Welcome to Genetic Improvements Techniques and a Future in Small Farms
The 2014 Educational Program Committee is pleased to share conference educational materials with you under the condition that they are used without alteration for educational and non-commercial use only. All materials are protected by copyright law. The authors kindly request their work is properly cited, including the date of publication. For more information on Small Farms, visit our website at: http://smallfarms.ifas.ufl.edu/ or contact your local County Extension Agent. For inquiries about this topic, please contact: Danielle Treadwell, Educational Program Chair. Phone: (352) 273-4775 Email: ddtreadw@ufl.edu Suggested Citation: Author Full Name. Title of Presentation or Handout. 2014 University of Florida-IFAS and Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University-CAFS Florida Small Farms and Alternative Enterprises Conference. August 1-2, Kissimmee, FL.
Genetic Improvement Techniques and a Future in Small Farms Kevin M. Folta Associate Professor and Chair Horticultural Sciences Department kfolta@ufl.edu kfolta.blogspot.com @kevinfolta
Single-Gene Genetic Improvement Transgenic/Cisgenic/CRISPR etc Not so common. Why? Few specialty crops. Change will be a question of public acceptance of science and a need defined by farmers. Farmers need to be part of the equation in benefits vs. limitations
Basic Information How it works Why isn t it adopted? Misinformation and Deception What s Coming? Opportunities Lost and Products on the Horizon
Basic Information Transgenic (GMO) foods are among the most tested products in the world.1 Transgenic crops pose no more risk than conventionally bred crops. 1 There is limited/no feasible mechanism that they would be harmful outside of those extensively tested. 1 The genes/proteins inserted have been well studied for decades. 1 Transgenic crops have decreased insecticide use and help farmers remain competitive. 1 In 17 years since release there has not been one case of illness or death related to the products. 1 The Impact of Genetically Modified Crops on Farm Sustainability in the USA. National Academies Press, 2010
GM Acreage
GM Crops Available Now
Three Main Traits Virus Resistance Insect Resistance Herbicide Resistance
How Do We Make this Understandable? Turn OFF something that normally is ON Turn ON something that is normally OFF or not there
Central Dogma of Molecular Biology DNA genetic material, Hard copy safe in the nucleus of a cell RNA Transient copy of the same information (+/-) Protein Does the work! Enzymes, structures, etc.
Papaya Ringspot Virus Good example of RNAi suppression
Gene Silencing GM papaya saved an industry, not a Big Ag product Share the vision, what else could we silence? - allergens - anti-nutrients - physiology associated with post-harvest decay - many others!!
Turn something ON that isn t there normally
GMO Crops Make Pesticides
How Bt Works
Advantages to Bt resistance Less insecticide sprayed on fields -Lower costs to farmers -Lower impact on environment (in China 2003, Bt cotton prevented >300,000 tons of insecticde use) - 50-75% less pesticide used since 2003 - lower chance for resistance - targeted to larvae of specific insects - no insecticidal residues Source: National Academies of Science, 2010 Tomorrow s Table, Dr. Pamela Ronald 2007
Limitations to Bt - The need to include non-bt refugia - Development of resistance - Does not work well on rootworms
Roundup Ready Products A gene is inserted that allows plants to survive in the presence of the herbicide. Farmers can spray to kill non-transgenic plants.
How Herbicide Resistance Works Plants X A B C Amino acids proteins epsps glyphosate
How Herbicide Resistance Works Plants X A B C Amino acids proteins glyphosate epsps Bacteria A B C Amino acids proteins glyphosate epsps
How Herbicide Resistance Works Plants X A B C Amino acids proteins epsps glyphosate Bacteria A B C Amino acids proteins glyphosate epsps
How Herbicide Resistance Works Plants A B C Amino acids proteins glyphosate epsps Resistance!
Talk about limitations
So What s the Problem? Soft understanding of science Mistrust of scientists Legacy corporate perception An internet filled with experts It s about food!
A Debate? Only a few crops affected Only three traits No reliable evidence of health effects Benefits outweigh limitations No more risk than conventionally grown crops Experts are not scientists Most profit from their position Façade organizations Appeal to fear
Manufacturing Risk
Transgenic (GMO) cause cancer, autism, arthritis, asthma, ADHD, obesity, morgellian s disease, parkinson s, and 100 other ailments. Farmers must use GM crops because companies force them to. Farmers are sued for a few GM seeds in their fields if they don t have contract with the company. There have been no long term studies and nobody knows what the genes do. There are unknown effects and we should not use the technology. GM crop are engineered to displace all other crops and give a few companies world domination and control of the food supply. Many others! Myths- We can address in Q&A
Lost Opportunities Opposition to this technology has significant costs. The needy The environment Farmers Consumers
Technology Exists NOW Research has been published demonstrating that transgenic techniques can: Biofortify foods with vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients Grow plants in marginal areas Grow plants with fewer inputs Efficient use of fertilizers Insect resistance Disease resistance
Golden Rice Opposition to golden rice cost $2 billion to farmers in developing countries and 1.4 million human years Wesseler et al., 2014 Farmers Consumers Environment X Needy
Cassava 250 million depend on cassava 50 million tons lost to virus. Virus Resistant Cassava (VIRCA) Biocassava Plus (BC Plus) X X Farmers Consumers Environment Needy
BS2 Tomato A pepper gene in tomato eases black spot and wilt. X Farmers Consumers X Environment Needy
Acrylamide Free, non Browning Potatoes X X Farmers Consumers Environment Needy
Non Browning Apples Silencing a gene that leads to discoloration X X Farmers Consumers Environment X Needy Small Business!
Virus Resistant Beans Embrapa, Brazil
Improved Oil Composition
Rice, 2009 projections
Other crops, 2009 projections
Other crops, 2009 projections
Conclusions: Our mission is to use all tools available to generate new plant lines that will produce more, higher-quality plant products with fewer inputs and less environmental impact. Small farms have not seen much benefit from transgenic crops High costs of deregulation and public perception hinder product development New products offer consumer-centric benefits
Where do I get good information? Warm welcome Cold facts GMOanswers.com geneticliteracyproject.com Kfolta.blogspot.com Biofortified.org Illumination kfolta@ufl.edu
Public Issues Many calling for labeling of grocery items made from GM crops. Legislation may eventually be developed in Florida A right to know vs. a new bureaucracy? Gateway to banning technology that helps farmers and can do much more for the environment and the needy.
Bad Science and the Link to Tumors Seralini et al 2012 Figure 3