GMOs: What’s all the fuss?

GMOs: What’s all the GMOs: What’s all the fuss?fuss?

Alan McHughenAlan McHughenUniversity of CaliforniaUniversity of California

Riverside, CA Riverside, CA [email protected]@ucr.edu

FPI Survey (2004)FPI Survey (2004) Are GM foods in US supermarkets?Are GM foods in US supermarkets? Do ordinary tomatoes contain genes?Do ordinary tomatoes contain genes? Would a tomato with a fish gene taste Would a tomato with a fish gene taste

“fishy”?“fishy”? If you ate a GM fruit, might it alter your If you ate a GM fruit, might it alter your

genes?genes? Can animal genes be inserted into a plant?Can animal genes be inserted into a plant? Give an example of GM food on the marketGive an example of GM food on the market

What is What is GM/GE/Biotechnology ?GM/GE/Biotechnology ?

Any of several techniques used to add, Any of several techniques used to add, delete or amend genetic information in delete or amend genetic information in a plant, animal or microbea plant, animal or microbe

Used to make pharmaceuticals Used to make pharmaceuticals (insulin, dornase alpha, etc.), crops (Bt (insulin, dornase alpha, etc.), crops (Bt corn, disease resistant papaya, etc.) corn, disease resistant papaya, etc.) and industrial compounds (specialty and industrial compounds (specialty oils, etc.)oils, etc.)

History of genetic History of genetic engineeringengineering

rDNA began in 1973, with GE bacteriarDNA began in 1973, with GE bacteria First commercial product- insulin- in 1982First commercial product- insulin- in 1982 First food- cheese – 1988 (UK), 1990 (US)First food- cheese – 1988 (UK), 1990 (US) First food crop, FlavrSavr™ tomatoes, in First food crop, FlavrSavr™ tomatoes, in

19941994 So far, there have been no documented So far, there have been no documented

cases of harm from GMOs.cases of harm from GMOs.

Who uses Biotech Who uses Biotech products ?products ?

Consumers: diabetics, victims of CF, Consumers: diabetics, victims of CF, cancer, cancer, etc.etc.

Farmers in US (USDA data, 2005): Farmers in US (USDA data, 2005): Soybean: 87% of acreageSoybean: 87% of acreage Cotton: 79% of acreageCotton: 79% of acreage Corn: 52% of acreageCorn: 52% of acreage Others: papaya, canola, squash, etc.Others: papaya, canola, squash, etc.

Farmers in developing countries (ISAAA Farmers in developing countries (ISAAA data)data) 90% of GE crop farmers are poor, subsistence 90% of GE crop farmers are poor, subsistence

World GE crops 2005*World GE crops 2005* 21 countries grew GE crops commercially21 countries grew GE crops commercially: :

US, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, China, India.US, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, China, India.

New countries:New countries: Portugal, France, Czech Republic, IranPortugal, France, Czech Republic, Iran

New crops:New crops:Bt Rice (Iran); stacked traits (e.g. Bt +HR)Bt Rice (Iran); stacked traits (e.g. Bt +HR)

*ISAAA data, 2006*ISAAA data, 2006

Economics of GE crops Economics of GE crops In the USA, six GE crops— soybeans, corn, In the USA, six GE crops— soybeans, corn,

cotton, papaya, squash and canola — cotton, papaya, squash and canola — provide:provide:

Over 5 Over 5 billion billion additional pounds of food additional pounds of food and and fiber on the same acreage,fiber on the same acreage,

improved farm income by $1.9 improved farm income by $1.9 billion,billion, and and reduced pesticide use by 46 reduced pesticide use by 46 millionmillion

pounds.pounds.

National Center for Food and Agricultural Policy (NCFAP), National Center for Food and Agricultural Policy (NCFAP), 20042004

Documented benefits of Documented benefits of biotech cropsbiotech crops

FarmersFarmers Increased yields (especially in Increased yields (especially in

developing countries)developing countries) Decreased chemical input costsDecreased chemical input costs Cleaner fields, less dockageCleaner fields, less dockage Less fuel usedLess fuel used Less tillageLess tillage Fewer adverse health effects (esp. Fewer adverse health effects (esp.

China).China).

Documented benefits of Documented benefits of biotech cropsbiotech crops

ConsumersConsumers Safer food (less mycotoxin in maize, esp Safer food (less mycotoxin in maize, esp

Africa/Asia)Africa/Asia) Safer food (greater regulatory scrutiny)Safer food (greater regulatory scrutiny) Less pesticideLess pesticide Environmental benefits.Environmental benefits.

Documented benefits of Documented benefits of biotech cropsbiotech crops

EnvironmentEnvironment Less pesticide burdenLess pesticide burden Safer pesticidesSafer pesticides Improved soil from less tillageImproved soil from less tillage Less fuel usageLess fuel usage Increased biodiversityIncreased biodiversity Sources: NCFAP, Plant Biotechnology, June 2002; November Sources: NCFAP, Plant Biotechnology, June 2002; November

20042004 Canola Council of Canada, An agronomic and economic Canola Council of Canada, An agronomic and economic

assessment of transgenic canola, 2001assessment of transgenic canola, 2001 Munkvold, G.P., Hellmich, R.L., and Rice, L.G. 1999. Munkvold, G.P., Hellmich, R.L., and Rice, L.G. 1999.

