Genetically Modified Organisms Research Articles

Role of genetically modified organisms in food, crop production, their regulations, and controversy

Abstract Estimates suggest that over one-third of food is lost or wasted along the food supply chain, with significant environmental and economic effects. This is one of the primary problems with today’s food systems, along with decreased agricultural yield and food quality. Many people attribute the decline in output and the deterioration of food quality to a lack of technology and ignorance about modern technologies. As a result, scientists are working hard to find innovative solutions to these problems and create new food production methods to feed the world’s growing population. Increased agricultural yields and quality may be achieved in a variety of settings by employing genetically engineered techniques. Newer techniques and technologies involving genetic modification and recombinant (r) deoxyribonucleic acid could be very helpful in the pursuit of significant improvements in food production and food supply, and biotechnology is a key part of this. Recent progress in genetic engineering, where it came from, the current trend, and its potential future are all discussed in this overview. Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are major aspects of the industrial food system, and most packaged foods contain GMOs ingredients that have been bred to be resistant to pesticides and herbicides. There are a number of factors that raise red flags concerning GMOs, including safety, consequences on the environment and present ineffective employment of pesticides have also been considered. Furthermore, GMOs regulation and controversy among different scientists has also been discussed. Many individuals are concerned about GMOs, yet they may not fully grasp the concerns at hand. Therefore, the level of GMO knowledge revealed by this review can be calculated.

Studies on Benefits of Organic Food Products in Human Life during Covid-19

Organic food products have gained considerable attention in recent years due to their perceived health and environmental benefits. This comprehensive review examines the scientific evidence surrounding the advantages of consuming organic foods compared to conventionally produced counterparts. Firstly, organic farming practices emphasize the use of natural fertilizers and biological pest control methods, avoiding synthetic pesticides and genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Numerous studies have demonstrated that organic produce tends to have lower pesticide residues, reducing the potential health risks associated with pesticide exposure. Moreover, organic farming promotes soil health and biodiversity by minimizing the use of synthetic chemicals and fostering sustainable agricultural practices. Healthy soils are essential for nutrient-rich crops and contribute to long-term environmental sustainability. Additionally, organic agriculture typically utilizes crop rotation and intercropping techniques, which enhance soil fertility and resilience. Furthermore, organic livestock production adheres to stringent animal welfare standards, including access to outdoor grazing and the prohibition of routine antibiotic use and growth hormones. As a result, organic meat, dairy, and poultry products often contain higher levels of beneficial nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants. In terms of nutritional quality, several meta-analyses have suggested that organic fruits and vegetables may have slightly higher levels of certain vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants compared to conventionally grown counterparts. While the differences may be modest, the cumulative effects of consuming organic foods over time could contribute to improved overall health outcomes. Beyond individual health benefits, supporting organic agriculture also has positive implications for environmental conservation and sustainable food systems. By minimizing chemical inputs and promoting biodiversity, organic farming helps mitigate soil erosion, water pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions associated with conventional agriculture.

An overview on the impact of genetically engineered organisms on crop yield and safety

Genetically Engineered Organisms (GEOs) have ushered in a new era in agriculture, revolutionizing crop yield and safety through techniques like transgenic modification and genome editing. This review delves into the profound impact of GEOs on agricultural landscapes, elucidating their role in enhancing crop traits, and bolstering resistance to pests, diseases, and adverse environmental conditions, thereby ensuring food security for a burgeoning global population. However, amidst these advancements, persistent concerns regarding GEOs' environmental and health ramifications persist. The review critically examines potential unintended consequences within ecosystems and addresses human health implications, particularly allergenicity. Furthermore, it scrutinizes existing regulatory frameworks and the pivotal role of public perception in shaping the trajectory of GEOs. While emphasizing the intricate interplay between genetic engineering and crop production, the review advocates for continued research and informed decision-making to harness the benefits of GEOs while mitigating potential risks. Additionally, it underscores the significance of enhancing science communication and regulatory measures to address ethical concerns and combat misinformation. With advancements in precision gene-integration technologies and emerging research in biofortification and stress tolerance, GEOs are promising to enhance commercial agriculture's productivity and profitability. However, achieving this potential necessitates proactive measures such as improved regulation, risk mitigation strategies, and enhanced communication with stakeholders to ensure GEOs' responsible and sustainable integration into agricultural systems.

