Government and Regulatory Affairs
Use of Transgenic Plants in Phytoremediation

From 2003 through 2005, USDA APHIS issued 7 permits for field tests of transgenic plants for phytoremediation. Although the agency ruled in 2004 that most such field tests would require permits rather than qualify for the notification process, the agency has not proven to be an obstacle to properly-prepared applications.  D. Glass Associates, Inc. can assist companies and academic investigators learn about or comply with regulation of field tests and commercial use of transgenic plants in the United States and elsewhere in the world.

On behalf of Applied PhytoGenetics, Inc., Dr. Glass led the effort to obtain four USDA release permits (Nos. 03-044-01r, 03-058-01r, 03-099-01r, 04-058-01r), three extensions of these permits, and related movement permits, for field tests of transgenic plants for the phytoremediation of mercury. Two field tests were conducted under these permits, one in Danbury, Connecticut and one in northern Alabama. Dr. Glass has also assisted another phytoremediation company obtain a permit for a transgenic field test.

David J. Glass has presented a platform presentation (April 1997 Battelle Bioremediation Symposium) and a poster session (June 1997 IBC Phytoremediation Conference) on the prospects for the use of transgenic plants in phytoremediation. More recently, Dr. Glass presented talks at the 2005 EPA Third International Phytotechnologies conference and the 2005 Department of Defense Partners in Environmental Technology conference describing Applied PhytoGenetics' success in obtaining permits for, and conducting, transgenic field tests for phytoremediation. Please contact D. Glass Associates for more information about these talks, or to obtain copies of Dr. Glass's presentation.

David J. Glass, Ph.D.
D. Glass Associates, Inc.
124 Bird Street
Needham, MA 02492
Phone (617) 653-9945
Fax (781) 449-8045
DGlassAssc@aol.com