Development Of Genetically Modified Crops Research Articles

Potential Uses, Perceptions and Policy Issues of Genetically Modified Crops in Africa: A Case Study of Kenya

Various genetic engineering techniques have been applied to develop genetically modified (GM) crops. These techniques have the greatest potential to address food insecurity and malnutrition problems in developing countries, for example, transgenic techniques have been successful in the development of bio-fortified cassava in Africa. Some techniques such as RNA interference (RNAi), virus induced gene silencing (VIGS) and CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing could also be of great use in developing disease and pest resistant or locally adapted cultivars. The GM crop adoption in Kenya has been hindered by lack of strong legislation structures, lack of knowledge about GM technology among the public and external influences. There is also lack of understanding about what GM crop development entails. There has been some progress in putting in place policies that build institutional capacity and regulate the use and handling of GM crops. These include the National Biotechnology Policy, the Biosafety Act of 2009, and the establishment of the National Biosafety Authority. Although Kenya has made some progress in putting in place legislations, the country is still far from incorporating the GM crops into the food system. Keywords: GM crops, Genetic engineering techniques, GM crop perceptions, Policy issues, Food security

A World without Hunger: Organic or GM Crops?

It has been estimated that the world population will increase to 9.2 billion by 2050; supplying the growing population with food will require a significant increase in agricultural production. A number of agricultural and ecological scientists believe that a large-scale shift to organic farming (OF) would not only increase the world’s food supply, but might be the only way to eradicate hunger sustainably. Nevertheless, OF has recently come under new scrutiny, not just from critics who fear that a large-scale shift in this direction would cause billions to starve but also from farmers and development agencies who question whether such a shift could improve food security. Meanwhile, the use of genetically modified (GM) crops is growing around the world, leading to possible opportunities to combat food insecurity and hunger. However, the development of GM crops has been a matter of considerable interest and worldwide public controversy. So far, no one has comprehensively analyzed whether a widespread shift to OF or GM would be the sole solution for both food security and safety. Using a literature review from databases of peer-reviewed scientific publications, books, and official publications, this study aims to address this issue. Results indicate that OF and GM, to different extents, are able to ensure food security and safety. In developed countries, given that there are relatively few farmers and that their productivity, even without GMOs, is relatively high, OF could be more a viable option. However, OF is significantly less efficient in land-use terms and may lead to more land being used for agriculture due to its lower yield. In developing countries, where many small-scale farmers have low agricultural productivity and limited access to agricultural technologies and information, an approach with both GM and OF might be a more realistic approach to ensure food security and safety.

Not just about “the science”: science education and attitudes to genetically modified foods among women in Australia

Previous studies investigating attitudes to genetically modified (GM) foods suggest a correlation between negative attitudes and low levels of science education, both of which are associated with women. In a qualitative focus group study of Australian women with diverse levels of education, we found attitudes to GM foods were part of a complex process of making “good” food decisions, which included other factors such as locally produced, fresh/natural, healthy and nutritious, and convenient. Women involved in GM crop development and those with health science training differed in how they used evidence to categorize GM foods. Our findings contribute to a deeper understanding of how GM food, and the role of science and technology in food production and consumption more broadly, is understood and discussed amongst diverse “publics” and across different “sciences,” and to research related to deepening public engagement at the intersection of science and values.

When technology is more than instrumental: How ethical concerns in EU agriculture co-evolve with the development of GM crops

Being more than mere passive objects used at human will, technologies co-determine the values and structures that shape the EU agricultural system. Technologies (in use) actively shape human interpretation, human action and co-shape our moral standards and routines. It is therefore important to account for the moral significance of agricultural technologies when characterising the structures in place within EU agriculture as well as when trying to understand why a particular agricultural technology is favoured or strongly opposed. From this perspective on technology, an interesting question to pose, is how, within their current use context, genetically modified (GM) crops mediate human interpretation and human practice? This technology is of particular interest, because after more than 30 years, the debate on GM crops is still profound and highly polarised within EU society. Yet, too often, this debate is devalued as being irrational or irrelevant, while we show in this article, based on a technological mediation analysis, how ethical concerns about agricultural practices have co-evolved with the technological development of GM crops. This qualifies public debate on GM crops in the EU as both legitimate and relevant, as, from this perspective on technology, it can be seen as an important way to both characterise and discuss how EU agriculture is and should be organised. Analysing technology in terms of the myriad ways in which it mediates the relationship between humans and their world, further allows us to make some suggestions about how to broaden the ongoing EU discussion beyond the current dichotomous Yes/No framing.

