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Adequacy of methods for testing the safety of genetically modified foods
... b) The justification for a broad generalization of the conclusions drawn from the tested Cry1Ab-MON810 -90-day feeding study in rats for other transgenic elements, events, modes of actions, plant lines etc. has not been demonstrated in the course of the GRACE project. The general applicability of conclusions drawn for single events to substantially modified GM plants still remains to be elusive (5,6,42,43). In this respect the envisioned feeding studies with transgenic potatoes (p. ...
... These must undergo extensive toxicological and nutritional assessment with a combination of in-vitro and in-vivo techniques as required for novel foods in general." (42) Hans (6) This is a non-exhaustive list of renowned experts in the field of GMO risk assessment covering the scientific consensus on this issue over the past decade. It is notable that members of the GRACE consortium including the coordinator of the GRACE project are on this list of authors who apparently indeed see a definite added value of 90-day feeding trials for substantially modified GM plants (6,43). ...
... In this context we would like to recall that the detection of unintended effects is one of the primary reasons to perform a 90-day whole food/feed study in rodents (5,6,(42)(43)(44)(45). These unintended effects may also comprise "unexpected" effects (5,10,46). ...
... Horton was instead acting to alleviate public concern by publishing contentious scientific work so that it could be properly scrutinized by the scientific community. One of his motives in publishing the paper was that, as expressed by Robert May, the UK's chief scientific adviser, "…if the paper is not published, it will be claimed there is a conspiracy to suppress information" [28]. A further motive was the fact that several "respected scientists and scientific institutions, " including the Royal Society, recommended "more careful governmental scrutiny of research into GM food. ...
... It is these attitudes which Horton saw as the cautious and responsible response to the new GM technology. He regards the comments by Lachmann and Sykes as "disappointing because they reflect a failure to understand the new, and apparently unwelcome, dialogue of accountability that needs to be forged between scientists and the public [28]. " Moreover, with the publication of Ewen and Pusztai's paper, it becomes possible for the scientific community to engage in the technical (scientific) dialogue that Horton hoped will result in a resolution of this debate. ...
... Horton concludes that "Only by welcoming that debate will the standard of public conversation about science be raised. Berating critics rather than engaging them…will only intensify public scepticism about science and scientists [28]. " This was a prescient remark that provided a warning, but unfortunately the warning was not heeded. ...
The GM debate ranges over a wide spectrum of issues, which can be grouped under three main headings. First, and of most immediate concern, is the debate over the possible effect of GM foods on human health. Second is the debate over the impact of GM crops on the environment. And last is the socio-economic impact of GM agriculture. This paper addresses the first issue, the safety of GM foods, and why this debate has not been resolved in the 15 or more years it has been running. This paper will provide a careful analysis of an early debate over the safety of GM food that marks the turning point in the nature of the GM debate. The paper argues that at this point the debate ceased to be an open and reasoned debate over science and became an ongoing, and often emotional, attempt to silence the critics of GM technology.
... British Society all found that the Pusztai experimental setup was indeed clearly flawed, and that 219 for this reason, no conclusions could be drawn from his findings 57,64-66 . They showed, for 220 example, that the nutritional value varied widely between the different transgenic potatoes, as 221 well as to their parental line, which already makes it impossible to distinguish if any effects were 222 caused by the transgene, or simply were due to this variation 64 . Furthermore, as this diet is not 223 suitable for rats, the animals were all protein-starved, affecting their general physiology, again 224 making it impossible to trace any effects back to the transgene 64 ...
... They showed, for 220 example, that the nutritional value varied widely between the different transgenic potatoes, as 221 well as to their parental line, which already makes it impossible to distinguish if any effects were 222 caused by the transgene, or simply were due to this variation 64 . Furthermore, as this diet is not 223 suitable for rats, the animals were all protein-starved, affecting their general physiology, again 224 making it impossible to trace any effects back to the transgene 64 ...
In an organism, be it plant, animal or human, almost every gene has its own promoter sequence, which is typified as a DNA stretch that controls how a gene is expressed in a cell. Hence, the activity of a promoter controls in which cell type, during which developmental stage or during what environmental condition a certain gene is expressed. However, the most widely used promoter in plant biotechnology is actually not derived from a plant, but a pathogenic virus. How and why did that happen? Here's a short history of the CaMV 35S promoter.
... The only study published in a high-ranking journal has been that of Ewen & Pusztai (1999) (see Table 1). However, something usually not mentioned in the public debate is that editors published an accompanying analysis highlighting the study's flaws in many aspects of design, execution, and analysis (Kuiper et al. 1999). Furthermore, the editor, Richard Horton, stated that publication of Ewen and Pusztai's findings was not a "vindication" of Pusztai's claims. ...
GM crops are the most studied crops in history. Approximately 5% of the safety studies on them show adverse effects that are a cause for concern, and tend to be featured in media reports. Although these reports are based on just a handful of GM events, they are used to cast doubt on all GM crops. Furthermore, they tend to come from just a few laboratories and are published in less important journals. Importantly, a close examination of these reports invariably shows methodological flaws that invalidate any conclusions of adverse effects. Twenty years after commercial cultivation of GM crops began, a bona fide report of an adverse health effect due to a commercialized modification in a crop has yet to be reported. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
... Similar concerns about the uncertainty of GM crops were raised by the Russian scientist Ermakova (Ermakova, 2007;Marshall, 2007), who found that animals feeding on GM-soy died faster than the non-GM control groups. Both Puzstai's and Ermakova's findings were criticized for lacking scientific rigor and to date their findings remain contested (Chassy, Giddings, McHughen, & Moses, 2007;Kuiper, Noteborn, & Peijnenburg, 1999). 128 For the distinction of simple risk situations and uncertain risk situations according to Renn (2005), see Chapter 3. ...
