Effects of Genetically Engineered Microorganisms on Microbial Populations and Processes in Natural Habitats

Publisher This chapter discusses the effects of genetically engineered microorganisms on microbial populations and process in natural habitats. The chapter illustrates that there is a relatively limited number of studies on the survival of and gene transfer by genetically engineered microorganisms (GEMs) in natural environments. In addition, few studies are conducted on the effects of non-engineered microorganisms introduced to the environment, for example biocontrol agents, rhizobia for dinitrogen fixation, pure cultures and consortia for the degradation of xenobiotics and other aspects of bioremediation, and coal scrubbing. The chapter explores that the fundamental concern in the release to the environment of microorganisms, whether genetically altered or not, should be the potential ecological effects of these releases. The effects that GEMs may have on the structure and function of an ecosystem can also be affected by their mode of introduction, their spatial and temporal distribution, and the physicochemical and biological characteristics of the environment to which they are released. The chapter discusses the brief review and evaluation of the few studies that have been conducted on the ecological effects of the release of GEMs to aquatic and terrestrial environments are presented, to illustrate the current, and inadequate, state of knowledge on the potential impacts of GEMs on the environment.