What is Agricultural What is Agricultural Biotechnology ?Biotechnology ?

Unmodified DNA

Gene ofInterest

PromoterGene

MarkerGene

Transgenic organism

What are the Goals of Biotech?

Sin

gle-g

ene tran

sfer

Sin

gle-g

ene tran

sfer

GeneGenesilencingsilencing

Mul

ti-g

ene

tran

sfer

Mu

lti-g

ene

tran

sfer

Modifying gene

expression

Yield

Nutrition

Pestprotection

RxDrugs

Hardierplants

Industrialproducts

Biotechnology In The Biotechnology In The MarketplaceMarketplace

Industrial Industrial ProductsProducts– CheeseCheese– WineWine– Pharmaceutical Pharmaceutical

drugsdrugs

Agricultural Agricultural ProductsProducts– PapayaPapaya– TomatoesTomatoes– PotatoesPotatoes– CottonCotton– SoybeansSoybeans– CanolaCanola– CornCorn– SquashSquash

Adoption of GM Crops

Soybeans – more than 74 % Corn – about 32 % Cotton – more than 71 % Sweet corn – less than 5 % Potato – dropped due to poor

sales Why are some popular, others not

?

So, why is biotechnology in

agriculture so controversial ?

Why are other types of biotechnology not as

controversial ?

Biotechnology, Consumers, Biotechnology, Consumers, & the Environment& the Environment

Some oppose biotech because they Some oppose biotech because they believe it poses an unacceptable believe it poses an unacceptable environmental riskenvironmental risk

Others believe that it may be the Others believe that it may be the solution to some important solution to some important environmental/agricultural problemsenvironmental/agricultural problems

Production Issues in Production Issues in AgricultureAgriculture

Over use of pesticidesOver use of pesticides

Fertilizers leaching into water suppliesFertilizers leaching into water supplies

Soil erosionSoil erosion

Microbial contamination and food safetyMicrobial contamination and food safety

Disposal of animal waste at large facilitiesDisposal of animal waste at large facilities

Poor nutrition and unhealthy foodsPoor nutrition and unhealthy foods

Crops not adapted for diverse Crops not adapted for diverse

environmentsenvironments

What are the PotentialWhat are the PotentialEnvironmental Risks ?Environmental Risks ?

Herbicide resistanceHerbicide resistanceSuper weedsSuper weedsGene escapeGene escapeEffect on non-targetsEffect on non-targetsInsect resistance & Insect resistance & refugiarefugia‘‘GMO pollution’ of organic productionGMO pollution’ of organic productionBiodiversity reductionBiodiversity reductionAntibiotic marker genesAntibiotic marker genes

What are the PotentialWhat are the PotentialEnvironmental Benefits ?Environmental Benefits ?

Insect and disease controlInsect and disease controlReduced pesticide usageReduced pesticide usageEffects on non-targetsEffects on non-targetsIncreased yieldsIncreased yieldsCrops for marginal landsReduced animal wasteReduced soil erosionLess microbial contamination of foodsLess microbial contamination of foods

Risk Risk AssessmentAssessment

•ScientistsScientists rate nuclear power as fairly safe; rate nuclear power as fairly safe; lay peoplelay people are horrified by it. are horrified by it.

• ScientistsScientists think X-rays are moderately think X-rays are moderately dangerous; dangerous; lay peoplelay people aren't so worried. aren't so worried.

• ScientistsScientists rate swimming as rather hazardous; rate swimming as rather hazardous; lay peoplelay people consider it rather harmless. consider it rather harmless.

Risk Risk AssessmentAssessment

• Natural risks are less scary Nuclear energy vs. radon gas

• Risks imposed on us seem worseNuclear energy vs. swimming

•Risks associated with complex technologies and catastrophes are greater

Nuclear energy vs. car accidents

•Risks with an obvious benefit are less daunting

Biotechnology Biotechnology ResearchResearch

and and Education Education InitiativeInitiative

(BREI)(BREI)

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

Classroom Activity: Classroom Activity: Can scientists ever prove that biotech Can scientists ever prove that biotech

crops are safe?crops are safe?

Many people who object to biotech crops argue that the crops should not be allowed to grow in the environment until science proves that they are safe. Others who support biotech crops argue that science has proven that they are indeed safe.

As the instructor, hold a rock three to four feet above the floor. Ask the students what will happen if you let go of the rock. Hopefully, they will say that the rock will drop to the floor! Then, ask the students to prove that the rock will fall to the floor before you let go.

•Adapted from Dr. Robert K. D. Peterson, Montana State University

Classroom Activity:Classroom Activity:What is a Hazard?What is a Hazard?

Ask your students what substances or activities do not represent a hazard.

A student or two may state that drinking water does not represent a hazard because water is not toxic. What about brushing your teeth?

But hazard alone is not risk. Remember, risk is a function of both hazard and exposure.

•Adapted from Dr. Robert K. D. Peterson, Montana State University

Classroom Activity: Classroom Activity: Demonstration of Risk as a Function Demonstration of Risk as a Function

of Hazard and Exposureof Hazard and Exposure

Fill a salt shaker with about 3 tablespoons of table salt and place the lid on it. Relate to the students that three tablespoons of salt when ingested is a sufficient dose to kill a child under about 40 pounds, and either kill an adult or make him/her very ill.

Now ask the students what is the probability that they will be exposed to the salt as long as it remains in the shaker.

•Adapted from Dr. Robert K. D. Peterson, Montana State University

Classroom activity:Field trip to local Biotech firm

Every state has firms that specialize in biotechnology – either for medical, pharmaceutical, industrial or agricultural applications.

Research the industry first. Then do a site visit.

Are there environmental risks ? How are they managed ?

Classroom Activity:Classroom Activity:How do we Manage Risks?How do we Manage Risks?

Ask each student to list several natural and man-made risks.

Then have each student identify several ways in which we manage those risks.

Example: Solar radiation causing skin cancer. Managed by using sun block, wearing hats and other clothing, limiting time of exposure outdoors.

Example: Injuries caused by car accidents. Managed by having drivers take tests to get licenses, wearing seat belts, installing airbags.