This PhD Thesis studies ethnographically how an alternative research project in South India emerges and grows to national scale.
... Globally substantial research evaluating the safety of transgenic rice has been done. These studies have been mainly in the discipline of toxicology (animal experiments) involving analysis of metabolites (Anldanl et al., 2002;Zhao et al., 2013;Jiang et al., 2014), toxicokinetics (Kuiper et al., 2004;Delaney et al., 2008), chronic toxicity and sub-chronic toxicity (Kuiper et al., 1999;Hug, 2008), and reproductive and teratogenicity test methods (Conner and Jacobs, 1999;König et al., 2004;Feng et al., 2013;Wang et al., 2014). Safety evaluations were made, mainly by feeding the animal model, to detect the potential effect of transgenic rice on animal organs Gu, 2005;Kok et al., 2008;Fu et al., 2012). ...
With the expanding demand for genetically modified (GM) rice, its safety evaluation is of great significance. Therefore, this study was carried out to assess the acute cytotoxicity of the whole protein extract from GM rice Bar68-1 in Mus musculus lymphocytes in vitro. Cell viability was determined by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) and Neutral Red Uptake (NRU) tests. CCK-8 tests was carried out according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Cell dehydrogenase (catalytic redox enzymes) activity was spectrophotometrically determined at 450 nm. The tests result were recorded immediately. NRU tests were completed under yellow light in a dark room according to an improved protocol. Lysosomal uptake of neutral red was spectrophotometrically determined at 540 nm and the results were recorded immediately. The results showed that the survival rate of M. musculus lymphocytes in the positive control group was significantly less than in the blank control group (P < 0.05). Moreover, an exposure- time-effect relationship was observed in the positive control group with CCK-8 and NRU tests. There was no significant difference in survival rate between GM rice Bar68-1group and non-GM rice D68 group (P > 0.05). The GM rice Bar68-1 group also did not show a higher survival rate than non-GM rice D68 group (P > 0.05). These results suggested that the whole protein extract from Bar68-1 and D68 were equivalent in their cytotoxicity, and GM rice Bar68-1 had no acute cytotoxic effect on M. musculus lymphocytes in vitro.
... Such concerns about the risks of GM technology must be balanced against its enormous benefits -far from causing any new food safety problems, biotechnology has already demonstrated its potential in enhancing the nutritional quality of our food and in reducing harmful toxic compounds that exist in our food (Kuiper et al., 1999). Understanding agricultural history is a good starting point in alleviating people's unease about GM foods -humans have been modifying crops for thousands of years, and without human care many of today's crops would cease to exist. ...
One of the goals of plant genetic engineering has been to create crops that are tailored to provide better nutrition for humans and their domestic animals. Though the enhancement of desired traits has traditionally been undertaken through conventional plant breeding since time immemorial but Genetic engineering has created plants with the desired trait very rapidly and with great accuracy. Potato (Solanum tuberosum) has one of the richest genetic resources of any cultivated plant. Most wild species can be crossed directly with the common potato and, are therefore, useful for the enrichment of cultivars. These plants possess a broad spectrum of resistances to pests and diseases, tolerances to frost and drought and many other valuable traits. Despite the importance of the potato as a world food crop, the genetics and inheritance of many important qualitative and quantitative agronomic traits is poorly understood. It is expected that genome-based approaches will lead to a major breakthrough in isolation, characterization and application of genes involved in such traits. On the whole, with the exception of possible allerogenicity, scientists believe that GM (genetically modified) foods do not present a risk to human health. There is no unequivocal evidence that genetically modified crops harm our health or the environment-yet there is an intense debate about their value and safety. Farmers have embraced the new biotechnology. Yet there are many challenges ahead for governments, especially in the areas of safety testing, regulation, international policy and food labeling.
... They concluded that the experiments done by Ewen and Pusztai were incomplete and that such studies warrant further studies. They also questioned the adequacy of existing test methods and strategies for the assessment of the safety of GM food (Kuiper Noteborn and Peijnenburg 1999). There were also "institutional" responses -for instance, the president of UK's Academy of Medical Sciences objected to the publi cation of the paper in Lancet, while the editor-in-chief of the New England Journal of Medicine called the paper uninterpretable. ...
Drawing on the literature on controversies, especially on the health risk assessment of genetically modified organisms in Europe, and long-standing debates in science and technology studies, this article argues that science-based risk assessment has inherent limitations, however rigorous, independent, and peer reviewed the work may be. In this context, the debate on Bt brinjal needs to broaden its frame from science-based assessment of consequences to evaluate society-oriented causes and objectives. We need to ask questions such as: What kind of society do we wish to live in? What kind of science and technology do we want? Who sets the agenda for science and technology development and who controls the science and technological decisions?
This comprehensive 2007 survey of modern plant breeding traces its history from the earliest experiments at the dawn of the scientific revolution in the seventeenth century to the present day and the existence of high tech agribusiness. Murphy tells the story from the perspective of a scientist working in this field, offering a rationale and evidence-based insight into its development. Crop improvement is examined from both a scientific and socio-economic perspective and the ways in which these factors interact and impact on agricultural development are discussed, including debates on genetically-modified food. Murphy highlights concerns over the future of plant breeding, as well as potential options to enable us to meet the challenges of feeding the world in the 21st century. This thoroughly interdisciplinary and balanced account serves as an essential resource for everyone involved with plant breeding research, policy and funding, as well as those wishing to engage with current debates.