Quantitative and qualitative analysis of three DNA extraction methods from soybean, maize, and canola oils and investigation of the presence of genetically modified organisms (GMOs)

The objective of this study was to develop a DNA-based method for the identification and tracking of edible oils, which is important for health management. Three different DNA extraction methods (CTAB, MBST kit, and manual hexane-based method) were used to obtain high-purity DNA from crude and refined soybean, maize, and canola oils. PCR was then conducted using specific primers to identify the presence of genes related to each oil type and to assess transgenicity. The results showed that DNA was present in crude and refined oils, but in very low amounts. However, using method 3 for DNA extraction provided sufficient quantity and quality of DNA for successful PCR amplification. The study concluded that the main challenge in DNA extraction from oils is the presence of PCR inhibitors, which can be overcome using the manual hexane-based method. Also, the examination of protein presence in the oils using SDS-PAGE did not indicate any protein bands.

Post-harvest Biotechnology or Genetic Engineering Solutions: Extending Shelf Life and Reducing Food Waste

Post-harvest losses and food waste have become critical challenges in the global food supply chain, contributing to economic losses, environmental degradation, and food insecurity. This article explores the innovative applications of post-harvest biotechnology and genetic engineering as promising solutions to address these issues by extending the shelf life of perishable products and minimizing food waste. Advancements in genetic engineering techniques have paved the way for the development of crops with enhanced resistance to pests, diseases, and environmental stresses. Additionally, the manipulation of genes associated with ripening and senescence has allowed scientists to engineer fruits and vegetables with extended shelf life. These genetically modified organisms (GMOs) exhibit improved post-harvest characteristics, providing a longer window for transportation, storage, and consumption. Biotechnological interventions also include the use of biocontrol agents and beneficial microorganisms to suppress post-harvest pathogens, thereby reducing spoilage and decay. The development of bio-preservatives, such as antimicrobial peptides and natural compounds, offers an eco-friendly alternative to traditional chemical preservatives, contributing to both food safety and sustainability. Furthermore, the integration of smart packaging technologies with genetic modifications enhances the monitoring and control of environmental conditions during storage and transportation. Intelligent packaging materials equipped with sensors can detect changes in temperature, humidity, and gas composition, enabling real-time adjustments to prolong the freshness of perishable goods.

Where does the EU-path on new genomic techniques lead us?

Recently, the European Commission (EC) published a regulatory proposal on plants generated with new genomic techniques (NGTs) (5 July 2023). According to this proposal, NGT plant applications are categorized into category 1 NGT (NGT1) and category 2 NGT (NGT2) based on their molecular characteristics, which diverges from the current legislation centered around Directive 2001/18/EC. To demonstrate where the path of the proposal leads to in practice, we applied the proposed criteria for categorization to a list of NGT plant applications currently in the commercialization pipeline. Combining literature research and a descriptive statistical approach, we can show that 94% of the plant applications affected by the EC proposal, would be classified as NGT1 and thus would receive market approval without risk assessment, monitoring, and sufficient labeling provisions. The remaining 6% of applications would be classified as NGT2 plants, for which, in deviation from the current regulation, an adapted risk assessment is proposed. Screening of the intended traits in the pipeline highlights that certain NGT1 plants can pose similar environmental risks (e.g., invasiveness) to other genetically modified organisms (GMOs), as defined in Directive 2001/18/EC. For example, NGT1 applications based on RNA interference technology can exhibit insecticidal effects with potential side effects on non-target organisms (i.e., other insects). Our quantitative and case-specific elaboration of how the current EC regulatory proposal would affect the environment, health, and consumer protection will be informative for decision-makers and politicians.

A Review on Propelling Agricultural Practices with Biotechnology into a New Era

The profound impact of biotechnological advancements on Indian agriculture, highlighting the transformative potential of integrating cutting-edge biotechnologies to propel agricultural practices into a new era. It meticulously examines the historical evolution of agricultural biotechnology in India, identifying key technological milestones that have significantly enhanced crop yield, nutrition, and stress resistance. Special emphasis is placed on the revolutionary roles of genetic modification, CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing, and the application of biopesticides and biofertilizers, showcasing their contribution to sustainable farming practices. The analysis further explores the socio-economic implications of these biotechnological interventions, including their effects on food security, employment opportunities, and rural development, while also addressing public concerns and ethical considerations surrounding genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Challenges and limitations, such as technical hurdles, regulatory frameworks, and public perception, are critically assessed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the current landscape. The article concludes with a forward-looking perspective on future advancements, emphasizing the potential of novel technologies like gene drives, synthetic biology, and nanotechnology, along with the integration of big data and artificial intelligence, to further enhance precision agriculture. Collaborative efforts and policy recommendations are proposed to navigate the challenges and harness the opportunities presented by biotechnology for sustainable agricultural advancements. Through this review, the article aims to contribute to the discourse on biotechnology's pivotal role in ensuring food security, adapting to climate change, and fostering sustainable development in India's agricultural sector, thereby supporting the global quest for sustainable food systems.

