Navigator Compas™ system in canola—A brief review

This review describes the discovery of a prokaryotic gene conferring tolerance to the broad spectrum, broadleaf herbicide bromoxynil, the development of chimeric genes suited to eukaryotic organisms, the transformation of broadleaf plants with several versions of the bromoxynil tolerance chimeric genes and the selection of the best constructs and inserts (events) in Brassica napus. This review further describes the use of the pRPA-BL-235 bromoxynil tolerance construct in canola cultivar development and commercial bromoxynil tolerant canola (Navigator Compas™) production in Canada. Regulatory aspects involved in the development and commercialization of a new chimeric gene crop in Canada are reviewed. Finally, the steps taken to remove bromoxynil tolerant canola from breeding programs, commercial production, the environment and the market are reviewed.