Cultivation Of GM Crops Research Articles

Advancements in genetically modified insect pest-resistant crops in India.

The review offers insights into the current state of research on insect pest-resistant GM crops and the regulations governing the cultivation of GM crops in India. India has a rich crop diversity of more than 160 major and minor crops through its diverse agroclimatic conditions. Insect pests alone cause around USD 36 billion in crop loss annually in India. The last two decades witnessed considerable progress in managing insect pests by adopting innovative techniques including transgenics. In research, significant advancement has been brought in insect pest-resistant transgenics in India since its inception in 2002. However, any events have not been endorsed owing to biosafety impediments, except Bt cotton reaching the commercial release stage. A landmark decision to exempt certain types of gene-edited plants from genetically modified organism (GMO) regulations offers great promise for developing novel insect-resistant crops in India. The article reviews the current research on insect pest-resistant transgenics and its regulations in India.

Transgenic cotton expressing Cry1B protein has no adverse effect on predatory insect Propylea Japonica

The lady beetle Propylea japonica is a dominant natural predator of insect pests in farmland ecosystems and an important non-target indicator insect for the environmental safety assessment of GM crops. The commercial cultivation of GM crops may cause P. japonica to frequently be exposed to the Bt protein environment. In this study, the biological characteristics, enzyme activity, and expression levels of detoxification and metabolism in P. japonica were studied after Cry1B protein treatment. No significant differences were observed in developmental duration, emergence rate, or body weight at different ages after feeding larvae 0.5 mg/mL of Cry1B protein compared with the control. Furthermore, there were no significant differences in the activities of glutathione S-transferase (GST), catalase (CAT), and peroxidase (POD) after feeding 0.25 mg/mL and 0.5 mg/mL Cry1B protein. However, when the concentration of Cry1B protein increased to 1.0 mg/mL, the activities of the GST, CAT, and POD increased significantly. Compared with the control group, there were no significant differences in the expression levels of most detoxification metabolism related genes; only a few genes had changed expression levels at the individual concentrations (CYP345B1, CYP4Q2, CYP9F2, GST, and microsomal GST). Overall, these results suggest that Cry1B protein has little or no effect on the biological characteristics of P. japonica. Genes related to enzyme activity and detoxification are differentially expressed at high concentration stimulation. Therefore, this research suggests that the potential risks of Cry1B for the predator P. japonica are negligible.

Genetically Modified Crops in Romania before and after the Accession of the European Union

Modern biotechnology entered the world science arena after 1972, and in less than 22 years the first genetically modified crop was placed on the market. The analysis of relevant biosafety portals and official and scientific documents was applied in this study to reveal positive and negative issues of the Romanian biosafety framework before and after the European Union (EU) accession. The success in cultivating highly productive GM soybean was rapidly embraced by Romania between 1999 and 2005. Before 2007, Romania was cited among the Mega Biotech Countries, with a cultivation of 87.500 ha. After the accession to the European Union, Romania stopped any GM crop cultivation. There was an immense effort to harmonize with the EU regulatory framework between 2005 and 2007. The monitoring system for GM crops has been in place since 2007. Public research on aspects of GMOs started before 1996 and continues to develop. The analysis of our results supports the idea that Romania is a perfect example of a country committed to embracing GM crop cultivation for 7 years, followed by almost complete phasing out of GM crop cultivation to comply with all requirements for EU accession in less than 1 year.

Regulation of the GM crops circulation in Ukraine: problems and ways to solve them

