Genetically Modified Technology Research Articles

The brave new world: imperfect information, segregation costs, and genetically modified organisms

The introduction of genetically modified (GM) crops in the mid 1990s appeared to be the latest in a string of technological innovations in agriculture. However, consumer resistance, particularly in Europe has limited the sector’s enthusiasm. One response to the limited enthusiasm has been the emergence of segregated markets for GM and non-GM products. These separated markets reduce economic welfare because they require additional costs in the marketing system. Offsetting these segregation costs, however, the introduction of GM technologies offers increased economic welfare through reduced commodity prices for consumers who are indifferent to the presence of GM traits and increased profits to producers who adopt GM technologies. This study develops the combinations of segregation costs and increased supplies that leave societal surplus unchanged. Any GM technology that yields a larger increase in supply for any segregation cost depicted in this relationship meets the compensation principle and, thus, improves societal welfare. In this case, market based adoption of these technologies improve economic surplus. On the other hand, technologies that yields less increase in supply for any segregation cost reduces societal welfare. Under this scenario, market based adoption will not be welfare improving and, hence, government regulation may be required.

GM plants for your health

When will agricultural biotechnologies, such as genetically modified (GM) crops, reach Europe? This was the main question at the Agricultural Biotechnology International Conference (ABIC)—the largest of its kind—that took place in September this year in Cologne, Germany. Given that the ABIC was accompanied by a parallel conference organized by critics of GM crops and foods, this is an appropriate question. Most of the European Union (EU) member states have not yet approved the GM crops that are used widely and safely elsewhere in the world. Moreover, although the EU has finally lifted its moratorium on GM crops, and has passed new regulations for growing and marketing GM foods, national politics, legislation and ideological views about consumer and environmental protection have further hampered their use. European consumers remain wary of agricultural biotechnology and its products, as they do not see any direct benefits from GM crops and are, therefore, understandably reluctant to accept them. But it is only a matter of time before GM foods arrive on supermarket shelves across Europe, predicts Ashley O'Sullivan, President and CEO of Ag‐West Bio Inc. (Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada). “The reality for legislation to regulate agricultural biotechnology is that the train has left the station and there is no way of going back,” he added. > …to convince the cautious European public, agricultural biotechnology still has to […] offer products that directly benefit consumers But to convince the cautious European public, agricultural biotechnology still has to show that it can do more than increase the returns to farmers, and offer products that directly benefit consumers. The next wave of GM plants, which are currently being developed and tested in academic and industry laboratories around the world, including Europe, may soon do this. A range of new GM crops in the research pipeline will offer direct benefits to …

Expanding the Three Rs to Meet New Challenges in Humane Animal Experimentation

The Three Rs are the main principles used by Animal Ethics Committees in the governance of animal experimentation, but they appear not to cover some ethical issues that arise today. These include: a) claims that certain species should be exempted on principle from harmful research; b) increased emphasis on enhancing quality of life of research animals; c) research involving genetically modified (GM) animals; and d) animals bred as models of disease. In some cases, the Three Rs can be extended to cover these developments. The burgeoning use of GM animals in science calls for new forms of reduction through improved genetic modification technology, plus continued attention to alternative approaches and cost-benefit analyses that include the large numbers of animals involved indirectly. The adoption of more expanded definitions of refinement that go beyond minimising distress will capture concerns for enhancing the quality of life of animals through improved husbandry and handling. Targeting refinement to the unpredictable effects of gene modification may be difficult; in these cases, careful attention to monitoring and endpoints are the obvious options. Refinement can also include sharing data about the welfare impacts of gene modifications, and modelling earlier stages of disease, in order to reduce the potential suffering caused to disease models. Other issues may require a move beyond the Three Rs. Certain levels of harm, or numbers and use of certain species, may be unacceptable, regardless of potential benefits. This can be addressed by supplementing the utilitarian basis of the Three Rs with principles based on deontological and relational ethics. The Three Rs remain very useful, but they require thoughtful interpretation and expansion in order for Animal Ethics Committees to address the full range of issues in animal-based research.

Biotechnology boosts to crop productivity in China: trade and welfare implications

Genetically modified (GM) cotton is widely adopted and the list of GM technologies in trials is impressive in China. At the same time there is an active debate on when China should commercialize its GM food crops. This paper provides an economy-wide assessment of some of the issues surrounding the adoption and commercialization of biotechnology. Based on unique data from empirical micro-level study and field trials in China and a modified GTAP model, our results indicate that the development of biotechnology has an important impact on China's production, trade and welfare. Welfare gains far outweigh the public biotechnology research expenditures. Most gains occur inside China, and can be achieved independently from biotech-unfriendly polices adopted in some industrialized countries.

