RNAi based biopesticides are a growing area of interest with respect to crop protection strategies. Regulatory authorities generally classify RNAi based biopesticides as either exogenously applied agents that control pests (dsRNA is evaluated like a biochemical pesticide) or as substances produced endogenously by plants (classified as plant-incorporated protectants or PIPs). In both cases an environmental risk assessment is needed for registration. Key components of any environmental risk assessment include toxicity information for various non-target species of concern and potential exposure levels. There is currently limited information available related to RNAi interference that addresses these components of the risk assessment. PIP based RNAi biopesticides can be evaluated like other GMO traits such as Bt.  Exogenous dsRNA can be evaluated like biochemical pesticides. Exogenous dsRNA is generally regarded as safer than chemically produced conventional pesticides. Organisms in fact consume naturally occurring dsRNA as part of their normal plant diets. As such, the regulatory requirements for registration may be less stringent than for PIPs or for conventional pesticides. The recent advent of exogenous RNAi biopesticides has blurred the registration requirements. Registration of exogenous RNAi biopesticides may very well require a new paradigm. This presentation will focus on the testing needed to understand the metabolism and environmental fate of dsRNA and subsequent analytical methodologies to determine residues that may remain in the treated crops or the environment.<br/>

RNAi - Registration requirements for risk assessment inputs

256th National Meeting (2018)

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