The purpose of the article is to investigate the world experience of GMO management, highlight gaps in the regulation of GM crops in Ukraine and develop recommendations for their elimination, taking into account the best European practices and domestic characteristics. Research methods. In the research process the following methods were used: dialectical methods of cognition of processes and phenomena, monographic method (for analyze the spread of GM crops in the world), statistical (for analyze the dynamics of areas under GM crops in the world), empirical method (for comprehensive assessment of the current state of the use of GMO), abstract and logical methods (for theoretical generalizations and formulation of conclusions). Research results. In the article the world experience of GMO management was presented. The current state of regulation of the use of GM crops in Ukraine was described and the main directions of its improvement were outlined. Given the lack of registration of GM varieties of agricultural crops in Ukraine, the feasibility of forming an effective system of their registration and implementation of a system of control and monitoring of the cultivation of only registered varieties of agricultural crops was justified. This approach should protect against the spontaneous importation and illegal cultivation of GM crops. In addition, the necessity of introduction of the complex approach to regulation of use of GM crops and GM products in Ukraine and intensification of process of unification of the domestic and European regulatory framework in the field of regulation of the use of GMOs was substantiated. Scientific novelty. The current state of regulation of the use of GM crops and GM products in Ukraine was investigated and prospects for its improvement taking into account the best European practice were outlined. Practical significance. It has been established that there are gaps in the state control over the use of GMOs, as well as in the issues of liability for offenses in the field of GMO management and biosafety. Measures to eliminate them were proposed. Refs.: 12.

Disharmonization in the Regulation of Transgenic Plants in Europe

Disharmonization in the Regulation of Transgenic Plants in Europe

The Precautionary Principle in EU Regulation of GMOs: Socio-Economic Considerations and Ethical Implications of Biotechnology

Law is often linked to ethics and morality. Regulations of genetically modified organisms ensue from a discussion on how well the law is composed to accommodate ethical considerations. The precautionary principle and biotechnology have undeniable moral connotations. Besides, the principle has socio-economic implications. The application of the precautionary principle in plant breeding should be legally justified on the basis of the best available evidence. On the other hand, scientific information cannot provide all the necessary information on which a risk management decision should be based. This article addresses the issue of gap between science, ethics, and socio-economic considerations related to the cultivation and authorisation of GM crops.

Controversy first: factors limiting the success of Directive (EU) 2015/412 for national decision-making on the cultivation of GM crops

ABSTRACTThe cultivation of GM crops in Europe has a long history of disagreement. While the legal framework is based on a safety assessment, the disagreement goes beyond such risks and is rooted in political, social and cultural grounds. In 2015, with the discussion having become deadlocked—neither Member States (MS) who wanted to cultivate GM crops nor those who did not could have their way—Directive (EU) 2015/412 was adopted. This Directive which, in addition to the safety assessment, enables MS to prohibit the cultivation of GMOs in their territory based on non-safety considerations, was supposed to remove the deadlock and give MS autonomy to restrict cultivation. However, as of 2018, it seems that this approach has been only partially successful. In this article, we identify factors limiting the effective use of the new Directive; and, then using Poort’s model of interactive legislation combined with an ethos of controversies, we analyse the potential of the Directive.

The Power of the Seed: Timing, Quick Structural Change, and Genetically Modified Crop Regulations in the Andes

Regulation concerning GM crops around the world range from total prohibition to full openness and state-wide promotion. The Andean countries in Latin America provide an interesting setting to analyze the possible causes for this variation. Despite having similar conditions to plant GM crops, Colombia and Bolivia allow GM crop cultivation, while Ecuador and Peru do not. Interestingly, Evo Morales, Bolivia's leftist president, could not ban GM crop production, and Alan Garcia (2006–2011) in Peru, despite his pro-GM stance, failed to adopt a permissive regulation. We argue that two factors explain these divergent outcomes regarding GM seed sowing and reform efforts in Andean countries: (i) the time in which regulatory measures were attempted, and (ii) the quick structural change that GM seeds generate once introduced into a country.

Ocena wiedzy i postaw rolników na temat upraw genetycznie zmodyfikowanych organizmów

