David HildebrandPlant Physiology, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Crop ScienceNutritional Sciences

Agronomy DepartmentUniversity of Kentucky

Development of Crop Plants - HistoryDevelopment of Crop Plants - History• Domestication of crops• We have been modifying our crops

for 10,000 years through Selection.• All crops we grow today have

undergone extensive genetic change from their wild ancestors.

• Crops, strains and genes have moved around the globe.

Teosinte Hybrids Modern Corn

Teosinte Hybrids Modern Corn

Domestication ofDomestication ofcorn creating a corn creating a new species in the new species in the process – process – Zea maysZea mays

Domestication ofDomestication ofcorn creating a corn creating a new species in the new species in the process – process – Zea maysZea mays

Thanks to C.S. Prakash for some of the pictures on this and the next couple of slides.Thanks to C.S. Prakash for some of the pictures on this and the next couple of slides.

Improving Our Crop PlantsImproving Our Crop Plants

• Developing Modern Varieties of Crops– Hybridization

• Crosses with Wild Relatives• Hybrids

– Mutation • Irradiation• Chemicals

– Cell Culture• Embryo Rescue• Somaclonal variation

Chihuahuas and Great DanesChihuahuas and Great Danes……Products of Modern BreedingProducts of Modern Breeding

Modern Genetic ModificationModern Genetic ModificationInserting one or few genes to achieve

desired traits.

GM CropsGM Crops– Relatively SpecificRelatively Specific

– Changes are SubtleChanges are Subtle

– Allows FlexibilityAllows Flexibility

– ExpeditiousExpeditious

Are “genetically modified” GM crops Are “genetically modified” GM crops and foods new?and foods new?

Not in the general sense.Not in the general sense.

We have been genetically modifying We have been genetically modifying plants and animals for a very long plants and animals for a very long time or since the dawn of civilization! time or since the dawn of civilization! Most all our crop plants are Most all our crop plants are extensively genetically modified extensively genetically modified compared to their wild relatives.compared to their wild relatives..

Are “genetically modified” GM Are “genetically modified” GM crops and foods new?crops and foods new?Members of the same genus or species of corn Members of the same genus or species of corn ((Zea maysZea mays) or soybeans () or soybeans (Glycine maxGlycine max) do not ) do not even exist in the wild.even exist in the wild.Modern bread wheat is a mixture of recombined Modern bread wheat is a mixture of recombined genes from 3 different wild species and the genes from 3 different wild species and the strawberry you buy in stores is a mixture of strawberry you buy in stores is a mixture of genes from 2 species.genes from 2 species.

All of these major crop species are a result All of these major crop species are a result of human directed genetic modification of of human directed genetic modification of the original wild organisms.the original wild organisms.

The domestication of animals has also been The domestication of animals has also been accompanied by extensive human-directed accompanied by extensive human-directed genetic modification. This is exemplified with genetic modification. This is exemplified with the domestic dog, the domestic dog, Canis familiarisCanis familiaris..

Modern genetics including genomics Modern genetics including genomics indicates that all domestic dogs are indicates that all domestic dogs are originally derived from the wolf, originally derived from the wolf, Canis lupusCanis lupus. Thus the Siberian . Thus the Siberian Husky and Mexican Chihuahua are Husky and Mexican Chihuahua are derived from the same original specie derived from the same original specie with the only difference being the with the only difference being the extent of the genetic modification!extent of the genetic modification!

Traditional Breeding

Crossing individuals with desirableCrossing individuals with desirablecharacteristics (e.g. yield) and selecting among characteristics (e.g. yield) and selecting among the progeny. Genes recombine in a randomthe progeny. Genes recombine in a randomfashion and finding superior progeny has been fashion and finding superior progeny has been as much art as science. Needs excellent as much art as science. Needs excellent management since it’s a numbers game and management since it’s a numbers game and genotype often masked by environmental genotype often masked by environmental influences.influences.