Attitudes of Agricultural Experts Toward Genetically Modified Crops: A Case Study in Southwest Iran.

The production of genetically modified (GM) crops is growing around the world, and with it possible opportunities to combat food insecurity and hunger, as well as solutions to current problems facing conventional agriculture. In this regard the use of GMOs in food and agricultural applications has increased greatly over the past decade. However, the development of GM crops has been a matter of considerable interest and worldwide public controversy. This, in addition to skepticism, has stifled the use of this practice on a large scale in many areas, including Iran. It stands to reason that a greater understanding of this practice could be formed after a review of the existing expert opinions surrounding GM crops. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to analyze the predictors that influence agricultural experts' attitudes toward the development of and policies related to GM crops. Using a descriptive correlational research method, questionnaire data was collected from 65 experts from the Agricultural Organization in the Gotvand district in Southwest Iran. Results indicated that agricultural experts were aware of the environmental benefits and possible risks associated with GM crops. The majority of participants agreed that GM crops could improve food security and accelerate rural development, and were proponents of labeling practices for GM crops. Finally, there was a positive correlation between the perception of benefits and attitudes towards GM crops.

Feeding the world: genetically modified crops versus agricultural biodiversity

The growing demand for food poses major challenges to humankind. We have to safeguard both biodiversity and arable land for future agricultural food production, and we need to protect genetic diversity to safeguard ecosystem resilience. We must produce more food with less input, while deploying every effort to minimize risk. Agricultural sustainability is no longer optional but mandatory. There is still an on-going debate among researchers and in the media on the best strategy to keep pace with global population growth and increasing food demand. One strategy favors the use of genetically modified (GM) crops, while another strategy focuses on agricultural biodiversity. Here, we discuss two obstacles to sustainable agriculture solutions. The first obstacle is the claim that genetically modified crops are necessary if we are to secure food production within the next decades. This claim has no scientific support, but is rather a reflection of corporate interests. The second obstacle is the resultant shortage of research funds for agrobiodiversity solutions in comparison with funding for research in genetic modification of crops. Favoring biodiversity does not exclude any future biotechnological contributions, but favoring biotechnology threatens future biodiversity resources. An objective review of current knowledge places GM crops far down the list of potential solutions in the coming decades. We conclude that much of the research funding currently available for the development of GM crops would be much better spent in other research areas of plant science, e.g., nutrition, policy research, governance, and solutions close to local market conditions if the goal is to provide sufficient food for the world’s growing population in a sustainable way.

Construction of a reference plasmid containing ten targets for the detection of genetically modified crops

Standard reference molecules play a significant role for the detection of genetically modified (GM) crops and products. The newest reference molecules should catch up with the rapid development of GM crops in the world. In this work, a reference plasmid containing ten targets from GM soybean, maize and cotton was constructed on the basis of the pTLE8 harboring eight targets only from GM soybean and cotton. Three target segments of the Bt176 event-specific 3′-junction (Bt176G3′), MON810 event-specific 3′-junction (MON810G3′) and the endogenous maize Hmg genes, were fused into the 890bp fragment by overlap extension PCR. The CP4 EPSPS gene in the plasmid pTLE8 previously constructed in our laboratory was replaced with above fusion fragment, thus generating a new plasmid pTLH10 containing ten target genes from GM soybean, maize and cotton. The PCR efficiencies with pTLH10 as a calibrator ranged from 93.3% to 99.9% for the standard curves of the Bt176G3′, MON810G3′ and Hmg genes. The standard deviation (SD) values of repeatability were from 0.04 to 0.8 for three different days and from 0.12 to 1.14 for one day, respectively. These results indicated that the reference plasmid constructed in this work is also suitable for the identification of GM maize, and would be an important tool to establish a feasible identification management for various GM crops components.