Celem badań było określenie poziomu wiedzy i postaw rolników województwa opolskiego odnośnie upraw roślin genetycznie zmodyfikowanych. Na podstawie badań przeprowadzonych w roku 2017 można stwierdzić, że pojęcie GMO znane było zdecydowanej większości ankietowanych rolników (92%), którzy jednocześnie potrafili podjąć próbę wyjaśnienia, co oznacza ten skrót. Wyższym poziomem wiedzy na ten temat wykazywali się rolnicy młodsi, ze średnim i wyższym poziomem wykształcenia. Najczęściej wiedza na temat GMO pochodziła z mediów, rzadziej z prasy specjalistycznej. Jednak większość badanych (ponad 70%) uznała, że jest ona niewystarczająca. Rolnicy nie byli pozytywnie nastawieni do wprowadzania tego rodzaju upraw i żywności (73,9% mężczyzn i 57,1% kobiet). Tylko nieznaczny odsetek ankietowanych (9,2% mężczyzn) przyznał się do uprawiania roślin GM, natomiast większy procent badanych deklarował stosowanie pasz GM w żywieniu zwierząt. Prawie 1/3 respondentów uważała, że z upraw roślin GM nie płyną żadne korzyści, pozostali wskazali m.in. na większą wydajność takich upraw i zmniejszenie ilości stosowanych środków ochrony roślin. Taki sam odsetek badanych uważał, że uprawy GM nie są zagrożeniem dla środowiska. Ponad 80% rolników było otwartych na szkolenia i kursy, które miałyby uzupełnić ich wiedzę na temat inżynierii genetycznej.

Characterization of scientific studies usually cited as evidence of adverse effects of GM food/feed.

SummaryGM 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.

The importation of genetically modified crops and its environmental impacts in Korea

The global cultivation area of genetically modified crops (GM crops) has been increasing every year. Cultivation of GM crops is not only beneficial to the economy but also has positive effects on the environment in decreasing the use of agrochemicals, chemical fertilizers, and agricultural machinery. However, there have been controversies about the admixture of GM crops and non-GM crops and the unintentional release of GM crops to the environment. Especially in Korea, where consumption of agricultural products is import-dependent, the economic importance of GM crops has been a significant issue. The Act on import and distribution of GM crops was established in 2001 to start the management of GM crops in Korea. Recently, the imported amount of GM crops to Korea has reached over 10 million tons and is increasing very rapidly; consequently, the potential environmental impact of GM crops is becoming a big issue in Korea. In Japan, the discovery of imported GM canola plants around ports in 2005 raised awareness of the unintentional release of GM crops. In Korea, GM maize plants were also found in port and feed factory surroundings from 2005 to 2007. It is now necessary to monitor imported GM crops by tracing distribution, transport process for practical environmental risk assessment. Possible gene transfer from GM crops to non-GM crops should also be investigated in the cultivation area and the surroundings as well.

Farm‐level GM Coexistence Policies in the EU: Context, Concepts and Developments

SummaryMany EU MS have implemented coexistence policies to govern the cultivation of GM crops on their territory but only one GM crop, the Bt maize event MON810, is currently cultivated in the EU. From a practical point of view, a combination of paper traceability and implementation of isolation distances between GM and non‐GM maize are considered as being the most effective way of segregating both types of materials. In general, infringements will however only become apparent after harvesting the crops. Liability issues will then be invoked late in the process restricting or at least limiting flexibility in the marketing of the materials in an appropriate way. Nevertheless, following the general guidelines for coexistence developed by the European Commission, EU Member States are progressively regulating coexistence at the national level. The policies in the EU governing coexistence can be differentiated into ex‐ante regulations and ex‐post liability rules. This differentiation is useful as the economic implications between the two differ. With regard to maize, studies show that the costs of complying with the given threshold values for GM content at farm level range from zero to 2 per cent of the total growing costs for both conventional and organic production.

Genetically modified organisms is a serious threat to biodiversity of Azerbaijan

In this present article, the potential impact of genetically modified organisms (GMO) on biodiversity has been analyzed. The potential impact of GMOs on biodiversity has been a topic of interest both in general as well as specifically in the context of the Convention on Biological Diversity. The concerns about possible risks of GM products to the biodiversity are often similar from region to region, but the impacts from those risks may differ considerably, particularly between developed and developing countries such as Azerbaijan. The present review highlights scientific debates and discusses the potential effects of GM crop cultivation on the environment considering the impacts caused by cultivation practices of modern agricultural systems.

Are We Closer to GM Crop Cultivation in Europe?

Are We Closer to GM Crop Cultivation in Europe?

