A Meta-Analysis of Effects of Bt Cotton and Maize on Nontarget Invertebrates

@article{Marvier2007AMO,
  title={A Meta-Analysis of Effects of Bt Cotton and Maize on Nontarget Invertebrates},
  author={Michelle A. Marvier and Chanel McCreedy and James Regetz and Peter Kareiva},
  journal={Science},
  year={2007},
  volume={316},
  pages={1475 - 1477}
}
Although scores of experiments have examined the ecological consequences of transgenic Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) crops, debates continue regarding the nontarget impacts of this technology. Quantitative reviews of existing studies are crucial for better gauging risks and improving future risk assessments. To encourage evidence-based risk analyses, we constructed a searchable database for nontarget effects of Bt crops. A meta-analysis of 42 field experiments indicates that nontarget… 
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No uniform effects of Bt cotton, maize and potato on the functional guilds of non-target arthropods are found and the importance of using controls not only to isolate the effects of a Bt crop per se but also to reflect the replacement of existing agricultural practices is highlighted.
Database of non-target invertebrates recorded in field experiments of genetically engineered Bt maize and corresponding non-Bt maize
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TLDR
The effects of Bt maize on the community of non-target invertebrates inhabiting maize fields were small and mostly neutral, especially when compared with the effects of broad-spectrum pyrethroid insecticide treatments.
Impacts of Bt crops on non-target invertebrates and insecticide use patterns
TLDR
The efficacy of Bt maize and cotton against major pest species has been associated with an estimated 136.6million kg global reduction in insecticide active ingredient used between 1996 and 2006 (29.9% reduction).
Selection of Nontarget Arthropod Taxa for Field Research on Transgenic Insecticidal Crops: Using Empirical Data and Statistical Power
TLDR
Analysis of control data from several nontarget field trials using repeated-measures designs suggests that while detection of small effects may require considerable increases in replication, there are taxa from different ecological roles that are sampled effectively using standard methods.
The effect of Bt crops on soil invertebrates: a systematic review and quantitative meta-analysis.
TLDR
Review and analyze a selection of studies on Protista, nematodes, Collembola, mites, enchytraeids, and earthworms systematically to empower the evidence for asking the question whether population abundances and biomasses of soil invertebrates are changed by Bt crops compared to conventional crops.
Assessment of risk of insect-resistant transgenic crops to nontarget arthropods
TLDR
An international initiative is developing a scientifically rigorous approach to evaluate the potential risks to nontarget arthropods posed by insect-resistant, genetically modified (IRGM) crops to provide guidance to regulatory agencies that are currently developing their own NTA risk assessment guidelines for IRGM crops.
Review: biosafety assessment of Bt rice and other Bt crops using spiders as example for non-target arthropods in China
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This review summarizes and analyzes evidences for non-target effects of Bt rice on spiders, major predators in rice fields, and raises questions and provides recommendations for promising further research.
Application of Meta-analysis in the Safety Assessments of Transgenic Crops
TLDR
Here the concept and procedure of meta-analysis and its application in the safety assessment of transgenic crops are introduced and the limitation ofMeta-analysis is recognized, which may promote a wide application ofmeta-analysis in the future.
Effects of GM Crops on Non-target Organisms
TLDR
A body of evidence and the quantitative and qualitative syntheses of the data through meta-analysis and other compilations generally indicate a lack of direct impacts of Bt crops on non-target macro-invertebrates, and data clearly show that BT crops are much safer to non- target organisms than the alternative use of traditional insecticides.
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