Traditional Breeding

Crossing individuals with desirableCrossing individuals with desirablecharacteristics (e.g. yield) and selecting among characteristics (e.g. yield) and selecting among the progeny. Genes recombine in a randomthe progeny. Genes recombine in a randomfashion and finding superior progeny has been fashion and finding superior progeny has been as much art as science. Needs excellent as much art as science. Needs excellent management since it’s a numbers game and management since it’s a numbers game and genotype often masked by environmental genotype often masked by environmental influences.influences.

For specific characteristics such as fatty acid % of oil, naturally For specific characteristics such as fatty acid % of oil, naturally occurring mutants screened for and if not found induced by occurring mutants screened for and if not found induced by chemical mutagenesis or irradiation.chemical mutagenesis or irradiation.

For specific characteristics such as fatty acid % of oil, naturally For specific characteristics such as fatty acid % of oil, naturally occurring mutants screened for and if not found induced by occurring mutants screened for and if not found induced by chemical mutagenesis or irradiation.chemical mutagenesis or irradiation.

Various new breeding tools have been Various new breeding tools have been developed to assist breeding in the last developed to assist breeding in the last 50 years. 50 years. Mutagenesis is one such Mutagenesis is one such technique that has been utilized in the technique that has been utilized in the breeding of many of the food plants breeding of many of the food plants developed in the last decade. Crops developed in the last decade. Crops produced this way are considered produced this way are considered GMOs. Modern biotechnology GMOs. Modern biotechnology provides a new tool for breeding provides a new tool for breeding plants and animals with much greater plants and animals with much greater precision.precision.

Various new breeding tools have been Various new breeding tools have been developed to assist breeding in the last developed to assist breeding in the last 50 years.50 years. Mutagenesis is one such Mutagenesis is one such technique that has been utilized in the technique that has been utilized in the breeding of many of the food plants breeding of many of the food plants currently utilized. Crops produced currently utilized. Crops produced this way are considered GMOs. this way are considered GMOs. Modern biotechnology provides a new Modern biotechnology provides a new tool for breeding plants and animals tool for breeding plants and animals with much greater precision.with much greater precision.

Various new breeding tools have been Various new breeding tools have been developed to assist breeding in the last developed to assist breeding in the last 50 years. Mutagenesis is one such 50 years. Mutagenesis is one such technique that has been utilized in the technique that has been utilized in the breeding of many of the food plants breeding of many of the food plants developed in the last decade. developed in the last decade. Modern Modern biotechnology provides a new tool for biotechnology provides a new tool for breeding plants and animals with breeding plants and animals with much greater precision.much greater precision.

How do GE crops differ from How do GE crops differ from conventionally derived varieties conventionally derived varieties or hybrids?or hybrids?

Conventional:Conventional:

Wide Hybridization introduces Wide Hybridization introduces 20,000 to 100,000 potentially 20,000 to 100,000 potentially negative genes in order to obtain negative genes in order to obtain one desirable disease resistance one desirable disease resistance gene. gene. Induced mutagenesis has been Induced mutagenesis has been used for decades to createused for decades to creategenetic variants.genetic variants.

Genetic Engineering:Genetic Engineering:Introduce one (or a few) foreign Introduce one (or a few) foreign “good” genes into the best accepted “good” genes into the best accepted cultivar background.cultivar background.

Genetic Engineering:Genetic Engineering:Introduce one (or a few) foreign “good” genes into the best accepted cultivar background.The main thing that is new with The main thing that is new with genetic engineering is that species genetic engineering is that species barriers can now readily be bridged.barriers can now readily be bridged.

Genetic Engineering:Genetic Engineering:Introduce one (or a few) foreign “good” genes into the best accepted cultivar background.The main thing that is new with genetic engineering is that species barriers can now readily be bridged.This opens new opportunities and This opens new opportunities and depending on how it is depending on how it is used requires used requires new safeguards.new safeguards.

