Biotechnology Biotechnology is among the most promising new technologies to benefit farmers. However like every new technology it raises questions on Social/Economic.

BiotechnologyBiotechnology is among the most promising new technologies to benefit farmers.

However like every new technology it raises questions on

Social/EconomicEthical &Environmental issues.

  The Biotechnology Research and Education Initiative (BREI) has been formed to address these issues. – http://www.ca.uky.edu/brei/

See: The Kentucky Tobacco Research and Development Center

http://www.uky.edu

See: The Kentucky Tobacco Research and Development Center

http://www.uky.edu

About Us

BioethicsHealth and Food Safety

Farm 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

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 processing value to seed can reduce or reverse this trendAdding processing value to seed can reduce or reverse this trend

A KEY ELEMENT OF A KEY ELEMENT OF BIOTECHNOLOGY/ BIOTECHNOLOGY/

GENETIC ENGINEERINGGENETIC ENGINEERING

Recombinant DNA Methods Recombinant DNA Methods Can be Used To Move A Gene Can be Used To Move A Gene From Any Organism To Any From Any Organism To Any

Other OrganismOther Organism

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

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.

Harvesting Tobacco Biomass for Pharmaceutical Production

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 PlantsAnne 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.

Soybean EngineeringSoybean Engineering

H2O

N2

CO2

h

CH3(CH2)nCOOR[oil][oil]

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 Engineering Soybeans for Epoxy Fatty for Epoxy Fatty

Acid AccumulationAcid AccumulationTake genes from wild plant(s) with high epoxy fatty acid accumulation Take genes from wild plant(s) with high epoxy fatty acid accumulation in seed oil and put in commercial oilseed such as soybeans.in seed oil and put in commercial oilseed such as soybeans.

Billions of pounds of petroleum are used each year to make epoxy compounds. Engineering oilseeds to produce these useful compounds provides an environmentally friendly, renewable source of these useful materials.

Billions of pounds of petroleum are used each year to make epoxy compounds. Engineering oilseeds to produce these useful compounds provides an environmentally friendly, renewable source of these useful materials.

ConcernsConcerns 

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]:

ConcernsConcerns 

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]:

•Social and Economic Considerations•Ethical Concerns•Environmental Impact  

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

•Social and Economic Considerations•Ethical Concerns•Environmental Impact  

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

•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.

Their compatibility with sustainable practices is being researched.

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.

Their compatibility with sustainable practices is being researched.

Social and Economic ConsiderationsSocial and Economic Considerations 

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

Social and Economic ConsiderationsSocial and Economic Considerations 

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

Ethical ConcernsEthical Concerns 

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

Some of the major ethical concerns that have been voiced are: Should we mess with Mother Nature?Are genetically engineered plants and animals “natural”?Should anyone be allowed to own or patent a living organism [or does this actually occur]?  

Ethical ConcernsEthical Concerns 

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

Some of the major ethical concerns that have been voiced are: Should we mess with Mother Nature?Are genetically engineered plants and animals “natural”?Should anyone be allowed to own or patent a living organism [or does this actually occur]?  

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.

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.Examples of non-target insects to be protected include lady beetles, lacewings, and other insect predators, honey bees and other insect pollinators, and butterflies and other aesthetically pleasing insects. Media attention has focused on Bt-corn and the impact that it may have on monarch butterflies. At one time, some believed that Bt plants would be the idea control of some crops pests, because only the pests that fed on the plant would ingest the toxin and the toxin is only toxic to some plant feeding insects. However, some Bt-corn plants have relative high levels of the Bt protein in their pollen, and pollen released from these plants may fall on other plants and be eaten by other insects that are not pests. In the case of the monarch caterpillars, pollen from the Bt corn drifts onto milkweed plants which are common in and near corn fields. As the monarch feeds on the milkweed leaves, it ingests the Bt pollen and some caterpillars were shown to be killed in lab studies. Six field studies published in PNAS in the fall of 2001 showed there was little risk to monarch larvae from the two most commonly grown types of Bt corn because the pollen isn't toxic in the concentrations that monarch larvae would encounter in the fields. Studies by UK entomologist Ken Yeargan and undergrad Chanda Bartholomew indicates that in Kentucky monarch larvae feeding rarely coincides with corn pollen shed so Bt corn is of little consequence to this butterfly in KY. Research by UK Plant Pathologist, Paul Vincelli, and others indicate that Bt corn can reduce fungal toxins that can cause disease in horses and livestock and cancer in humans.

Effects on non-target organisms is and will continue to be an important issue. New GM crops will need to be evaluated for their potential effects on non targets. However, a double standard has arisen for regulating non target effects, one for insecticides and the other for GM crops. Many of the insecticides used today are considered broad spectrum- meaning they kill a wide range of insects including beneficial ones. Many are classified as Restricted Use Pesticides due to their toxicity to fish, birds, or other wildlife. Relative to most insecticides on the market, Bt-crops are more selective and potentially less damaging to non-target organisms.

Lady Beetle

Lacewing

Monarch

Issue: GM Crops Compliment Biological ControlOne 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.  

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."

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