Open AccessTransgenic Common Carp Do Not Have the Ability to Expand Populations
Author(s) -
Hao Liang,
Wei Hu,
Rong Huang,
Fukuan Du,
Lanjie Liao,
Zhu Zhang,
Yaping Wang
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
plos one
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.99
H-Index - 332
ISSN - 1932-6203
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pone.0065506
Subject(s) - biology , carp , cyprinus , common carp , juvenile , zoology , population , aquaculture , ecology , transgene , mating , reproduction , genetically modified organism , fishery , fish <actinopterygii> , gene , genetics , demography , sociology
The ecological safety of transgenic organisms is an important issue of international public and political concern. The assessment of ecological risks is also crucial for realizing the beneficial industrial application of transgenic organisms. In this study, reproduction of common carp ( Cyprinus carpio , CC) in isolated natural aquatic environments was analyzed. Using the method of paternity testing, a comparative analysis was conducted on the structure of an offspring population of “all-fish” growth hormone gene-transgenic common carp (af gh -CC) and of wild CC to evaluate their fertility and juvenile viability. Experimental results showed that in a natural aquatic environment, the ratio of comparative advantage in mating ability of af gh -CC over wild CC was 1∶1, showing nearly identical mating competitiveness. Juvenile viability of af gh -CC was low, and the average daily survival rate was less than 98.00%. After a possible accidental escape or release of transgenic CC into natural aquatic environments they are unable to monopolize resources from eggs of natural CC populations, leading to the extinction of transgenic CC. Transgenic CC are also unlikely to form dominant populations in natural aquatic environments due to their low juvenile viability. Thus, it is expected that the proportion of af gh -CC in the natural environment would remain low or gradually decline, and ultimately disappear.