This comprehensive 2007 survey of modern plant breeding traces its history from the earliest experiments at the dawn of the scientific revolution in the seventeenth century to the present day and the existence of high tech agribusiness. Murphy tells the story from the perspective of a scientist working in this field, offering a rationale and evidence-based insight into its development. Crop improvement is examined from both a scientific and socio-economic perspective and the ways in which these factors interact and impact on agricultural development are discussed, including debates on genetically-modified food. Murphy highlights concerns over the future of plant breeding, as well as potential options to enable us to meet the challenges of feeding the world in the 21st century. This thoroughly interdisciplinary and balanced account serves as an essential resource for everyone involved with plant breeding research, policy and funding, as well as those wishing to engage with current debates.
This comprehensive 2007 survey of modern plant breeding traces its history from the earliest experiments at the dawn of the scientific revolution in the seventeenth century to the present day and the existence of high tech agribusiness. Murphy tells the story from the perspective of a scientist working in this field, offering a rationale and evidence-based insight into its development. Crop improvement is examined from both a scientific and socio-economic perspective and the ways in which these factors interact and impact on agricultural development are discussed, including debates on genetically-modified food. Murphy highlights concerns over the future of plant breeding, as well as potential options to enable us to meet the challenges of feeding the world in the 21st century. This thoroughly interdisciplinary and balanced account serves as an essential resource for everyone involved with plant breeding research, policy and funding, as well as those wishing to engage with current debates.
This comprehensive 2007 survey of modern plant breeding traces its history from the earliest experiments at the dawn of the scientific revolution in the seventeenth century to the present day and the existence of high tech agribusiness. Murphy tells the story from the perspective of a scientist working in this field, offering a rationale and evidence-based insight into its development. Crop improvement is examined from both a scientific and socio-economic perspective and the ways in which these factors interact and impact on agricultural development are discussed, including debates on genetically-modified food. Murphy highlights concerns over the future of plant breeding, as well as potential options to enable us to meet the challenges of feeding the world in the 21st century. This thoroughly interdisciplinary and balanced account serves as an essential resource for everyone involved with plant breeding research, policy and funding, as well as those wishing to engage with current debates.
This comprehensive 2007 survey of modern plant breeding traces its history from the earliest experiments at the dawn of the scientific revolution in the seventeenth century to the present day and the existence of high tech agribusiness. Murphy tells the story from the perspective of a scientist working in this field, offering a rationale and evidence-based insight into its development. Crop improvement is examined from both a scientific and socio-economic perspective and the ways in which these factors interact and impact on agricultural development are discussed, including debates on genetically-modified food. Murphy highlights concerns over the future of plant breeding, as well as potential options to enable us to meet the challenges of feeding the world in the 21st century. This thoroughly interdisciplinary and balanced account serves as an essential resource for everyone involved with plant breeding research, policy and funding, as well as those wishing to engage with current debates.
This comprehensive 2007 survey of modern plant breeding traces its history from the earliest experiments at the dawn of the scientific revolution in the seventeenth century to the present day and the existence of high tech agribusiness. Murphy tells the story from the perspective of a scientist working in this field, offering a rationale and evidence-based insight into its development. Crop improvement is examined from both a scientific and socio-economic perspective and the ways in which these factors interact and impact on agricultural development are discussed, including debates on genetically-modified food. Murphy highlights concerns over the future of plant breeding, as well as potential options to enable us to meet the challenges of feeding the world in the 21st century. This thoroughly interdisciplinary and balanced account serves as an essential resource for everyone involved with plant breeding research, policy and funding, as well as those wishing to engage with current debates.
This comprehensive 2007 survey of modern plant breeding traces its history from the earliest experiments at the dawn of the scientific revolution in the seventeenth century to the present day and the existence of high tech agribusiness. Murphy tells the story from the perspective of a scientist working in this field, offering a rationale and evidence-based insight into its development. Crop improvement is examined from both a scientific and socio-economic perspective and the ways in which these factors interact and impact on agricultural development are discussed, including debates on genetically-modified food. Murphy highlights concerns over the future of plant breeding, as well as potential options to enable us to meet the challenges of feeding the world in the 21st century. This thoroughly interdisciplinary and balanced account serves as an essential resource for everyone involved with plant breeding research, policy and funding, as well as those wishing to engage with current debates.
This comprehensive 2007 survey of modern plant breeding traces its history from the earliest experiments at the dawn of the scientific revolution in the seventeenth century to the present day and the existence of high tech agribusiness. Murphy tells the story from the perspective of a scientist working in this field, offering a rationale and evidence-based insight into its development. Crop improvement is examined from both a scientific and socio-economic perspective and the ways in which these factors interact and impact on agricultural development are discussed, including debates on genetically-modified food. Murphy highlights concerns over the future of plant breeding, as well as potential options to enable us to meet the challenges of feeding the world in the 21st century. This thoroughly interdisciplinary and balanced account serves as an essential resource for everyone involved with plant breeding research, policy and funding, as well as those wishing to engage with current debates.
This comprehensive 2007 survey of modern plant breeding traces its history from the earliest experiments at the dawn of the scientific revolution in the seventeenth century to the present day and the existence of high tech agribusiness. Murphy tells the story from the perspective of a scientist working in this field, offering a rationale and evidence-based insight into its development. Crop improvement is examined from both a scientific and socio-economic perspective and the ways in which these factors interact and impact on agricultural development are discussed, including debates on genetically-modified food. Murphy highlights concerns over the future of plant breeding, as well as potential options to enable us to meet the challenges of feeding the world in the 21st century. This thoroughly interdisciplinary and balanced account serves as an essential resource for everyone involved with plant breeding research, policy and funding, as well as those wishing to engage with current debates.
This comprehensive 2007 survey of modern plant breeding traces its history from the earliest experiments at the dawn of the scientific revolution in the seventeenth century to the present day and the existence of high tech agribusiness. Murphy tells the story from the perspective of a scientist working in this field, offering a rationale and evidence-based insight into its development. Crop improvement is examined from both a scientific and socio-economic perspective and the ways in which these factors interact and impact on agricultural development are discussed, including debates on genetically-modified food. Murphy highlights concerns over the future of plant breeding, as well as potential options to enable us to meet the challenges of feeding the world in the 21st century. This thoroughly interdisciplinary and balanced account serves as an essential resource for everyone involved with plant breeding research, policy and funding, as well as those wishing to engage with current debates.