Sustainable protein production through genetic engineering of cyanobacteria and use of atmospheric N2 gas

AbstractThis review explores the potential of genetically engineering cyanobacteria with the aim of synthesizing high‐value protein directly from atmospheric nitrogen. The article examines numerous techniques that may enhance protein synthesis in cyanobacteria, and discusses advantages, barriers, and opportunities for this strategy going forward. Genetic manipulation of cyanobacteria shows promise in sustainably raising protein production via reduced greenhouse gas emissions and lower dependence on synthetic fertilizers, but also potentially fewer environmental implications traditionally caused by conventional protein production methods. The article uncovers many difficulties in genetically modifying cyanobacteria for protein production. For example, genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have legal and regulatory ramifications that must be accounted for if ethical, moral and secure use of these technologies is to be ensured. Economic viability, too, must be evaluated, taking into consideration production costs, scalability, market demand and future market potential. We suggest that processing of cyanobacterial proteins in downstream stages need further development. Effective and economical methods are needed for protein extraction, purification, and formulation into commercially viable products. For successful application of cyanobacterial protein production at scale, such obstacles must be overcome. We conclude that genetic engineering of cyanobacteria for protein synthesis has a great deal of potential to offer a resource‐effective and sustainable replacement for the synthesis of high‐value proteins, so promoting a more sustainable and environmentally conscious future.

Challenges and opportunities for access to Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products in Brazil

IntroductionThe marketing authorization of Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs) in Brazil is recent. The features of these therapies impose specialized regulatory action and are consequently challenging for developers. The goal of this study was to identify the industry's experience in clinical development, marketing authorization and access to ATMPs through the Unified Health System (SUS, acronym in Portuguese), from a regulatory perspective. MethodsA survey containing structured questions was conducted among research participants who work at companies that commercialize ATMPs. A descriptive analysis was performed. ResultsWe invited 15 foreign pharmaceutical companies, of which 10 agreed to participate. Overall, participants assessed that Brazil has a well-established regulatory system, especially the sanitary registration by the National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa), which ensures the quality, safety, and efficacy of the products. The Agency's good interaction with the regulated sector, the harmonization of sanitary and ethical assessment systems with other countries, and the analysis time in the biosafety assessment of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) stand out as positive in industry's evaluation. On the other hand, it is important to advance the pricing regulation for these products since Brazilian regulations do not establish specific criteria for ATMP. One of the biggest challenges is the difficulty for the SUS in reimbursing these very high-cost therapies, especially using current Health Technology Assessment (HTA) methods. Conclusions and RecommendationsConsidering the increasing number of approvals of cell and gene therapies in Brazil in the coming years, a close dialogue between the industry and the public sector is recommended to advance regulatory improvements (pricing and HTA). Additionally, the construction of policies to promote the national Health Economic-Industrial Complex, based on a mission-oriented vision that encourages innovative models of financing, especially those that consider risk-sharing and co-financing technologies, will help provide the population with universal, equitable and sustainable access to ATMP in the SUS.

Consumer knowledge and understanding of food labelling information in Klipgat region, of South Africa

Food labels are the first source of information customers come across when sourcing a food product. Labels provide information about the ingredients, nutritional content, allergens, as well as the origin and advice on the food’s processing and preservation conditions. This information allows the consumer to make informed food choices. Although food labels are provided to help consumers choose healthy foods, it is not established whether they know and understand the information to use to their advantage. The need to comprehend consumer knowledge, understand food labelling information, and whether it could influence consumer choices are vital to researchers, policymakers, and the food industry. The study investigated the knowledge and understanding of food labelling information among Klipgat consumers. In a cross-sectional community-based study with a structured questionnaire, 400 participants were conveniently interviewed on consumer knowledge, understanding of information, and utilization of labelling information. A chi-square for the association of variables compared differences in the districts, and p-value <0.05 was regarded as significantly different. Overall, 79.9% of the study group from all three regions knew that processed food must have a label. Most respondents in the three regions were males (64%). There was a general lack of knowledge about food labelling information (x2=10.726; p=0.03), especially with terms such as trans-fatty acids (23.1%), monounsaturated fat (5.3%), Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) (15.3%) and Genetically Modified Organism (GMO), (14.7%). Socio-demographic characteristics including gender (p=0.030), age (p=0.030), language (p=0.030) and educational level (p=0.030) were significantly associated with consumers’ knowledge and understanding of the labels. The results from this study are useful for the development of communication and awareness strategies of food labelling information, with special emphasis on the use of simpler terminologies. This paper advocates for the development of a “food labelling forum,” consisting of relevant stakeholders with a mandate to; establish, implement, and maintain food labeling strategies, community engagement and general food labeling awareness programs especially in typical communities of South Africa. Key words: communities, food labelling information, labelling terminology, consumer label understanding