The Underlying Science of The Underlying Science of Genetic EngineeringGenetic Engineering

Restriction Enzymes & Recombinant DNARestriction Enzymes & Recombinant DNA

Gene Discovery, Isolation and CloningGene Discovery, Isolation and Cloning

Move Foreign Gene or Transgene from Any Move Foreign Gene or Transgene from Any Organism to Any Other OrganismOrganism to Any Other Organism

KEY ELEMENT OF KEY ELEMENT OF BIOTECHNOLOGY/ BIOTECHNOLOGY/

GENETIC ENGINEERINGGENETIC ENGINEERING

Can Use Recombinant DNA Can Use Recombinant DNA Methods To Move A Gene From Methods To Move A Gene From Any Organism To Any Other Any Organism To Any Other OrganismOrganism

What is What is Recombinant Recombinant DNA?DNA?

DNA_Extraction.swf

Gene Cloning

Agrobacteriumtumefaciens

A. tumefaciens

Chromosome

T-DNA

Ti plasmid

T-DNA

ChromosomalDNA

CrownGall

Plant crown gall tissue Plant crown gall tissue naturally transgenicnaturally transgenic

Plant chromosomescontaining T-DNA

How Do You Introduce How Do You Introduce a Foreign Gene into a Foreign Gene into

a Recipient Organisma Recipient Organism??

Overview

Methods Used to Date for Plant Transformation

Agrobacterium tumefaciens and rhizogenesGene Gun Microprojectiles (PDS)

Electroporation of protoplastsMicroinjectionPollen Tube PathwaySilica Carbide fibersMicrolaser

Viruses [some native genes replaced]

plasmid Desired DNA

Recombinantplasmid Agrobacterium

tumefaciens containing WtTi plasmid

A. tumefaciens containingengineered Ti plasmid

Plant cellinoculated withA. tumefaciens

Plant cell containing Desired DNA

Cultured plant cells

Regenerant

Adult plant expressingdesired trait (DNA)

Inserting foreign genes into plant cells. A plasmid containing DNA is cut with a restriction enzyme & DNA of desired gene (red) inserted. Desired gene then inserted into Ti (tumor-inducing) plasmid naturally found in A. tumefaciens. Plant cell inoculated with A. tumefaciens containing engineered Ti plasmid + the desired DNA transfers desired DNA + t-DNA into plant chromosomes. Plantlets with desired trait then regenerated.

The Gene Gun

PDS1000 Microparticle Delivery System

Helium chamber

Rupture disk

Macrocarrier

DNA coated gold particle

Stopping screen

Focusing device

Target tissue

Gene gunFrom Collins labFrom Collins lab

Biolistic Transformation

Before impact

DNA coated gold particle

After impact

During impact

?

Plant Cell Wall

How do Genes do Their Job?

GENE EXPRESSION

DNA

Transcription

mRNA

Translation

Protein

Product A Product B

Structural Gene

Enzyme (Protein)

Roundup Ready CropsRoundup Ready Crops

Monsanto web page:Monsanto web page:

C

O-

O

OH

OH

O

Pi

C

O-

O

O

OH

O

Pi

C

CH2

C

O-

O

C

Pi

C

O-

O

CH2

+

CH2

Pi

C

O-

O

NH

+ Pi

Roundup (Glyphosate) is a very strong inhibitor of EPSPRoundup (Glyphosate) is a very strong inhibitor of EPSP11 Synthase.Synthase.

GlyphosateGlyphosate

Shikimate3-phosphate

EPSPEPSPPEPPEP

11EPSP = 5-ENOLPYRUVYLSHIKIMATE 3-PHOSPHATEEPSP = 5-ENOLPYRUVYLSHIKIMATE 3-PHOSPHATE

Phe, Trp, Tyr

Sulfonylurea Tolerant Soybeans - STS -Sulfonylurea Tolerant Soybeans - STS -

These cultivars are resistant to certain sulfonyl ureas (SUs), a These cultivars are resistant to certain sulfonyl ureas (SUs), a family of herbicides which are most effective against broadleaf family of herbicides which are most effective against broadleaf weeds. STS herbicides used over soybean varieties that have the weeds. STS herbicides used over soybean varieties that have the STS gene offer the benefit of using broad spectrum sulfonylurea STS gene offer the benefit of using broad spectrum sulfonylurea broadleaf herbicides without injuring young soybean plants. broadleaf herbicides without injuring young soybean plants.