Inserting GM Products into the Food Chain: The Market and Welfare Effects of Different Labeling and Regulatory Regimes

The purpose of this article is to examine the system-wide effects of the introduction of genetically modified (GM) products with and without labeling and to compare these two regimes to a third regime where GM products are not present either because they have not yet been developed or because they have been banned. For each regime, the decisions and welfare of consumers, producers, and life science companies are examined. The article explicitly incorporates the consumer response to the introduction of GM technology and considers different market structures of the life science sector.

Consumer's Resistance to Genetically Modified Foods: The Role of Information in an Uncertain Environment

Genetically modified (GM) foods have been engulfed in considerable controversy, and the early optimism has been dampened. Information issues—labeling and asymmetric information—are central to the GM-food debate. Furthermore, it is important to understand the reaction in developed countries to GM-foods because they set the tone of the world market in grains, oilseeds, and animal products. New results are reported from a statistical analysis of the market characteristics that push consumers in a high-income country to resist GM foods, with an emphasis on negative information from environmental groups and third-party, verifiable information, which could neutralize private information distributed by interested parties. A unique sample of adult consumers participated in laboratory auctions of three food products with randomized labeling and information treatments. A key finding is that GM information supplied by environmental groups increases the probability that consumers are out of the market for GM-foods. Third-party verifiable information, however, dissipates most of the negative effect of the environmental group perspective. Selective adoption of GM crops seems likely to raise world welfare but Western Europe’s banning of GM imports and technology will largely affect them negatively.

Live genetically modified bacteria as drug delivery tools: at the doorstep of a new pharmacology?

Recent advances in genetic modification technology show that lactic acid bacteria can constitutively produce functional, eukaryote-derived proteins without any apparent negative effect on bacterial growth and physiology. These bacteria appear capable of surviving and of being physiologically active at the mucosal surfaces of higher eukaryotes. Studies in animal models also suggest that these findings could have a major impact in human medicine. Alongside conceptual proofs, the development of a robust system for biological containment will allow for the examination of genetically modified lactic acid bacteria as vectors of therapeutic protein delivery in human healthcare.

Putting GM technologies to work: public research pipelines in selected African countries

Can public policies and research institutions in African countries provide safe and useful genetically modified (GM) food crops? This is an urgent question, recognizing that advancing GM food crops can be difficult, affected by global debate, and various regulatory protocols. Reaching farmers has been achieved in several countries only for GM cotton for insect resistant while approvals for food and feed crops lag behind. To address this question, we identified and examined public research pipelines for GM crops in Egypt, Kenya, South Africa and Zimbabwe. Genetic transformation events are reported for 21 crops. Findings are presented for events nearing final stages of development, analysis of the crops, traits and genes involved, and details regarding biosafety. The paper concludes with a summary offering various policies, institutional and regulatory suggestions. Key Words: Africa, biosafety, biotechnology, genetic modification, public research African Journal of Biotechnology Vol.3(11) 2004: 564-571

Advancement in Genetic Modification Technologies Towards Disease Resistance and Food Crop Production

3 Abstract: Genetically modified (GM) crops are cultivated presently in more than 40 million hectares in more than 13 countries in the World. The GM technology contained introduced microbial genes that provide tolerance to broad-spectrum herbicides such as glufosinate or glyophosate and resistance to pest and diseases. The continuous search for disease control strategies in crop production and the prospect of meeting the goals of global sustainable food crop production, has led to a significant interest in the GM technology as a modern tool for the introduction of disease resistance in crops. This review document attempts to discuss the progress of GM technology as a vital tool for the engineering of pathogen resistance in crops, the evolution of clone d disease resistance genes and the level of success of the GM disease resistant crops in commercial release. The GM technologies have the potential for producing improved high yielding disease resistant crops and better quality food products for consumption.

GM crops: science, politics and communication.

As the public debate in Europe about genetically modified (GM) crops heats up and the trade row between the United States and the European Union over GM food escalates, what better time to examine the issues with an international group of experts (Box 1). Their views are diverse, but they all agree that we need more impartial communication, less propaganda and an effective regulatory regime that is based on a careful case-by-case consideration of GM technology. It seems that GM crops are here to stay, so let us hope that these requirements are met and that the developing nations that perhaps have the most to gain from this technology can start to reap its benefits.