This comprehensive 2007 survey of modern plant breeding traces its history from the earliest experiments at the dawn of the scientific revolution in the seventeenth century to the present day and the existence of high tech agribusiness. Murphy tells the story from the perspective of a scientist working in this field, offering a rationale and evidence-based insight into its development. Crop improvement is examined from both a scientific and socio-economic perspective and the ways in which these factors interact and impact on agricultural development are discussed, including debates on genetically-modified food. Murphy highlights concerns over the future of plant breeding, as well as potential options to enable us to meet the challenges of feeding the world in the 21st century. This thoroughly interdisciplinary and balanced account serves as an essential resource for everyone involved with plant breeding research, policy and funding, as well as those wishing to engage with current debates.
This comprehensive 2007 survey of modern plant breeding traces its history from the earliest experiments at the dawn of the scientific revolution in the seventeenth century to the present day and the existence of high tech agribusiness. Murphy tells the story from the perspective of a scientist working in this field, offering a rationale and evidence-based insight into its development. Crop improvement is examined from both a scientific and socio-economic perspective and the ways in which these factors interact and impact on agricultural development are discussed, including debates on genetically-modified food. Murphy highlights concerns over the future of plant breeding, as well as potential options to enable us to meet the challenges of feeding the world in the 21st century. This thoroughly interdisciplinary and balanced account serves as an essential resource for everyone involved with plant breeding research, policy and funding, as well as those wishing to engage with current debates.
This comprehensive 2007 survey of modern plant breeding traces its history from the earliest experiments at the dawn of the scientific revolution in the seventeenth century to the present day and the existence of high tech agribusiness. Murphy tells the story from the perspective of a scientist working in this field, offering a rationale and evidence-based insight into its development. Crop improvement is examined from both a scientific and socio-economic perspective and the ways in which these factors interact and impact on agricultural development are discussed, including debates on genetically-modified food. Murphy highlights concerns over the future of plant breeding, as well as potential options to enable us to meet the challenges of feeding the world in the 21st century. This thoroughly interdisciplinary and balanced account serves as an essential resource for everyone involved with plant breeding research, policy and funding, as well as those wishing to engage with current debates.
This comprehensive 2007 survey of modern plant breeding traces its history from the earliest experiments at the dawn of the scientific revolution in the seventeenth century to the present day and the existence of high tech agribusiness. Murphy tells the story from the perspective of a scientist working in this field, offering a rationale and evidence-based insight into its development. Crop improvement is examined from both a scientific and socio-economic perspective and the ways in which these factors interact and impact on agricultural development are discussed, including debates on genetically-modified food. Murphy highlights concerns over the future of plant breeding, as well as potential options to enable us to meet the challenges of feeding the world in the 21st century. This thoroughly interdisciplinary and balanced account serves as an essential resource for everyone involved with plant breeding research, policy and funding, as well as those wishing to engage with current debates.
This comprehensive 2007 survey of modern plant breeding traces its history from the earliest experiments at the dawn of the scientific revolution in the seventeenth century to the present day and the existence of high tech agribusiness. Murphy tells the story from the perspective of a scientist working in this field, offering a rationale and evidence-based insight into its development. Crop improvement is examined from both a scientific and socio-economic perspective and the ways in which these factors interact and impact on agricultural development are discussed, including debates on genetically-modified food. Murphy highlights concerns over the future of plant breeding, as well as potential options to enable us to meet the challenges of feeding the world in the 21st century. This thoroughly interdisciplinary and balanced account serves as an essential resource for everyone involved with plant breeding research, policy and funding, as well as those wishing to engage with current debates.
This comprehensive 2007 survey of modern plant breeding traces its history from the earliest experiments at the dawn of the scientific revolution in the seventeenth century to the present day and the existence of high tech agribusiness. Murphy tells the story from the perspective of a scientist working in this field, offering a rationale and evidence-based insight into its development. Crop improvement is examined from both a scientific and socio-economic perspective and the ways in which these factors interact and impact on agricultural development are discussed, including debates on genetically-modified food. Murphy highlights concerns over the future of plant breeding, as well as potential options to enable us to meet the challenges of feeding the world in the 21st century. This thoroughly interdisciplinary and balanced account serves as an essential resource for everyone involved with plant breeding research, policy and funding, as well as those wishing to engage with current debates.
This comprehensive 2007 survey of modern plant breeding traces its history from the earliest experiments at the dawn of the scientific revolution in the seventeenth century to the present day and the existence of high tech agribusiness. Murphy tells the story from the perspective of a scientist working in this field, offering a rationale and evidence-based insight into its development. Crop improvement is examined from both a scientific and socio-economic perspective and the ways in which these factors interact and impact on agricultural development are discussed, including debates on genetically-modified food. Murphy highlights concerns over the future of plant breeding, as well as potential options to enable us to meet the challenges of feeding the world in the 21st century. This thoroughly interdisciplinary and balanced account serves as an essential resource for everyone involved with plant breeding research, policy and funding, as well as those wishing to engage with current debates.
This comprehensive 2007 survey of modern plant breeding traces its history from the earliest experiments at the dawn of the scientific revolution in the seventeenth century to the present day and the existence of high tech agribusiness. Murphy tells the story from the perspective of a scientist working in this field, offering a rationale and evidence-based insight into its development. Crop improvement is examined from both a scientific and socio-economic perspective and the ways in which these factors interact and impact on agricultural development are discussed, including debates on genetically-modified food. Murphy highlights concerns over the future of plant breeding, as well as potential options to enable us to meet the challenges of feeding the world in the 21st century. This thoroughly interdisciplinary and balanced account serves as an essential resource for everyone involved with plant breeding research, policy and funding, as well as those wishing to engage with current debates.