Labeled sulfonylurea herbicides include Synchrony STS¹, Reliance Labeled sulfonylurea herbicides include Synchrony STS¹, Reliance STS¹, Classic¹, Pinnacle¹, Canopy¹, Canopy XL¹ and Concert¹. STS¹, Classic¹, Pinnacle¹, Canopy¹, Canopy XL¹ and Concert¹.

The STS gene was incorporated into soybean germplasm using The STS gene was incorporated into soybean germplasm using conventional breeding methods. conventional breeding methods.

SU tolerant gene induced by EMS mutagenesis (US patent # SU tolerant gene induced by EMS mutagenesis (US patent # 5,084,082).5,084,082).

Bx breeding

SUs inhibit the essential plant enzyme acetolactateSUs inhibit the essential plant enzyme acetolactatesynthase or ALS. Animals do not have ALS.synthase or ALS. Animals do not have ALS.

Mechanism of action of SUsMechanism of action of SUs

-keto butyrate

pyruvate

acetolactate

ALS

isoleucine

CO2

HC

HC

CH2

CH3

O-

O

O HC

C

CH

CH3

O-

O

OH

HC

HC

CH3

O-

O

O

O

H2CH3C

HC

HC

CH

CH2

O-

O

NH2

CH3

H3C

Bt cropsBt crops

Grower AdvantagesGrower Advantages

GM crops on the market today do not directly increase& can decrease costs to farmers.

According to Kline & Company corn pesticides can be reduced as much as 70% when growers use GM corn. This can save growers > $200 million/yr in pesticide costs. Also EPA

EPA: "The average net benefit of $3.31 per acre on 19.75 million acres of Bt corn planted in 1999 (a year of low corn borer pressure) leads to the national estimate of $65.4 million." The net benefit to sweet corn producers was calculated at $5.38 per acre in 1999.

Plant Incorporated Pesticides (PIP’s)Plant Incorporated Pesticides (PIP’s)Scientists in industry and academia have been developing corn and soybean lines that produce their own natural insecticides to resist insect losses. Since 1996, six types of Bt corn have been commercialized to protect against attack by European and southwestern corn borer. Other types of Bt corn are being evaluated that prevent losses to corn rootworm, black cutworm, and fall armyworm.

Transgenic virus resistant papaya: Transgenic virus resistant papaya: Main hope for controlling papaya Main hope for controlling papaya ringspot virus in Hawaii ringspot virus in Hawaii

From a DuPont WebpageFrom a DuPont Webpage

Zygotic embryoZygotic embryo Somatic Embryo Somatic Embryo (SE)(SE)

Blue SEs expressing introduced GUS geneBlue SEs expressing introduced GUS gene

Soybean EngineeringSoybean Engineering

HH22OO

NN22

COCO22

hh

CHCH33(CH(CH22))nnCOORCOOR

Fatty Acid BiosynthesisFatty Acid BiosynthesisC2

C4

C18:1

KAS III

KAS II

18:1(PC)

18:2

18:3

-12 DS

plastid

C16 CoA

-9 DS

AT

oilbody

TGTG

C16

C18

TE

KAS I

18:1 CoA

TE

TE C18 CoA

ER

A much higher linolenic acid (18:3) content would enhance the drying characteristics of soybean oil such as in printing inks.

New molecular techniques have provided the most efficient method to accomplish this.

As Expected, Developing Flax seeds have much higher 3 Desaturase Activity than Soybean or Arabidopsis.

14C-18:2

14C-18:3

14C-18:2

Arabi-dopsis

Flax2 mg

Flax4 mg

Soy26 mg

Soy90 mg

In vivo 3 Desaturase Activity Measurement

Significance of Epoxy FASignificance of Epoxy FA

Plant defense Physical, chemical?

Industrial Uses Epoxy coatings

Plasticizers oil-based paints

adhesives

high performance composites, etc.

Soybean SeedSoybean Seed

40% Protein

Animal Feed, etc.

