Environmental Risk Assessment of Biotechnology-Derived Maize and Cotton in Mexico Which Is Their Center of Origin.

Mexico is the centre of origin for both maize and cotton and both have related species and landraces that need to be considered in an environmental risk assessment.  Environmental risk assessment is a process with two distinct elements: hazard (or consequence or harm) and exposure (or the likelihood of the hazard to occur).  The exposure component of the risk assessment considers the pollen-mediated gene flow and potential for introgression.  The consequences component involves the assessment of potential harm to genetic diversity, and non-target organisms or an increase in weediness or invasiveness of the crop or related species.  These consequences are considered for the biotechnology-derived crop plant and agronomic production practices (e.g. pesticides) relative to the conventional crop.  If mitigation measures are considered they are based on the potential risk (exposure and consequence) from the environmental risk assessment.