This comprehensive 2007 survey of modern plant breeding traces its history from the earliest experiments at the dawn of the scientific revolution in the seventeenth century to the present day and the existence of high tech agribusiness. Murphy tells the story from the perspective of a scientist working in this field, offering a rationale and evidence-based insight into its development. Crop improvement is examined from both a scientific and socio-economic perspective and the ways in which these factors interact and impact on agricultural development are discussed, including debates on genetically-modified food. Murphy highlights concerns over the future of plant breeding, as well as potential options to enable us to meet the challenges of feeding the world in the 21st century. This thoroughly interdisciplinary and balanced account serves as an essential resource for everyone involved with plant breeding research, policy and funding, as well as those wishing to engage with current debates.
This comprehensive 2007 survey of modern plant breeding traces its history from the earliest experiments at the dawn of the scientific revolution in the seventeenth century to the present day and the existence of high tech agribusiness. Murphy tells the story from the perspective of a scientist working in this field, offering a rationale and evidence-based insight into its development. Crop improvement is examined from both a scientific and socio-economic perspective and the ways in which these factors interact and impact on agricultural development are discussed, including debates on genetically-modified food. Murphy highlights concerns over the future of plant breeding, as well as potential options to enable us to meet the challenges of feeding the world in the 21st century. This thoroughly interdisciplinary and balanced account serves as an essential resource for everyone involved with plant breeding research, policy and funding, as well as those wishing to engage with current debates.
This comprehensive 2007 survey of modern plant breeding traces its history from the earliest experiments at the dawn of the scientific revolution in the seventeenth century to the present day and the existence of high tech agribusiness. Murphy tells the story from the perspective of a scientist working in this field, offering a rationale and evidence-based insight into its development. Crop improvement is examined from both a scientific and socio-economic perspective and the ways in which these factors interact and impact on agricultural development are discussed, including debates on genetically-modified food. Murphy highlights concerns over the future of plant breeding, as well as potential options to enable us to meet the challenges of feeding the world in the 21st century. This thoroughly interdisciplinary and balanced account serves as an essential resource for everyone involved with plant breeding research, policy and funding, as well as those wishing to engage with current debates.
This comprehensive 2007 survey of modern plant breeding traces its history from the earliest experiments at the dawn of the scientific revolution in the seventeenth century to the present day and the existence of high tech agribusiness. Murphy tells the story from the perspective of a scientist working in this field, offering a rationale and evidence-based insight into its development. Crop improvement is examined from both a scientific and socio-economic perspective and the ways in which these factors interact and impact on agricultural development are discussed, including debates on genetically-modified food. Murphy highlights concerns over the future of plant breeding, as well as potential options to enable us to meet the challenges of feeding the world in the 21st century. This thoroughly interdisciplinary and balanced account serves as an essential resource for everyone involved with plant breeding research, policy and funding, as well as those wishing to engage with current debates.
This comprehensive 2007 survey of modern plant breeding traces its history from the earliest experiments at the dawn of the scientific revolution in the seventeenth century to the present day and the existence of high tech agribusiness. Murphy tells the story from the perspective of a scientist working in this field, offering a rationale and evidence-based insight into its development. Crop improvement is examined from both a scientific and socio-economic perspective and the ways in which these factors interact and impact on agricultural development are discussed, including debates on genetically-modified food. Murphy highlights concerns over the future of plant breeding, as well as potential options to enable us to meet the challenges of feeding the world in the 21st century. This thoroughly interdisciplinary and balanced account serves as an essential resource for everyone involved with plant breeding research, policy and funding, as well as those wishing to engage with current debates.
This comprehensive 2007 survey of modern plant breeding traces its history from the earliest experiments at the dawn of the scientific revolution in the seventeenth century to the present day and the existence of high tech agribusiness. Murphy tells the story from the perspective of a scientist working in this field, offering a rationale and evidence-based insight into its development. Crop improvement is examined from both a scientific and socio-economic perspective and the ways in which these factors interact and impact on agricultural development are discussed, including debates on genetically-modified food. Murphy highlights concerns over the future of plant breeding, as well as potential options to enable us to meet the challenges of feeding the world in the 21st century. This thoroughly interdisciplinary and balanced account serves as an essential resource for everyone involved with plant breeding research, policy and funding, as well as those wishing to engage with current debates.
This comprehensive 2007 survey of modern plant breeding traces its history from the earliest experiments at the dawn of the scientific revolution in the seventeenth century to the present day and the existence of high tech agribusiness. Murphy tells the story from the perspective of a scientist working in this field, offering a rationale and evidence-based insight into its development. Crop improvement is examined from both a scientific and socio-economic perspective and the ways in which these factors interact and impact on agricultural development are discussed, including debates on genetically-modified food. Murphy highlights concerns over the future of plant breeding, as well as potential options to enable us to meet the challenges of feeding the world in the 21st century. This thoroughly interdisciplinary and balanced account serves as an essential resource for everyone involved with plant breeding research, policy and funding, as well as those wishing to engage with current debates.
This comprehensive 2007 survey of modern plant breeding traces its history from the earliest experiments at the dawn of the scientific revolution in the seventeenth century to the present day and the existence of high tech agribusiness. Murphy tells the story from the perspective of a scientist working in this field, offering a rationale and evidence-based insight into its development. Crop improvement is examined from both a scientific and socio-economic perspective and the ways in which these factors interact and impact on agricultural development are discussed, including debates on genetically-modified food. Murphy highlights concerns over the future of plant breeding, as well as potential options to enable us to meet the challenges of feeding the world in the 21st century. This thoroughly interdisciplinary and balanced account serves as an essential resource for everyone involved with plant breeding research, policy and funding, as well as those wishing to engage with current debates.
