Peggy G. Lemaux University of California, Berkeley

Transcription

1 Peggy G. Lemaux University of California, Berkeley

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3 of wheat Random retention of information from each parent

4 equivalent to a gene Inserts randomly in genome

5 Classical Breeding compared to Genetic Engineering Uses plant machinery in plant Uses plant machinery in laboratory Gene exchange is random involving entire genome Gene exchange is specific, single or a few genes When/where genes expressed not controlled by breeder When/where gene expressed can be controlled precisely Only between closely related or within species Source of gene from any organism

6 GE Corn Acreage, % of total crop GE Canola Acreage, % of total crop GE Papaya Acreage, % of total crop GE Soybean Acreage, % of total crop GE Cotton Acreage, % of total crop GE Squash Acreage, % of total crop SOURCE: NCFAP; USDA, USA Today

7 Estimated 75% of Processed Foods Have GE Ingredients

8 WHAT S IN THE PIPELINE?

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10 GE Grape Root Stocks Field Tested in Northern France for Fanleaf Virus Protection that Can Reduce Yields by 80% SOURCE: USDA Foreign Agricultural Service EU-25: GMO trials on grape wine given go-ahead in France. Report E35183

11 Genetically engineered salt-tolerant plants SOURCE: Sanan-Mishra, N., Pham, X.H., Sopory, S.K., and Tuteja, N Pea DAN helicase 45 overexpression in tobacco confers high salinity tolerance without affecting yield. PNAS 102:

12 Corn gene used to increase nitrogen uptake in potato SOURCE: Yanagisawa et al 2004, Metabolic engineering with Dof1 transcription factor in plants Improved nitrogen assimilation and growth under low-nitrogen conditions. PNAS 101:

13 Drought tolerant wheat SOURCE: CIMMYT, 2004

14 Introduction of single bacterial gene increases folate levels in model plant to levels comparable to spinach SOURCE: Hossain et al., Enhancement of folatesin plants through metabolic engineering. PNAS 101:

15 Engineered potato contains 3 times more calcium SOURCE: Park et al Genetic Manipulation for Enhancing Calcium Content in Potato Tuber. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 53:

16 Production of Omega-3 and Omega-6 Oils in Plants SOURCE: Transgenic plants produce omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, Baoxiu Qi, ISB News Report July

17 Hypoallergenic wheat - engineered to have reduced allergen content

18 Production of specific vaccines for lymphoma in tobacco SOURCE: PNAS 96: , McCormick, et al.

19 Slow grow grass

20 Japanese scientists create blue rose from blue pigments in pansies SOURCE:

21 New High Lysine Corn for Animal Feed - Reduces Need for Lysine Supplements February 2006 SOURCE:February 2006, BIOSPACE

22 USDA approves plant-based vaccine against Newcastle Disease SOURCE:February 2006, Associated Press

23 Enviropig excretes less phosphorus in manure that causes environmental problems in lakes and estuaries SOURCE: Newsweek, March

24 What are some food safety issues? Activation of toxins or creation of allergens Pharma crops contaminate food supply Changes in nutritional content Gene flow from food to intestinal bacteria; increase in antibiotic resistance Labeling

25 What are some food safety issues? Activation of toxins or creation of allergens Pharma crops contaminate food supply Changes in nutritional content Gene flow from food to intestinal bacteria; increase in antibiotic resistance Labeling

26 Regulatory Systems in the U.S. USDA FDA EPA Field testing -Permits -Notifications Determination of non-regulated status Food safety Feed safety Pesticidal plants -tolerance exemption -registrations Herbicide registration

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28 NE Beef and Dairy* Study: Bt Protein and DNA Analysis Tissue Bt DNA Bt Protein muscle (24) spleen (24) Not detected Not detected Not detected Not detected whole milk (11) Not detected Not detected

29 Fumonisin Reduction with Bt-maize 1989: High levels of fumonisin cause large-scale outbreaks of lethal lung edema in pigs, brain tumors in horses Fumonisin contamination caused by insect infestation 20- to 30-fold fumonisin reduction with Bt-maize Modified from Drew L. Kershen University of Oklahoma

30 What are some environmental issues? Gene flow via pollen flow to generate superweeds (herbicide tolerance to wild/weedy species) Transfer of transgenes to non-gmo / organic crops? Loss of genetic diversity? Property rights (gene patents)? Spread of pharmaceutical genes into commercial crops?