CHINA, GMOS AND WORLD TRADE IN AGRICULTURAL AND TEXTILE PRODUCTS

Abstract. China's rapid industrialization and recent accession to the WTO makes it difficult for the country to maintain self‐sufficiency in agricultural products. Genetic modification technology could ease the situation, but is not without controversy. This paper focuses on the implication of GMO controversy for China. It explores the potential economic effects of China's not adopting versus adopting GMOs when some of its trading partners adopt that technology. The effects are shown to depend to a considerable extent on the trade policy stance taken in high‐income countries that are opposed to GMOs, and/or on the liberalization of China's trade in textiles and apparel.

A survey of yield differences between transgenic and non-transgenic crops

In the current survey, there was no clear evidence that GM (genetically modified) crops are higher yielding than those conventionally bred<fnoteref rid="fn1">1</fnoteref>. Furthermore, there were no trials to support valid comparisons of yield per se. This article investigates GM crop yields, introducing the importance of hybrid vigour and a non-stress environment for higher percentage heritability selection and therefore more productive conventional plant breeding and improved crops. GM technology and crops are compared with proven plant breeding methods, with respect to hybrid vigour and the economic viability of both systems. These proven methods of plant breeding are (1) traditional landrace cropping, (2) conventional Mendelian breeding and (3) Isolection Mendelian breeding, and are also considered historically.

The use of genetic modification technologies in the discovery of genes affecting production traits and disease resistance in animals

Genetic modification technologies, developed initially in laboratory strains of selected bacteria and viruses, are essential tools for understanding the genomes of livestock. These tools allow researchers to: isolate, sequence and characterise any livestock gene; locate genes on chromosomes; follow the inheritance of any gene and/or chromosomal region in any pedigree; detect phenotypic variation due to, or associated with, variation in the DNA sequence of a gene and identify the genetic alteration causing this. Most of the many thousands of genes identified in livestock vary between individuals. Finding the best type of the key genes affecting animal productivity is an exciting and a daunting task. It is only possible with the use of laboratory-based genetic modification techniques. This review will briefly describe the technologies now in use and, using local examples, show how molecular geneticists are using these to help identify genetic alterations and breed healthier or more productive animals. As with any new technology, a new language evolves to describe new products and processes. The new language makes communication easier between participants in the field but more difficult for others to understand the technology. A glossary of terms has therefore been added to this review to help readers less familiar with molecular genetics.

Feeding prejudice. Reluctance within the European Union to accept genetically modified crops may hinder the benefits of this technology reaching the developing world.

Reluctance within the European Union to accept genetically modified crops may hinder the benefits of this technology reaching the developing world

New Zealand's Royal Commission on Genetic Modification: a critical review

The New Zealand Royal Commission on Genetic Modification was established in May 2000 to consider how New Zealand should respond to genetic modification technology and its applications and to advise on any needed changes to relevant law or policy. This article provides a critical analysis of the Royal Commission's report. It begins with an overview of the report and then goes on to examine the reasoning behind its conclusions with respect to key issues, including crops, food and New Zealand's institutional structure for the regulation of genetic modification technology. The article concludes that although the report constitutes a valuable snapshot of the genetic modification debate in a national setting where the stakes are unusually high, the quality of the Royal Commission's reasoning is often disappointing.

Industrial dimensions of food allergy.

Serious attempts to estimate the impact of allergic reactions to foods on public health did not begin until the 1980s. Until about 15 years ago, food allergy was considered a minor aspect of food safety. Two developments probably prompted a radical re-appraisal of that situation. The first was the apparently inexorable rise in the prevalence of atopic diseases, of which food allergy forms a part, with its possible consequences highlighted by some well publicized severe reactions. The second was the growth of genetic modification technology, manifested by the commercialization of transgenic crops. Each of these developments impacted on the food industry in distinct ways. On the one hand, food-allergic consumers had to be enabled to avoid specific allergens in products formulated with existing ingredients. Food manufacturers therefore had to identify those specific allergens down to trace amounts in all the ingredients forming the product, and label or remove them. On the other hand, the introduction of products using ingredients from novel sources required an assessment of the allergenicity of these ingredients as an integral part of safety assurance. The approaches used by the food industry to protect existing allergic consumers and those at potential risk of sensitization by novel proteins will be illustrated, emphasizing how they need to be built into every stage of the life cycle of a product.