20% Oil

Edible Oil Products,Limited Industrial Use

Stokesia laevisVernonia galamensis

Engineering Soybeans for Epoxy Fatty Engineering Soybeans for Epoxy Fatty Acid AccumulationAcid Accumulation

Take genes from wild plant(s) with high epoxy fatty acid Take genes from wild plant(s) with high epoxy fatty acid accumulation accumulation

in seed oil and put in commercial oilseed such as soybeans.in seed oil and put in commercial oilseed such as soybeans.

Maize Cantaloupe Wheat Carnation Plum Trees Chrysanthemum

Potato Flax Mellon Eggplant Grape Cranberry

Tomato Chicory Petunia Strawberry Spruce Oilseed Rape

Soybean Rice Cucumber Barley Cabbage Sweet Potato

Cotton Poplar Apple Peanut Trefoil Fodder Rape

Mustard Squash Cauliflower Eucalyptus Kiwi

Tobacco Sunflower Sugarcane Carrot Rose

Sugar Beet Rapeseed Sweetgum Serviceberry Papaya

Alfalfa Birch Walnut Pepper Asparagus

Canola Lettuce Raspberry Fescue Watermelon

Some GE Plants in Field Trials

From Collins labFrom Collins lab

Other8%

Product Quality

24%

Herbicide Resistance

30%

Fungal Resistance

3%

Insect Resistance

21%

Viral Resistance

14%

What’s Being Tested(US field releases, cumulative since 1987

SOURCE: US DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

From Collins labFrom Collins lab

Our new century is predicted to be the “Century of Biology” as the last century was the “Century of Chemistry & Physics”. Until ~ 100 years ago most building materials, everyday materials in the home, fuels and clothing came from our farms and forests. In the last century we have seen a major shift to such materials coming from petrochemicals rather than plants and animals. Petrochemicals come from what were once plants and animals but are not a readily renewable resource. Now with modern technology, particularly biotechnology, we can derive more and more of the materials humankind needs in the future from plants and animals produced by our farmers. Thus in the future, farmers should play an increasingly vital role in our economic prosperity in addition to their essential role in food production.

http://www.ca.uky.edu/agbiotechnology/

From our state government leaders to our state universities, Kentucky is working to be a significant player in this “new economy”. Biotechnology has already spawned a number of new companies in KY (see URL below for a list):

http://www.biokentucky.com/

What has happened to the farmer’s share of the food dollar?

1999: 20.6%, 2000: 19.9%, 2001: 21%, 2002e: 20%

Adding value to crops can reduce or reverse this trendAdding value to crops can reduce or reverse this trend

What is the Future of Biotechnology?

Value AddedExtended UsesGenomicsBioinformaticsDiagnosticsSustainability/EnvironmentAcceptance

Biotechnology Industrial Areas

AgriculturePharmaceuticalsHealth CareFoodEnergyEnvironment

Harvesting Tobacco Biomass for Pharmaceutical Production

See: The Kentucky Tobacco Research and Development Center

http://www.uky.edu/KTRDC

See: The Kentucky Tobacco Research and Development Center

http://www.uky.edu/KTRDC

Tobacco Plants Produce Cancer Vaccine

Non-Hodgkin’s B-cell lymphoma is the most prevalent form of lymphoma, a malignancy which affects the lymph system and is the sixth most common cause of cancer-related deaths in the US. Researchers have now established that a therapeutic vaccine protein produced by modified tobacco plants is effective in preventing the growth of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma cells - at least in laboratory mice. Eighty percent of the mice receiving the vaccine survived the lymphoma, while untreated mice died within three weeks after contracting the disease.

As reported in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the work was a collaborative effort between scientists at Stanford and Biosource Technologies, based in Vacaville, Calif. The researchers removed malignant B cells from laboratory mice, and then isolated the gene coding for the surface markers specific to those cells. They inserted the gene into a tobacco mosaic virus, and exposed tobacco plants to the virus. As the virus spread through the tobacco leaves, the plants produced the desired B-cell protein, which was extracted and injected into mice which had received lethal dosages of tumor cells.

Biosource hopes to begin clinical trials of the vaccine in humans within a year, if the vaccine passes necessary safety tests. To speed development, the company launched a new division called Biosource Antigenics to focus initially on the vaccine. Robert Erwin, CEO of Biosource, says that the plant-based expression system has proven itself to be faster than other technologies for producing effective vaccines. He says the Antigenics division will use high-throughput robotics to provide human and animal health vaccines companies with a means to rapidly prototype lead vaccine designs.

