Learning objectives
To give fundamental basics to understand the risk associatiated withe the introduction of transgenic organisms in the environment and to deepen the knowledge using several case studies <br />
Prerequisites
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Course unit content
<br />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 Scientists <br />
Full programme
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Bibliography
The class is based on the most recent scientific literature on this 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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