Comparison of fumonisin concentrations in kernels of Comparison of fumonisin concentrations in kernels of transgenic Bt maize hybrids and non-transgenic hybrids. Plant transgenic Bt maize hybrids and non-transgenic hybrids. Plant Dis. 83:130-138.Dis. 83:130-138.

So, What’s the fuss?So, What’s the fuss? GE is unnatural, ‘crossing the species GE is unnatural, ‘crossing the species

barrier’barrier’ GE food contains bacterial genesGE food contains bacterial genes GE plants spread uncontrollablyGE plants spread uncontrollably GE is unethicalGE is unethical GE is ‘risky’GE is ‘risky’ GE is controlled by corporate interestsGE is controlled by corporate interests GE crops are unregulated; no prior GE crops are unregulated; no prior

scrutinyscrutiny

Concerns with GMOsConcerns with GMOs Scientific Scientific

EnvironmentEnvironment Health safetyHealth safety

Non-scientificNon-scientific EthicalEthical Socio-economicSocio-economic PoliticalPolitical

Covert TradeCovert Trade Covert Covert

TechnologicalTechnological FEAR!FEAR!

Problem of contextProblem of context ““Fear subverts rational and critical Fear subverts rational and critical

thinking” thinking” E.g. use of pesticides in agricultureE.g. use of pesticides in agriculture

““Natural” products are invariably safeNatural” products are invariably safe Synthetic chemicals are invariably Synthetic chemicals are invariably

hazardoushazardous Toxicology doesn’t matter: Toxicology doesn’t matter:

all all chemicals are equally hazardouschemicals are equally hazardous Amount doesn’t matter: Amount doesn’t matter:

anyany amount is too much. amount is too much.

Fear and loathing:Fear and loathing:the context of riskthe context of risk

Roanoke (Va) Roanoke (Va) Times (9/20/2004)Times (9/20/2004): : “Mellisa Williamson, 35… worries “Mellisa Williamson, 35… worries about the effect on her unborn child about the effect on her unborn child from the sound of jackhammers.’from the sound of jackhammers.’

Is Ms Williamson (or other Is Ms Williamson (or other similarly concerned parent) likely similarly concerned parent) likely to feed GMO babyfood to her to feed GMO babyfood to her child?child?

Science vs. Non-scienceScience vs. Non-science Non-scientific approachNon-scientific approach

Starts with conclusion, searches for evidence Starts with conclusion, searches for evidence to support it (to support it (cherry pickingcherry picking))

Discredits alternative viewsDiscredits alternative views Often lacks COften lacks Contextontext

Scientific approach (Scientific approach (n.b. not all scientistsn.b. not all scientists)) Collects and analyses all available evidence Collects and analyses all available evidence

before (perhaps) reaching conclusionbefore (perhaps) reaching conclusion Actively seeks alternative interpretationsActively seeks alternative interpretations Is his/her own greatest criticIs his/her own greatest critic AppliesApplies Critical thinking skills. Critical thinking skills.

Applying Context and Critical Applying Context and Critical Thinking Thinking Crops: traditional Crops: traditional

and modernand modern

All new crops (traditional or All new crops (traditional or biotech) must be genetically biotech) must be genetically altered and distinctaltered and distinct

DUS= DUS= DDistinct, istinct, UUniform, niform, SStable.table.

Variety release Variety release requirements: requirements:

genetically engineered genetically engineered cropscrops

USDA (APHIS) - environmental USDA (APHIS) - environmental issuesissues

HHS (FDA)- food and feed safetyHHS (FDA)- food and feed safety

EPA- pesticide usage issues.EPA- pesticide usage issues.

DUS, plus…DUS, plus… Molecular characterization of inserted Molecular characterization of inserted

DNA, DNA, Southern and restriction analysesSouthern and restriction analyses PCR for several fragments, PCR for several fragments, Various enzyme assays (ALS, NOS, NPT-Various enzyme assays (ALS, NOS, NPT-

II)II) Copy number of insertsCopy number of inserts Size of each fragment,Size of each fragment, Source of each fragmentSource of each fragment Utility of each fragmentUtility of each fragment How fragments were recombinedHow fragments were recombined How construct was delivered into flaxHow construct was delivered into flax Biological activity of inserted DNA Biological activity of inserted DNA

(genes)(genes) Quantitative analyses of novel proteins Quantitative analyses of novel proteins