Source: AgBiotech Reporter - February 1999

Fields of ... brown. Improving the drought tolerance of corn could make dried-out crops like this one a thing of the past.

CREDIT: RICHARD HAMILTON SMITH/CORBISS

New Ways to Protect Drought-Stricken PlantsNew Ways to Protect Drought-Stricken Plants

Anne Simon Moffat. Science 296:1226-1229, May 17 2002.

With drought an ever-present threat, researchers are identifying genes that can help plants tolerate arid conditions in hopes of using them to produce hardier crops.

Tomato plants carrying a foreign gene that protects their cells from salt-induced dehydration thrive in a 200-mM salt solution, whereas unaltered plants wither.

CREDITS: E. BLUMWALD/UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS

Studies have shown that ethanol:Studies have shown that ethanol: 

Reduces tailpipe carbon monoxide emissions by as much as 30% Reduces exhaust VOC (volatile organic compounds) emissions by 12% Reduces toxic emissions by 30% Reduces particulate matter (PM) emissions by more than 25% (Particulate matter has been found to penetrate deeply into human lungs.)

Corn can be genetically engineered to improve the efficiency of ethanol production.

+

+

From Collins labFrom Collins lab

fbi.gov/programs/lab/labhome.htmFrom Collins labFrom Collins lab

                      

          Researchers test a pilot-scale system for using vegetation in soil

remediation.

Welcome PageThe Hazardous Substance Research Center/South and Southwest is a competitively awarded, peer-reviewed research consortium led by

Louisiana State University with the cooperation of the Georgia Institute of Technology and Rice University to address critical hazardous substance problems, especiallyas they relate to contaminated sediments.The South & Southwest Center was established in October 1991 under Section 311(d) of CERCLA to conduct research and technology transfer designed to promote risk-based management and control of hazardous substances for the nation and regions 4 and 6 the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The contaminated sediments and dredged materials of concern contain organics, metals, and conventional pollutants. These environmental contaminants are either suspended in the water column or stored on the bottom of rivers, bayous, lakes, harbors, estuaries, freshwater wetlands, and in ocean waters of the continental shelf. Research theme areas include:

www.hsrc.org/hsrc/html/ssw/

From Collins labFrom Collins lab

Issue: Impact on non-target organisms

There has been much media attention given to the potential impact of GM crops on non- target organisms. An ideal pest control tactic would be one that controls the pest, but does not harm other non-target organisms in any way. Non-target organisms include all organisms except for the pest to be controlled.  Examples of non-target organisms would be mammals, fish, birds, reptiles and other insects.

Lady Beetle

Lacewing

Monarch

From Ric BessinFrom Ric Bessin

One group of non-target organisms that need to be encouraged is the natural enemies of our crop pests. Natural enemies are composed of a wide array of parasitic and predatory insects and other arthropods. Control of crop pests by natural enemies is referred to as biological control. Plant pesticides produced by genetically modified crops are more selective than pesticide sprays, thus not harming natural pest predators. In this way, genetically modified crops that produce their own plant pesticides are more compatible with biological control.  

Issue: GM Crops Compliment Biological Control

From Ric BessinFrom Ric Bessin

Bt crops -- EPA AssessmentsBt crops -- EPA Assessments

"Bt Biopesticides Registration Action Document," the EPA's review contains 283 pages and can be viewed in its entirety at: www.epa.gov/scipoly/sap.

“the Bt protein behaves as would be expected of a dietary protein, is not structurally related to any known food allergen or protein toxin, and does not display any oral toxicity when administered athigh doses."

"(Data) provide a weight of evidence assessment indicating no unreasonable adverse effects of Bt Cry proteins expressed in plants to non-target wildlife or beneficial invertebrates,whether they are earthworms, springtails, parasites, predators, pollinators or soil microbial and invertebrate flora."

“...widespread cultivation of Bt crops may have huge benefits for monarch butterfly survival."