Amphibians as indicators of changes in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems following GM crop cultivation: a monitoring guideline

Amphibians are a suitable indicator group for monitoring possible negative direct or indirect effects of GMO cultivation at the individual and population level. Direct effects could occur in aquatic ecosystems via uptake of GM pollen or GM detritus by anuran larvae. However, indirect negative effects caused by changes in cultivation practices (changes in pesticide use, for instance) are more likely. The VDI Guideline 4333 aims to ensure comprehensive monitoring of the different life-stages of anuran species that are common in agricultural landscapes of Austria, Germany and Switzerland. The guideline includes a novel approach to tadpole monitoring. To assess immediate effects, tadpole, metamorph and adult deformation rates are compared with naturally occurring deformation rates. Adult population size, adult body condition and juvenile emergence are monitored over multiple years to assess long-term effects of GM crop cultivation on population viability. At each study site, monitoring has to be carried out at multiple amphibian breeding sites which differ in their exposure to GM crop cultivation. All monitoring data have to be stored in a central database for future meta-analyses. This will ultimately allow for generalized statements about the impact of GM crop cultivation on amphibians. Although specifically designed for GM crops, VDI Guideline 4333 may also serve as a model for studying the effects of a wider range of stressors on amphibian populations in agriculture and forestry.

Monitoring of genetically modified food and feed in the Tunisian market using qualitative and quantitative real-time PCR

Genetically modified organisms (GMO) invade more and more the agricultural production in the world. Although there are no legislations on GM labeling and cultivation of GM crops in Tunisia, the present study aims to check the status of GMO in Tunisian market using qualitative and quantitative real time-PCR (QRT-PCR). Three-hundred-sixty five samples were collected and different DNA extraction methods were adapted and optimized. Specific primers targeting 35S promoter from Cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) and nopaline synthase terminator from Agrobacterium tumefaciens (At) were used for the detection of the GMO insert and Taxon specific primers for the detection of plant species. Validated Taqman® probes (EU-RL) targeting event specific regions of the maize events MON810, Bt11, and the soybean event RRS were used for the quantification studies. Seven food and feed products showed different amounts of RRS (1.9%), MON810 (2.1%), and Bt11 (1.6%). The results demonstrate for the first time the presence of GMO in Tunisian markets reinforcing the need for the development of accurate quantitative methods in routine analyses.

Genetically modified organisms and sustainable crop production: A critical review

Fighting against global hunger in the adverse climatic condition is a major concern of the governments around the globe. The pace of population growth is overwhelmingly defeating the growth in crop production. In this context, introduction of GMO is emerging as a probable solution for sustainable crop production. However, such developments are not beyond criticism. This paper assesses and evaluates the prospects and challenges of introduction of GMO in a global perspective. Experiences of GM crop cultivation in different countries are also considered. This paper is a review of all accessible literature on GMO and sustainable crop production. This review will give a flavor of the on going debate and help take decision by the interested countries regarding GMO adoption. Furthermore, on the basis of the review this paper suggests some policy recommendations.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbau.v10i2.14921 J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 10(2): 291-296, 2012

A Systematic Review of the Environmental Impacts of GM Crop Cultivation as Reported from 2006 to 2011

The current generation of genetically modified crops have shown potential to enhance agricultural productivity and alter farm production economics, but there remains global divergence in adoption of the technology due in part to uncertainty in the underlying science. In an attempt to address this, a systematic review was undertaken, which asked the question “What are the environmental impacts of the global cultivation of GM crops?” A database search statement generated over 19000 hits, which distilled down to 28 articles from which data was recovered to generate a set of R values, where R was the ratio of the GM divided by the conventional field data. Meta-analysis of this data indicated that under GM R had significantly increased from a background level of 1 to a mean value of 1.31. This increase in R, although positive, is not indicative of an environmental benefit due to the difficulty in assigning either benefits or disadvantages to the many indicators that were encompassed within the review. Subsequent regression analysis indicated that there was no standard model to explain the observed variation in R values. However, in models for both cotton and maize, variables relating to the design of the study had a significant effect, but these variables were not related to trait or gene insertion and were generally either year, country or change in cultivation practice in origin. Narrative analysis of the authors published interpretations indicated GM had no adverse effects in 85% of papers, 10% reported a beneficial effect and only 5% a deleterious impact. The conclusion of this study is that GM adoption has had an impact on its environment, but that the underlying cause of this impact is not due to the genetic modification and the effect on the environment is generally seen as not being adverse.