Identity Preservation of Genetically Modified Organisms in the Food Chain: Requirements, Methods, and Costs

The use of the technology of genetic modification (GM) in European agriculture and the food supply chain is currently controversial. Because of strong anti-GM technology sentiments, the use of ingredients derived from plants containing GM have largely been eliminated from foods manufactured for direct human consumption by the food supply chain in much of the European Union (EU). During the past year, the attention of those opposed to the technology has turned to the use of GM ingredients in livestock production systems by incorporation of GM soy and maize in animal feed. A discussion is presented of the key issues relating to this subject, focusing on how supplies of GM or non-GM products are segregated or how their identities are preserved. The discussion is centered on GM maize and soybeans into which agronomic traits, such as herbicide tolerance and/or insect resistance, have been incorporated. These are currently the only crops into which some varieties containing GM have been approved for use in the EU.

Current and future benefits from the use of GM technology in food production

For the current generation of genetically modified (GM) crops the improvement of agronomic traits (e.g. herbicide tolerance, insect resistance) has been a major objective. The lack of obvious and direct benefits for the consumer has been a main point of criticism. Future trends will increasingly encompass the modification of quality traits, such as the improvement of sensory and especially nutritional properties. Some of the ongoing developments try to meet the desire of consumers for ‘healthy’ or ‘high-tech’ foods in developed countries. Others are intended to assist in adjusting the nutritional status of foods to the needs of consumers in developing countries. Considering the increasing world population and the limited amount of arable land, GM technology may also become a valuable tool to ensure food security. The major prerequisite for the applicability of the technique is the safety of the resulting products. The increasing complexity of modifications intended might require adjustments and improvements of the strategies applied to the safety assessment of GM foods. Present research activities try to meet these new challenges.

Clinical risk assessment of GM foods

The main concerns about adverse effects of genetically modified (GM) foods on health are the transfer of antibiotic resistance, toxicity and allergenicity. There are two issues from an allergic standpoint. First, the transfer of a known allergen may occur from a crop into a non-allergenic target crop. The second scenario is the creation of a neo-allergen where de novo sensitisation occurs in the population. The first scenario occurred in 1996 when the 2S albumen protein from Brazil nut was transferred into soy bean (N. Engl. J. Med. 334 (1996) 688). 2S albumen was found to be a major Brazil nut allergen and the newly expressed protein in transgenic soy retained its allergenicity. Patients allergic to Brazil nuts and not to soy bean now showed an IgE mediated response towards GM soy bean. We argue that it is possible to prevent such occurrences by doing IgE-binding studies and taking into account physico-chemical characteristics of proteins and referring to known allergen databases. The second possible scenario of de novo sensitisation does not easily lend itself to risk assessment. We compare GM technology to traditional plant breeding and food processing methods. There is no evidence that the technology used for the production of GM foods poses an allergic threat per se compared to other methodologies widely accepted in the food industry. We need to proceed cautiously in the future, assessing individual GM foods on the basis of their individual merits and risks prior to introducing them into the market.

Environmental benefits of genetically modified crops: Global and European perspectives on their ability to reduce pesticide use

Summary The Green Revolution, which brought together improved varieties, increased use of fertiliser, irrigation and synthetic pesticides, is credited with helping to feed the current global population of 6 billion. While this paper recognises the ability of pesticides to reduce crop losses, it also discusses their potential negative effects on public health, with particular emphasis in developing countries, and the environment. The response of the agricultural industry in bringing forward new technology such as reduced application rates of targeted pesticides with lower toxicity and persistency is noted. However, with increasing world population, a slowing of the rate of crop improvement through conventional breeding and a declining area of land available for food production there is a need for new technologies to produce more food of improved nutritional value in an environmentally acceptable and sustainable manner. Whilst the authors recognise that the introduction of genetically modified (GM) crops is controversial, the benefits of these crops, including their effect on pesticide use is only now beginning to be documented. Published data are used to estimate what effect GM crops have had on pesticide use first on a global basis, and then to predict what effect they would have if widely grown in the European Union (EU). On a global basis GM technology has reduced pesticide use, with the size of the reduction varying between crops and the introduced trait. It is estimated that the use of GM soybean, oil seed rape, cotton and maize varieties modified for herbicide tolerance and insect protected GM varieties of cotton reduced pesticide use by a total of 22.3 million kg of formulated product in the year 2000. Estimates indicate that if 50% of the maize, oil seed rape, sugar beet, and cotton grown in the EU were GM varieties, pesticide used in the EU/annum would decrease by 14.5 million kg of formulated product (4.4 million kg active ingredient). In addition there would be a reduction of 7.5 million ha sprayed which would save 20.5 million litres of diesel and result in a reduction of approximately 73,000 t of carbon dioxide being released into the atmosphere. The paper also points to areas where GM technology may make further marked reductions in global pesticide use.