THE PSYCHOLOGY OF THE HUMAN BRAIN ALONG WITH THE EFFECTS OF GENETICALLY MODIFIED FOODS

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have sparked widespread controversy, with public apprehensions surrounding their safety and effects. This paper delves into the psychology of the human brain concerning GMOs and their impact. It highlights that while scientific research overwhelmingly supports the safety of GMO foods, public perception remains wary, driven by psychological factors. Human psychology often leads to irrational fears, misinformation, and the politicization of science, contributing to public distrust of GMOs. Understanding these psychological aspects is crucial to addressing misconceptions and fostering informed discussions. This study underscores the significance of comprehending human psychology in the context of contemporary issues like GMOs, shedding light on the complexities that shape public opinion.

Exploring Traditional Agricultural Techniques Integrated with Modern Farming for a Sustainable Future : A Review

Potential of integrating traditional agricultural techniques with modern farming practices in India, aiming to forge a path towards sustainable agriculture. Recognizing the multifaceted challenges faced by the agricultural sector, including environmental degradation, climate change, and socio-economic disparities, the paper explores the synergistic potential of blending age-old wisdom with contemporary agricultural advancements. The analysis begins with a historical overview of traditional Indian agricultural practices, such as crop rotation, terracing, polyculture, and the use of organic manures, underscoring their inherent sustainability and ecological harmony. Modern farming techniques, including mechanization, the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), and precision agriculture, are examined for their advancements and limitations, particularly concerning environmental and economic impacts. The core of the review focuses on the integration of these two paradigms, emphasizing the rationale behind such a merger, which includes enhancing sustainability, increasing biodiversity, and improving soil health. A series of case studies from various Indian states illustrate successful examples of this integration, including agroforestry, organic farming, and permaculture practices. The paper also addresses the challenges and barriers to integration, highlighting sociocultural factors, economic constraints, policy and regulatory issues, and hurdles in knowledge and technology transfer. Looking forward, it outlines the future directions and research needs in this domain, emphasizing the critical role of policy and government support, the necessity for targeted education and awareness programs for farmers and consumers, and identifying research gaps. The paper concludes by affirming the viability and necessity of integrating traditional and modern farming practices in India, advocating for a model of agriculture that is sustainable, resilient, and inclusive, catering to the needs of the present while safeguarding resources for future generations.

Cereal crop genome editing tools and their applications to sustainable agriculture

Sustainable agriculture is essential to attain food security and address increasing climate change concerns. Population, abiotic and biotic stresses and limited agricultural water supplies and land are important barriers to cereal crops production, in addition to extreme weather. These factors influence their quality and productivity. Therefore, there is a pressing need for effective methods of food production under these conditions. For many individuals in low- and middle-income nations, cereals represent a key food source. Developing cereal crops with enhanced flexibility, high yields, and the ability to tolerate these biotic and abiotic problems is therefore essential. Modern OMICS techniques, next-generation sequencing, bioinformatics tools and the most recent improvements in genome editing tools (GET) have made targeted mutagenesis conceivable. By altering a crop variety's endogenous genome, which is free of any foreign genes, genome editing (GE) enhances the crop variety. Therefore, crops that have undergone GE but have not integrated foreign genes are not considered genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in a number of countries. GE is being used by researchers to promote the nutritional value of cereal crops and increase their tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses. This review critically discusses the activities of GET, the role of bioinformatics tools and its application to sustainable agriculture for cereal crops.

Strategies for Traceability to Prevent Unauthorised GMOs (Including NGTs) in the EU: State of the Art and Possible Alternative Approaches