(western analyses)(western analyses) Temporal activity of inserted genes Temporal activity of inserted genes spatial activity of inserted genesspatial activity of inserted genes complete amino acid analysiscomplete amino acid analysis detailed amino acid analysis for valine, detailed amino acid analysis for valine,

leucine and isoleucine leucine and isoleucine Toxicity (feeding trials were not Toxicity (feeding trials were not

warranted)warranted) Allergenicity (feeding trials were not Allergenicity (feeding trials were not

warranted)warranted) Biological analysis:Biological analysis:

Pathogenicity to other organismsPathogenicity to other organisms dormancy, dormancy, outcrossingoutcrossing potential for horizontal gene transferpotential for horizontal gene transfer seed productionseed production flowering time, flowering time, flower morphologyflower morphology analysis of relativesanalysis of relatives stability of inserted genes over seed stability of inserted genes over seed

generationsgenerations survivability in natural environmentsurvivability in natural environment survivability in agricultural survivability in agricultural

environment in presence of herbicideenvironment in presence of herbicide survivability in agricultural survivability in agricultural

environment in absence of herbicideenvironment in absence of herbicide Interaction with other organisms- Interaction with other organisms-

alterations to traditional relationshipsalterations to traditional relationships Interactions with other organisms- Interactions with other organisms-

novel speciesnovel species Changes to persistence or invasivenessChanges to persistence or invasiveness Any selective advantage to the GMOAny selective advantage to the GMO Any selective advantage to sexually Any selective advantage to sexually

compatible speciescompatible species Plan for containment and eradication Plan for containment and eradication

in the event of escape in the event of escape

Methods of Genetic Methods of Genetic ModificationModification

Recombinant DNA (rDNA)Recombinant DNA (rDNA)--------------------------------------------------------------------------

MutagenesisMutagenesis Somaclonal variationSomaclonal variation Embryo rescueEmbryo rescue Crossing or selection within a Crossing or selection within a

populationpopulation IntroductionIntroduction Succession/invasion.Succession/invasion.

Similar products, similar Similar products, similar risks ?risks ?

HT Canola:HT Canola: GroupGroup Sulfonylurea Sulfonylurea 2. ALS/AHAS inhibitor2. ALS/AHAS inhibitor Trifluralin Trifluralin 3. Mitotic inhibitor3. Mitotic inhibitor Bromoxynil Bromoxynil 4. PGR4. PGR Triazine Triazine 5. Photosynthetic inhibitor5. Photosynthetic inhibitor Glyphosate Glyphosate 9. EPSP Synthase inhibitor9. EPSP Synthase inhibitor Glufosinate Glufosinate 10. Glutamine Synth. 10. Glutamine Synth.

InhibitorInhibitor

Different process, same Different process, same productproduct

Rice: disease resistance (Rice: disease resistance (Xa21Xa21 gene) gene) Canola: herbicide tolerance (SuRs)Canola: herbicide tolerance (SuRs)

Coffee: reduced caffeineCoffee: reduced caffeine Maize: enhanced tryptophanMaize: enhanced tryptophan Flaxseed: reduced linolenic acidFlaxseed: reduced linolenic acid Soybean: increased oleic acid.Soybean: increased oleic acid.

Changes in Genetically Modified Changes in Genetically Modified Food:Food:

DNADNA content: content: highly variable, depends on specieshighly variable, depends on species

GM additional DNA, GM additional DNA, approx. 1 gene added to 25,000 genes. approx. 1 gene added to 25,000 genes.

Or, approx. 0.000 000 7% new DNA. Or, approx. 0.000 000 7% new DNA. Protein:Protein:

highly variable, depends on food. highly variable, depends on food. GM protein, approx. 0.00004 % of GM protein, approx. 0.00004 % of

total protein is novel.total protein is novel.

NAS/IOM ConclusionsNAS/IOM Conclusions Foods with a novel substance or Foods with a novel substance or

altered levels of usual components altered levels of usual components should be scrutinized for safety, should be scrutinized for safety, regardless of method of breedingregardless of method of breeding

A new modified food, whether GE or A new modified food, whether GE or other, whose composition is similar to other, whose composition is similar to conventional version may warrant conventional version may warrant little or no safety evaluation.little or no safety evaluation.

Consensus of scientific Consensus of scientific societiessocieties

The method of breeding is The method of breeding is immaterial to the risk of hazard. All immaterial to the risk of hazard. All breeding involves changes to DNA breeding involves changes to DNA and carries some (albeit small) riskand carries some (albeit small) risk

There is no scientific justification to There is no scientific justification to single out GE for ‘special’ regulatory single out GE for ‘special’ regulatory or liability considerations.or liability considerations.

ConclusionConclusion When you encounter concerns When you encounter concerns

with GMOs:with GMOs: Is it science or non-science?Is it science or non-science?

Science is product orientedScience is product oriented Science is evidence basedScience is evidence based

If science, demand peer reviewed If science, demand peer reviewed evidenceevidence

If peer reviewed data, ask how it If peer reviewed data, ask how it compares to compares to Status QuoStatus Quo

Apply critical thinking and context: Apply critical thinking and context: Evaluate all evidence, both pro and con.Evaluate all evidence, both pro and con.