31 What are some environmental issues? Gene flow via pollen flow to generate superweeds (herbicide tolerance to wild/weedy species) Transfer of transgenes to non-gmo / organic crops? Loss of genetic diversity? Property rights (gene patents)? Spread of pharmaceutical genes into commercial crops?

32 Pollen Drift from Corn SOURCE: Ma, B.L Frequency of Pollen Drift in Genetically Engineered Corn. ISB News Report, February 2005.

33 Pollen Flow Distances for Crop Species of Interest Crop Type Mode of Pollination Means of Movement Alfalfa Self-sterile; obligate Bees outcrossing Bentgrass Clonal (stolons); type Wind outcrossing dep on environment Canola Predom. selfing; 30% Wind/insects outcrossing Corn Almost exclusively Wind outcrossing Cotton Predom. Seslfing; Insects outcrossing with insects Rice Self-pollinating Physical (99.5%); pollen viable touching/wind 3-15 min Squash Obligate outcrossing Insects (predom. bees) Soybean Self-pollinating (99%) Physical Wheat Self-pollinating (99.9%) touching/wind Physical touching/wind Fdn Seed Prod Isolation Distance 900 ft (0.17 mi) 900 ft (98%purity) (0.17 mi) >1320 ft (0.25 mi) 660 ft (0.125 mi) >1320 ft (0.25 mi) Measure Pollen Movemnt Dstance 2000 ft (0.48 mi) mi 1.9 mi ~2 mi n.a. 10 ft 30 ft 1320 ft (0.25 mi) 0.8 mi 5 ft n.a. 5 ft >160 ft

34 Question What Are Consequences of Gene Flow? Consider Vitamin A Genes vs. Herbicide Tolerance Genes from GE Rice to Weedy Red Rice

35 What are some environmental issues? Gene flow via pollen flow to generate superweeds (herbicide tolerance to wild/weedy species) Transfer of transgenes to non-gmo / organic crops? Loss of genetic diversity? Property rights (gene patents)? Spread of pharmaceutical genes into commercial crops?

36 Are there tolerances for GE in organic products? From NOP preamble Organic Production is a PROCESS certification NOT a PRODUCT certification it allows for Adventitious Presence (AP) of certain excluded methods. As long as an organic operation has not used excluded methods and takes reasonable steps to avoid contact with the products of excluded methods unintentional presence of products of excluded methods should not affect status of an organic product or operation. F.J. Chip Sundstrom CCIA

37 Pesticides: When residue testing detects prohibited substances at levels that are greater than 5% of the EPA s s tolerance for the specific pesticide residue detected the the agricultural product must not be sold or labeled, or represented as organically produced. GMOs: : At the present time there are no specified tolerances for GMOs in organic products. Organic products are not guaranteed GMO-free, although some organic farmers sign contracts guaranteeing GMO-free

38 Will an organic farmer automatically lose accreditation if his/her crop is found contaminated with a GE crop? No. As long as an organic operation has not used excluded methods and takes reasonable steps to avoid contact with the products of excluded methods, as detailed in their approved organic system plan, the unintentional presence of the products of excluded methods should not affect the status of an organic product or operation. SOURCE: AMS National Organic Program Q&A

39 One of most divisive issues regarding genetic engineering is idea that the choice is EITHER organic agriculture OR GMOs. If issues are polarized into all is permitted or nothing is permitted, rational social discussion is impossible. Dualism (right versus wrong) makes compromise difficult. Co-existence development of best management practices to minimize unintended presence of unwanted material, enabling different production systems to co-exist to ensure sustainability and viability of all production systems.

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