This comprehensive 2007 survey of modern plant breeding traces its history from the earliest experiments at the dawn of the scientific revolution in the seventeenth century to the present day and the existence of high tech agribusiness. Murphy tells the story from the perspective of a scientist working in this field, offering a rationale and evidence-based insight into its development. Crop improvement is examined from both a scientific and socio-economic perspective and the ways in which these factors interact and impact on agricultural development are discussed, including debates on genetically-modified food. Murphy highlights concerns over the future of plant breeding, as well as potential options to enable us to meet the challenges of feeding the world in the 21st century. This thoroughly interdisciplinary and balanced account serves as an essential resource for everyone involved with plant breeding research, policy and funding, as well as those wishing to engage with current debates.
The experience of Argentina, an early adopter of genetically modified (GM) crops, is described. A decisive factor in this process was the development of science-based regulations. By combining the growth of the first-approved crop with the use of zero-till practices, the country was able to open a new agricultural technology era and to ripe great economic benefits. The inception of the GM organisms (GMOs) debate forced to reshape the regulations introducing a market requirement: approval will be granted only after approval by the relevant trade partner. Imposition of this nonscientific requirement slowed down further development of agricultural biotechnology and is still currently delaying approval of innovative products. Few issues raised by the opponents of this technology are described here, as well as the scientific arguments to refute them, as they had a bearing in the adoption process worldwide. However, a robust corpus of dedicated research and communication efforts did not result in a rational, evidence-founded conversation. Analysis under the light of social sciences suggests that scientific-related arguments are unable to override the myths, fears, prejudices, and other factors acting at the cognitive level, which shapes a negative perception of GMOs. A compact account of the lessons learned is presented at the end of this chapter.
This review was originally prepared in 2012 as a background paper, but never published. I was asked to gather and review a broad range of academic research and grey literature on the status and impacts of transgenic crops and other agricultural biotechnologies worldwide, with special attention to the ‘developing world’. While the work was under way, I was asked to include some information about transgenic fish and about alternative agroecological approaches to agricultural improvement. Although the contents of the document are now out of date, the large body of literature and materials gathered and reviewed here may still be useful to others. I am therefore publishing the document online, so that it may be freely available to readers around the world.
In an organism, be it plant, animal or human, almost every gene has its own promoter sequence, which is typified as a DNA stretch that controls how a gene is expressed in a cell. Hence, the activity of a promoter controls in which cell type, during which developmental stage or during what environmental condition a certain gene is expressed. However, the most widely used promoter in plant biotechnology is actually not derived from a plant, but a pathogenic virus. How and why did that happen? Here's a short history of the CaMV 35S promoter.
In an organism, be it plant, animal or human, almost every gene has its own promoter sequence, which is typified as a DNA stretch that controls how a gene is expressed in a cell. Hence, the activity of a promoter controls in which cell type, during which developmental stage or during what environmental condition a certain gene is expressed. However, the most widely used promoter in plant biotechnology is actually not derived from a plant, but a pathogenic virus. How and why did that happen? Here's a short history of the CaMV 35S promoter.
The paper starts with the significance of biotechnology for animal nutrition, focusing on transgenic plants where most of genetically modified feedstuffs are. In addition, the significance of genetically modified-plants as animal feeds and the requirement for this crucial issue to be covered by European Union legislation is discussed, since the top cereal and oil-seed crops worldwide, i.e. maize and soya bean, respectively, as well as cottonseed and rapeseed, are within this category of raw materials. The procedure for authorisation of genetically modified feeds in the EU is also discussed. Moreover, various aspects referring to degradation of ‘foreign’ dietary DNA fragments from transgenic plants in the animal’s organism are reviewed. Transfer of DNA from genetically modified crops to the animal’s body and the animal products is also considered. In order to discuss the nutritional quality of genetically modified feeds in animal diets, the term ‘substantial equivalence’ was introduced, referring to the same chemical composition in content of nutrient and undesirable contents, when comparing conventional with genetically modified-dietary ingredients.The debate over ‘substantial equivalence’ principle is also reviewed; this made validity of the procedure in relation to safety evaluation less significant. Safety evaluation procedure of genetically modified-feeds (particularly, herbicide-tolerant and insect-resistant maize) by the official EU procedure, where risk assessment is performed by EFSA and risk management and communication by the Commission, is also discussed. Safety evaluation of genetically modified feeds examines aspects, such as: molecular characterisation, comparative composition analysis with conventional counterparts and nutritional assessment covering toxicology and allergenicity. With reference to environmental implications, certain aspects on post-market environmental monitoring of genetically modified feeds, (e.g., biodiversity, mitigation measures, surveillance plan), are considered.
Nutrient assessment is one of the most important aspects of the food safety assessment of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) to provide information whether GMOs have identical or improved nutritional value compared with non-GMOs. Both the principles of “substantial equivalence” and “case by case” should be induced to assess nutritive value and food safety. The variation of nutritional components (carbohydrates, starch, fiber, protein, fat, amino acids, fatty acids, minerals, vitamins, etc.) and anti-nutritional factors (alkaloids, glucoside, sulfur, glycoside, lectin, etc.) between GMOs and non-GMOs should be addressed first. The nutrient use efficiency of GMOs and their derived products is always assessed by animal experiments (pig, poultry, cattle, sheep, rodents). The nutritional component variation and nutrient use efficiency of hundreds of GM plants (both first and second generation) have been evaluated during the past two decades. These results did not show any negative influences on the nutrient and food safety of GMOs. Transgenic technology is expected to enhance crop yield, improve nutritional value, and increase resistance capacity for inimical growing conditions of crops. New GM events with additional healthful nutrients and lower concentrations of toxins and industrial and pharmaceutical GMOs will be approved in the near future. However, nutrient assessment for these GMOs might face more challenges.
