OF BIOTECHNOLOGY
cod. 1000037

Academic year 2008/09
2° year of course - First semester
Professor
Academic discipline
Ecologia (BIO/07)
Field
Ambito aggregato per crediti di sede
Type of training activity
Hub-specific activity
40 hours
of face-to-face activities
5 credits
hub:
course unit
in - - -
lectures timetable unavailable
exam calls
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Learning objectives

To give fundamental basics to understand the risk associated withe the introduct<br />
ion of transgenic organisms in the environment and to deepen the knowledge using<br />
 several case studies<br />

Prerequisites

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Course unit content

 1. Basic elements for environmental risk evaluation<br />
2. Essential Ecology<br />
3. Population biology of plants:<br />
(a) population dynamics<br />
(b) competition<br />
(c) herbivory<br />
4. Population genetics<br />
(a) Hardy-Weinberg<br />
(b) gene flow<br />
(c) Selection<br />
(d) genetic drift<br />
5. Methods for evaluate genetic variability<br />
6. Methods to estimate gene flow in plant populations<br />
7. Bio-diversity: levels and relationship with ecosistem functioning<br />
8. Biological invasions<br />
9. Environmental Risks associated with introduction of GMO in the<br />
environment:<br />
(a) Comparison between European and North American legislations<br />
(b) Herbicide resistance: effects on biodiversity (monarch batterfly)<br />
(c) Insect resistance<br />
(d) Effects of Bt on non target organisms<br />
(e) Managing sistems against Bt resistance<br />
(f) Gene flow on larg scale (Maize in Mexico)<br />
(g) Gene Flow on local scale<br />
(h) Horizontal gene flow<br />
(i) GMO fitness in natural environment<br />
(l) Potential environmental benefits of GMO<br />
(m) The case of transgenic salmons<br />
(o) The poinf of view of Greenpeace and Association of Concerned<br />
Scientists

Full programme

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Bibliography

The class is based on the most recent scientific literature on this<br />
field and changes every year<br />

Teaching methods

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Assessment methods and criteria

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Other information

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