The EU Proposal on GM Crop Cultivation: A Real Opportunity for Consumer Preferences?

Consumer concerns in relation to modern agricultural biotechnology, and especially GMOs, are not decreasing as the various Eurobarometer surveys and, more importantly, the development of national safeguard bans and GMO-free regions can demonstrate. The 2010 GM crop cultivation proposal allows Member States to restrict or prohibit GMO cultivation based on environmental, health, and socio-economic considerations. This paper asks whether this proposal provides a real opportunity for the public to be heard, and what type of proof would be required from Member States to implement such restrictions or bans. The 2009 Commission of the European Communities v. Poland case deals with attempts by Poland to prohibit the placing on the market of GMO seeds. The Court rejected the prohibition based on consumer feelings about whether these could have been confirmed by looking at the Eurobarometers and the opinions of the European Group on Ethics. This decision creates considerable restraints for Member States to listen to their citizens. Further, it puts into question the role of the democratic process when based on consumer preferences, rather than a scientific risk assessment, as Members of Parliament are supposed to represent their constituencies. This case showed that the internal market remains arguably central to the EU and can only be jeopardized under specific conditions. Such a decision raises issues as to how consumer preferences would have to be substantiated in front of the Court and other EU institutions under the GM crop cultivation proposal. The EU seems to be at a crossroads between relying on science-based EU-level authorization and the free circulation of trade, and giving freedom to Member States to rely on consumer preferences. Many legal uncertainties remain to be solved before consumer considerations within Member States could play a decisive role in the regulation of GM crops.

Consumer Preferences and Bio-Tech Foods in EU and US Law

There is growing consumer unwillingness towards bio-tech foods in both the EU and the US. Consumers have ethical, moral, social, and societal concerns over bio-tech foods; such as GM and cloned foods. They want to know where their food comes from and how it is produced. Such opposition has been demonstrated by the increased reliance on various means to accommodate consumer preferences: direct democracy and institutions listening to the public. In both the EU and the US, citizens' initiatives – the process whereby the public can file a petition to request new legislation – seems to be expanding. In the EU, the European Citizens' Initiative (ECI) entered into force in April 2012. The ECI is a new tool created by the Lisbon Treaty, which gives one million citizens the right to ask the Commission to consider drafting new EU laws. It could lead to greater participatory democracy and consumers being heard. For example, at the end of 2010, two NGOs, Greenpeace and Avaaz, filed a petition signed by over 1 million European citizens calling upon the European Commission to put a moratorium on the introduction of GM crops into Europe. In the US, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), who regulates bio-tech foods and ensures that they are safe and correctly labelled, can be petitioned to possibly change the law. Under Section 553(e) of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), the public can provide impetus for rule-making. Citizens have exercised this right in order to require the FDA to assess the GE AquaBounty Salmon as a food additive, rather than a drug, and to request the mandatory labeling of GM and nano-tech foods. This rule-making has some similarities with the ECI, even though in the US a more individual approach is adopted. As such a provision already existed in the US, it might have inspired the EU to establish a similar one. Both processes allow direct democracy and the involvement of the public in the rule-making process, creating a direct dialogue between the government and the public. Second, institutions in the EU and the US have provided momentum to enhance the accommodation of consumer preferences. In the EU, the 2010 GM Crop Cultivation Proposal from the Commission allows Member States to restrict or prohibit GMO cultivation based on health and socio-economic considerations. Such a proposal could provide an opportunity for the public to be heard. In contrast, the US courts have shown willingness to listen to consumer preferences. In the 2010 Boggs case, the Court of Appeals 6th Circuit found that the Ohio ban at the heart of the case – which prohibited dairy processors from making claims about the absence of artificial hormones (growth hormones) in their milk products – breached dairy processors' First Amendment rights to free speech. Thus, consumers have an interest in knowing how their food was produced and manufacturers should be allowed to tell them.