Experiences with the biosafety regulatory system in Kenya during the introduction, testing and development of Bt maize

�The introduction of genetically modified (GM) crops in Kenya is governed by a biotechnology policy, a biosafety law, and a biotechnology awareness strategy to enable research and development of GM crops. In addition, Kenya has the National Biosafety Authority (NBA) that regulates plant biosafety through technical institutions including the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Services (KEPHIS). Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) maize for stem borer pest control was imported and tested under this regulatory system. The Insect Resistant Maize for Africa (IRMA) project aimed at developing and deploying transgenic Bt maize for stem borer control in Kenya. The IRMA project developed and implemented an internal biosafety strategy. To comply with and implement the biosafety regulations, IRMA set-up biosafety facilities to develop, maintain and test the Bt maize. These included a biosafety level 2 laboratory, a biosafety level 2 greenhouse containment and a confined field trial site, which also provided valuable models to national and international interests. IRMA also developed protocols for the use and disposal of transgenic plant materials, and also generated data for guidance on post-harvest monitoring at Bt-maize trial sites. IRMA also trained Kenyan administrators, scientists, technicians and regulators on conducting and handling GM trials. Training included informal courses, seminars, scientists’ visits to established institutes, and support to research for degree related training. The project, therefore, provided major inputs in the development and advancement of biotechnology framework in Kenya. This paper reports on the achievements realized, challenges encountered by IRMA, and lessons learnt in research and development of GM crops in Kenya.

위해성평가와 관리를 고려한 유전자변형작물 개발의 필요성

Over the last five years, we have conducted research on risk assessment of domestically developed genetically modified (GM) crops and found a number of factors which could delay risk assessment process. In this review, we described such cases and discussed the problem of transgene cassette integration, the lack of information on vectors, the poor quality control in seed production and absence of bioinformatic analysis on amino acid sequence homology before GM crop development. To solve these problems, we have suggested the introduction of the screening system of elite event before risk assessment process and quality control strategies for GM seed production. In addition, we suggested that the developers of GM crops should understand the importance of risk assessment and management for the commercialization of those crops and consider the biological and ecological characteristics of host plants. Consistent communications may need to be established between GM crop developers, risk assessors and risk managers at the initial stages of GM crop development to reduce trial-and-errors.

Perception of Extension Specialists about the Role of Extension in the Production and Adoption of the Genetically Modified Crops in Iran

Extension specialists were surveyed in order to explore their perception about the role of extension in the production and adoption of Genetically Modified (GM) crops in Iran. The methodology used in this study involved a combination of descriptive and quantitative research. The total population for this study was 120 extension specialists in Iran. Extension specialists believed that the first priority of extension should be to increase the participation of stakeholders in the development of GM crops. Based on the perception of the respondents, 46% of the variance in the perception of extension specialists about the production of GM crops could be explained by two variables of informing about the research activities and improving the linkages between public and private sector. The results show that 44% of the variance in the perception of extension specialists about the adoption of GM crops could be explained by two variables of informing the publics about advantages of GM crops and improving the linkages between public and private sector.

Crop biotechnology and the African farmer

Recent reports, workshops and meetings on GM (Genetically Modified) crops tend to characterize GM food production as a solution to Africa’s food crisis. However, GM crops are currently grown commercially in only one country in Africa – South Africa. Biotechnology tools range from tissue culture to molecular breeding and genetic engineering. This paper focuses on GM crop improvement and analyzes the development of seven GM crops (six food staples and cotton) over the past 15 years in Africa. The case studies reveal a number of unexpected scientific, legal, economic and political barriers to the development of GM crops and long delays in developing and implementing national biosafety regulations and guidelines. We conclude that most GM crops are at least 10–15 years or longer from reaching smallholder farmers in Africa. During this time special attention should be given to strengthening conventional plant breeding programs in NARS (National Agricultural Research Systems), African universities and the CGIAR. Biotechnology approaches must be nested and integrated into plant breeding programs. Special attention should also be given to raising public awareness of biotechnology, mobilizing political support and commitment to strengthening African capacity in biotechnology, biosafety, food safety and IPR (Intellectual Property Rights) and mounting long-term training programs to train the next generation of African plant breeders and GM crop specialists.

Prospects for genetically modified crops

SummaryGenetically modified (GM) crops have been in use commercially around the world for almost a decade. This review covers the successes and failures of GM crop varieties in that time, the current status of GM crop adoption and the traits that are being used. It also describes some of the GM crops that might come on to the market in the next decade. The barriers in the way of GM crop development in Europe, including consumer hostility, the difficulty in gaining official approval and discriminatory labelling laws are discussed.