The purpose of this study was to record for the first time in Korea the presence of Melanoides tuberculata (an invasive alien species), which was confirmed during the “National Survey on the Status of Alien Species” in Jukdang stream (also known as Guppy Stream, located in Icheon, Gyeonggi Province), which is affected by the year-round discharge of heated effluent from a large semiconductor factory and where various tropical organisms, including ornamental fish, appear due to artificial release. A Total of 52 specimens were collected, and they can be visually distinguished from native melanian snails by their reddish-brown flames and spots. Genetic analysis further confirmed the species as Melanoides tuberculate. Melanoides tuberculata typically inhabits tropical climates, but its presence has been confirmed in altered aquatic environments such as Jukdang stream, where the water temperature remains warm even in a temperate climate. This indicates the need for further monitoring of domestic streams with similar conditions, particularly those receiving heated effluent, like Jukdang stream. Additionally, due to its strong reproductive capacity, including parthenogenesis, and its adaptability to various environments, there have been cases where the populations of Pomacea lineata and Aylacostoma tenuilabris have declined. This suggests that Melanoides tuberculata may have a competitive advantage in interspecific competition, potentially suppressing native species populations if it spreads within the domestic ecosystem. Melanoides tuberculata serves as an intermediate host for parasites that can cause diseases in both humans and animals, raising public health concerns in many countries. There is also a significant risk that it could be mistaken for native melanian snail species and consumed, which necessitates a high level of caution.

생명공학 기술의 발달로 산업적으로 이용 가치가 높은LMO를 만들기 위해 끊임없는 노력이 이뤄지고 있다. 이러한다양한 시도로 인하여 향후 상용화될 LMO에 대한 위해성 평가와 안전관리는 지속적으로 보완 발전되어야 한다. 본 논문에서는 현재 우리나라에서 이뤄지고 있는 LMO 생태계 안전관리 위해성 심사 과정을 조명하였다. LMO의 생태계위해성심사는 LMO법에 따른 통합고시 별표 10-1에 명시된 항목에근거하여 수행하고 있다. 평가 자료의 위해성 심사 영역은 자연환경위해성을 평가하기 위하여 생물종 위해성 판단 영역, 도입유전자 위해성 판단 영역, 주변 생태계 영향 판단 영역으로나누어 진행하고 있다. 최근 신기술 개발에 따른 LMO 심사의 범위와 항목에 여러 제약이 존재한다. 따라서 생태계 위해성 안전관리를 위해 신기술로 생산된 LMO에 대한 다각적인논의가 필요할 것으로 사료된다.