Review on the risk assessment of transgenic plant

By the end of the year 2010, more than 148 million ha were under the cultivation of transgenic plants and it is expected that in future, genetic engineering will revolutionize transgenic plants industry. Parallel with the introduction of any new technologies, concerns are raised about the safe use and deployment of that new technology. Concerns have also been about the safety of that new technology are raised. In addition, concerns have been increased about the potential negative impact of commercialization of genetically modified (GM) plants. These concerns have several different causes that are not being addressed in this article. Response to these concerns however is the main objective of this paper. Risk assessment is a process that aplies the current knowledge to estimate future harms or benefits arising from direct or indirect contact with a GM plant or its genes. This article considers GM plants in the context of risk assessment principles, research results, and current regulatory frameworks. Risk assessments have usually emphasized on the human health, environment and agriculture. This article may be useful for biotechnologists, biosafety specialists, and regulatory authorities.