Zur Zeit sind in der EU nur einige gentechnisch veränderte Pflanzen auf dem Markt, die als Lebens- oder Futtermittel genutzt werden. Dazu zählen vor allem insekten-resistenter Mais, sowie Sojabohnen und Raps mit Herbizidresistenzgenen (RKI, 1999). Berücksichtigt man auch die gentechnisch veränderten Pflanzen, die in den USA und Kanada in Verkehr gebracht wurden, so erweitert sich das Spektrum um Tomaten mit verändertem Reifeprozeß, insektenresistente Tomaten und Kartoffeln, virusresistente Kartoffeln, Kürbisse und Papaya, herbizidresistente Zuckerrüben und Reis sowie Raps und Sojabohnen mit verändertem Ölprofil (APHIS, 2000).
This study evaluated the effects of including meal from glyphosate-tolerant (Roundup-Ready(R)) canola (RRC) in barley-based diets for lambs on apparent digestibility of the diets, growth performance of the lambs, and carcass quality and composition. Four isonitrogenous diets were prepared that included canola meal [6.5%, dry matter (DM) basis] from four different sources (two commercially available canola blends, COM1 and COM2; a transgenic line, RRC and the parental non-transgenic line from which RRC was derived, PAR). Apparent digestibilities of the four diets were determined using eight mature wethers (67.8 +/- 2.3 kg) in a replicated Latin square with four 21-d periods. No aspect of digestibility (DM, fibre, or nitrogen balance) was influenced by canola source. The growth trial involved 60 early-weaned Arcott lambs (30 ewes; 30 wethers; initial age approximately 2 mo; initial weight 21.5 +/- 1.0 kg). The lambs were blocked by weight and gender for assignment to treatments, and fed the diets until reaching or exceeding 45 kg body weight. Intake of DM was similar among lambs fed COM1, COM2 and PAR diets, and between PAR and RRC (COM1, COM2 > RRC, P < 0.05). Diet did not affect. (P > 0.05) average daily gain or feed efficiency. Carcass yield grade was higher (P < 0.05) for COM1 and COM2 diets than for PAR or RRC, although carcass composition did not differ (P > 0.05) between PAR and RRC. Canola source did not affect (P > 0.05) meat tenderness, as determined by shear force, drip loss or intramuscular fat content. Meat colour of RRC-fed lambs did not differ from that of all other treatment groups. In this study, including canola meal prepared from glyphosate-tolerant canola did not alter diet digestibility, feed efficiency, growth performance, carcass characteristics or meat quality of lambs.
A number of widely debated research articles claiming possible technology-related health
concerns have influenced the public opinion on genetically modified food safety. We
performed a statistical reanalysis and review of experimental data presented in some of these
studies and found that quite often in contradiction with the authors’ conclusions the data
actually provides weak evidence of harm that cannot be differentiated from chance. In our
opinion the problem of statistically unaccounted multiple comparisons has led to some of the
most cited anti-genetically modified organism health claims in history. We hope this analysis
puts the original results of these studies into proper context.
The risk assessment procedure of genetically modified and conventionally bred crop plants is compared. From a legal point of view, the main difference is the mandatory premarket approval for genetically modified foods. Genetically modified crop plants will only be approved when the preceding risk assessment has shown that the probability of a toxic or allergenic reaction to the newly expressed proteins is low. Furthermore, potential secondary effects due to the transformation technique or changes in metabolic pathways have to be assessed. Conventionally bred crop plants can be directly marketed without prior safety assessment. Legal regulation takes place at the level of variety registration. The tests for value of cultivation and use within the variety testing do not only assess agronomic properties but also quality characteristics. We compare the ingredients to be tested and discuss the question whether genetically modified foods are overregulated or whether there exist a loophole in the regulation of conventionally bred crop plants.
Although the concept of sustainability has long been discussed and people today frequently read information on the topic, do they really know what the practice of sustainable food production is? A 2008 consumer poll revealed that 41 percent of individuals feel they know some or a lot about sustainable food production, compared to only 30 percent in 2007 (Food Insight 2008). Another question that could be raised is whether consumers understand how GE crops could play a role in sustainable food production. And would their concern about possible food safety risks of GE foods influence their acceptance of this approach? Their apprehension could lead to reluctance to use products of this technology as a part of the solution to sustainability. Genetic engineering allows introduction of genes from one organism to those in another kingdom, a situation that does not occur using classical genetic technologies (Lemaux 2008). This technology is unsettling to some, who consider it a dangerous and “unnatural” process. From a scientific standpoint, many of the concerns raised about GE crops could be applied in much the same way to crops created through classical methods, like induced mutation and cross-hybridization with wild species (NRC 2004).
No one discovery, event, person, or product alone defines or typifies plant biotechnology. Biotechnology plants, known scientifically as transgenic plants or genetically modified plants (GMPs), are derived from a blend of ancient agricultural practices and modern genetics-based technologies. Traditionally, plants served societies primarily for basic needs, such as food and shelter from the environment. Some early cultures made use of whole plants and plant compounds for medical and religious purposes. Plants took esthetic roles as civilizations grew. Many plants in early civilizations were selected for their beauty and fragrance to grow in gardens and in homes. Biotechnology significantly improved the traditional use of plants by improving the way plants are grown and the quality of the plant products. It has also greatly expanded the roles of plants within the past 20 years. Plants are now used for biomanufacturing a variety of commercial and industrial products. They are also put to work for a host of bioremediation purposes (Shmaefsky 2007).