From Ric BessinFrom Ric Bessin

ConcernsConcerns 

ConcernsConcerns 

•Social and Economic ConsiderationsSocial and Economic Considerations•Ethical ConcernsEthical Concerns•Environmental ImpactEnvironmental Impact

  

Also since biotechnology impacts our food supply a Also since biotechnology impacts our food supply a fourth concern has been voicedfourth concern has been voiced 

•Social and Economic ConsiderationsSocial and Economic Considerations•Ethical ConcernsEthical Concerns•Environmental ImpactEnvironmental Impact

  

Also since biotechnology impacts our food supply a Also since biotechnology impacts our food supply a fourth concern has been voicedfourth concern has been voiced 

Like all new technologies there are concerns with the commercial application of biotechnology. These concerns can be divided into three areas [although in many cases the concern crosses more than one area]:

•Food SafetyFood Safety 

•Food SafetyFood Safety 

Extensive studies indicate that biotech-derived foods are as safe or safer than conventional foods. Also although regulatory oversight is evolving, it is more extensive for biotech foods than any others.

In balance biotech crops are considered to be beneficial to the environment. We should work to ensure that biotech has maximum benefit on sustainable agricultural development.

U.S. Labeling Policy for U.S. Labeling Policy for Food BiotechnologyFood Biotechnology

• FDA safety standards are consistent for all foods.– Must label the presence of common allergens not

normally found in certain foods– Must demonstrate scientifically that allergens are not

present in modified food.– If nutritional content or composition has been

changed, product must be labeled accordingly.

  

Social and Economic ConsiderationsSocial and Economic Considerations 

Among the major social and economic concerns that Among the major social and economic concerns that have been raised are:have been raised are:

  

Social and Economic ConsiderationsSocial and Economic Considerations 

Among the major social and economic concerns that Among the major social and economic concerns that have been raised are:have been raised are:

  Is biotechnology scale-neutral or does it mainly benefit the Is biotechnology scale-neutral or does it mainly benefit the larger and wealthier farmers? larger and wealthier farmers? Can it provide a market advantage for large multinational Can it provide a market advantage for large multinational corporations?corporations?Do just a few corporations control much of the intellectual Do just a few corporations control much of the intellectual property associated with agricultural biotechnology?property associated with agricultural biotechnology?Might biotechnology increase farmer’s reliance on seed Might biotechnology increase farmer’s reliance on seed companies and cause them to be less likely to use seeds of companies and cause them to be less likely to use seeds of varieties they have traditionally used?varieties they have traditionally used?Can it exacerbate over-production making farming even less Can it exacerbate over-production making farming even less profitable than it already is? profitable than it already is? Is it a “tool of capitalism”?Is it a “tool of capitalism”?

  

Ethical ConcernsEthical Concerns 

Some of the major ethical concerns that have Some of the major ethical concerns that have been voiced are:been voiced are:  

Ethical ConcernsEthical Concerns 

Some of the major ethical concerns that have Some of the major ethical concerns that have been voiced are:been voiced are:  

In many ways the social and economic concerns are also ethical considerations. Also in some ways adoption of biotechnology represents a break from tradition.

•Should we mess with Mother Nature [or are we]]?•Are genetically engineered plants and animals “natural”?•Should anyone be allowed to own or patent a living organism [or does this actually occur]?

About Us

BioethicsHealth and Food SafetyFarm ImpactResearch and ScienceNews Environmental TopicsFAQsGlossaryJust for Kids / Teachers

                                     BREI is a multi-disciplinary team of research, extension and teaching professionals from the College of Agriculture.

                  

Comments and suggestions are welcome, send to BREI.Copyright © 2000, University of Kentucky, College of Agriculture

www.ca.uky.edu/BREI

Sharing information about agricultural biotechnology through:

•Publications •Visual Media •Education Curriculum •Web-based Information •In-service Training

Charles Darwin...“It is not the

strongest species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the ones most responsive to change”

“I’m all for progress; it’s change I don’t like” - Mark Twain

Slide from C.S. PrakashSlide from C.S. Prakash

ThanksThanks