Following the production of the first transgenic plants, health issues concerning the safety of using genetically modified (GM) crops in foods and feeds have been discussed, debated, and evaluated. The main concerns regarding GM foods include toxin or allergen production, changes in nutrient levels, and development of antibiotic resistance. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration established extensive guidelines to address the concerns and ensure the safe commercial introduction of GM crops for use in food or feed. The guidelines were developed through evaluation of scientific data from several disciplines related to genetic engineering and food safety, and consultation with experts from around the world. Foods containing GM crops meeting the FDA guidelines are deemed to be as safe and nutritious as their non-GM counterparts already on the market.
The specific effects of phytic acid (PA) and resistant starch (RS) on mineral bioavailability, namely, Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn and Cu, were investigated in rats adapted to semipurified diets. The diets provided either 73 g/100 g digestible wheat starch (DS) alone, or 53 g/100 g DS plus 20 g/100 g crude potato starch (RS) and either 0 or 1.1 g/100 g PA. A period of 3 wk was first planned to adapt the rats to their respective diets. Compared with rats fed the DS diets, those fed the RS diets had significant cecal hypertrophy and an accumulation of short-chain fatty acids, together with greater cecal blood flow. RS enhanced the cecal absorption of Ca and Mg (from 0.15 to 0.55 micromol/min for Ca, and from 0.10 to 0.35 micromol/min for Mg). Mineral balance was enhanced significantly by RS (Ca, +46%; Mg +50%; Fe +20%; Zn, + 33% and Cu, +61%). PA had no significant effect on Ca or Mg solubility and absorption in the cecum, and it failed to alter significantly Ca or Mg balance. The apparent absorption of Fe, Zn and Cu was significantly lower in rats fed the DS + PA diet than in rats fed the DS diet (Fe, -35%; Zn, -28%; and Cu, -31%). In rats adapted to the RS diet, the inhibitory effects of PA were practically abolished and the mineral balance was restored to the control values. We conclude that the negative effects of PA on mineral balance are relatively minor compared with the stimulatory effect of RS.
Showing that a genetically modified food is chemically similar to its natural counterpart is not adequate evidence that it is safe for human consumption.
This study was designed to determine whether the decrease in serum transthyretin that occurs during food restriction results from gross energy reduction or from depressed protein or lipid intake and to examine the relationship between serum transthyretin and hepatic transthyretin mRNA during moderate protein or food deficiency. Groups of young rats were allowed free access to either a 18% (control) or a 6% protein diet (protein-restricted), or reduced intakes. The food-restricted groups received 60% of control intake from the control diet, a 40% protein-enriched diet, or a 40% lipid-enriched diet, for 28 d. Serum transthyretin concentrations were lower in all experimental groups on d 7 relative to the control group. Control values were reached only in the protein-restricted group by d 14. The low serum transthyretin levels, which were similar in the food-restricted groups, likely resulted from gross energy restriction. Hepatic transthyretin mRNA levels were determined in the control, protein-restricted and food-restricted groups. They were unchanged relative to controls in the protein-restricted group but declined moderately in the food-restricted group on d 7 and 14, before returning to control values by d 28. Thus, the changes in liver transthyretin mRNA levels could partially explain the changes in serum transthyretin in food-restricted rats.
The effects of a protein-free diet or food restriction on the immune system were examined in two rat strains, Wistar and Buffalo, in different age-groups. Unlike Wistar rats, Buffalo rats have an unusually hyperplastic thymus and a large number of peripheral T cells. The protein-free diet (PFD) in rats resulted in marked thymic involution together with a reduction of splenic T cells, both in number and in antibody response to sheep red blood cells. The depressive effect of the PFD on the immune system was more serious in young immature rats than in older rats, but less serious in Buffalo rats having enhanced T cell functions regardless of age. Thymic involution was also accelerated in both strains of rats by feeding them a restricted amount of the control diet containing well-balanced nutrients (food restriction, FR). In the FR experiment, no significant change was observed in immune functions of Wistar rats. A slight reduction was observed in the immune functions of Buffalo rats with FR, but absolute levels were distinctly higher in Buffalo rats than in Wistar rats even after FR. These results suggested (1) that the thymic function is sensitive to protein deficiency; (2) that a well-balanced dietary condition is necessary for immunological maturation in the early stage of life and preservation of immune functions at older age; (3) that animals having higher immune functions are more resistant to malnutrition than ordinary ones.
A common element in designed guidelines for assessment of the food safety of transgenic crops is centred on a comparative analytical analysis with conventionally bred crop plants, assuming that these products have a long history of safe use (i.e. OECD-principle of substantial equivalence). In this study we examine the utility of an off-line combination of 400 MHz proton (1H)-NMR spectroscopy and liquid chromatography (LC) for the multi-component comparison of low-molecular weight compounds (i.e. chemical fingerprinting) in complex plant matrices. The developed NMR-methodology can contribute to the demonstration of substantial equivalence by its ability to compare possible compositional alterations in a novel food crop with respect to related non-transgenic reference lines. In this respect a hierarchical approach is proposed by comparing the chemical fingerprints of the transgenic crop plant to those of: (1) isogenic parental or closely related lines bred at identical and multiple sites; (2) extended ranges of commercial varieties of that plant; and (3) downstream processing effects. This is of importance to assess the likelihood that some of the statistical differences in a transgenic crop plant may be false positives due to chance alone or arose from natural genetic and/or physiologic variations.
DNA microarray technology is a new and powerful technology that will substantially increase the speed of molecular biological research. This paper gives a survey of DNA microarray technology and its use in gene expression studies. The technical aspects and their potential improvements are discussed. These comprise array manufacturing and design, array hybridisation, scanning, and data handling. Furthermore, it is discussed how DNA microarrays can be applied in the working fields of: safety, functionality and health of food and gene discovery and pathway engineering in plants.