The EU’s regulatory framework for genetically modified organisms (GMOs) was developed for “classical” transgenic GMOs, yet advancements in so-called “new genomic techniques (NGTs)” have led to implementation challenges regarding detection and identification. As traceability can complement detection and identification strategies, improvements to the existing traceability strategy for GMOs are investigated in this study. Our results are based on a comprehensive analysis of existing traceability systems for globally traded agricultural products, with a focus on soy. Alternative traceability strategies in other sectors were also analysed. One focus was on traceability strategies for products with characteristics for which there are no analytical verification methods. Examples include imports of “conflict minerals” into the EU. The so-called EU Conflict Minerals Regulation requires importers of certain raw materials to carry out due diligence in the supply chain. Due diligence regulations, such as the EU’s Conflict Minerals Regulation, can legally oblige companies to take responsibility for certain risks in their supply chains. They can also require the importer to prove the regional origin of imported goods. The insights from those alternative traceability systems are transferred to products that might contain GMOs. When applied to the issue of GMOs, we propose reversing the burden of proof: All companies importing agricultural commodities must endeavour to identify risks of unauthorised GMOs (including NGTs) in their supply chain and, where appropriate, take measures to minimise the risk to raw material imports. The publication concludes that traceability is a means to an end and serves as a prerequisite for due diligence in order to minimise the risk of GMO contamination in supply chains. The exemplary transfer of due diligence to a company in the food industry illustrates the potential benefits of mandatory due diligence, particularly for stakeholders actively managing non-GMO supply chains.

GMOCU: Digital Documentation, Management, and Biological Risk Assessment of Genetic Parts.

The continuous evolution of molecular biology and gene synthesis methods paired with an ever-increasing potential of synthetic biology approaches and genome engineering toolkits enables the rapid design of genetic bioparts and genetically modified organisms. Although various software solutions assist with specific design tasks and challenges, lab internal documentation and ensuring compliance with governmental regulations on biosafety assessment of the generated organisms remain the responsibility of individual academic researchers. This results in inconsistent and redundant documentation regimes and a significant time and labor burden. GMOCU (GMO documentation) is a standardized semi-automatic user-oriented software approach -written in Python and freely available- that unifies lab internal data documentation on genetic parts and genetically modified organisms (GMOs). It automatizes biological risk evaluations and maintains a shared up-to-date inventory of bioparts for team-wide data navigation and sharing. GMOCU further enables data export into customizable formats suitable for scientific publications, official biosafety documents, and the research community.

Exploring Game Theory in the Realm of Genetically Modified Organisms: A Multidimensional Review

The use of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) has sparked a lot of controversy since their introduction in agriculture, predominantly due to concerns regarding health risks, environmental impacts, and ethical considerations. By analyzing existing studies and models, this paper delves into the application of Game Theory in the context of GMOs, elucidating the interactions between different stakeholders. The objective of this paper is to investigate various dimensions surrounding GMOs, including the adoption of GMOs by farmers, consumer behaviors, regulatory policies, and global agriculture. Existing studies have revealed that the global agricultural order has been greatly affected, impacting both adopters and non-adopters of GMOs. Farmers choose to adopt GMO crops due to an increased yield and economic benefits. The rise of new medias has brought misinformation to the public, leading to decreased acceptance of GMOs and thus affecting the market dynamics. Regulatory policies exhibit significant variations between countries, aimed at influencing purchasing decisions and shaping agricultural dynamics.

Risk-appropriate regulations for gene-editing technologies

ABSTRACT This paper explores the scope for the newly emerging technologies, based on gene editing (GE) contributing to addressing the global challenges that we face. These challenges relate to food security, climate change and biodiversity depletion. In particular, it examines the science and evidence behind the most appropriate forms of agricultural production to meet these challenges, the targets set in the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) agreed to at the end of 2022 and the possible role of GE technologies in contributing to meeting these targets. It then examines the most risk-appropriate regulatory environment required to best facilitate the adoption of GE technology, drawing on the experiences of the impact of regulatory systems for other innovations used in agricultural and food production systems such as genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

Networked framing of GMO risks and discussion fragmentation on Chinese social media: a dynamic perspective

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have been highly controversial in China and beyond. The burgeoning of social media has created an online activist field where participants utilize networked framing practices to engage in connective actions related to GMO risks. However, a dynamic perspective on the co-production of GMO risk discourses has yet to be fully explored, and it is still under debate whether such a collective interpretation is fragmented. To address this gap, this study investigates the risk-invoked GMO controversy by longitudinally exploring the structural characteristics and discursive power structures in the networked framing of GMO risks on social media. This study examines 356,227 GMO risk posts from 2010 to 2020 on the Chinese social media platform Weibo. A longitudinal social network analysis and computational text-mining approach are used to construct representation networks among participants based on their joint sponsorship framing practices of GMO risks. The findings suggest that there is a multipolar discussion fragmentation in the networked framing of GMO risks. However, the temporal evidence shows that the risk discussion has become increasingly interconnected and less structurally fragmented over time. In addition, this study highlights the unequal distribution of discursive power among participants; nevertheless, the analysis reveals that this inequality has shown signs of easing over the study period. Overall, this study provides a comprehensive analysis of the GMO controversy from a risk perspective and sheds light on the dynamics of networked framing practices and discursive power structures on social media.

Public Perception of Genetically Modified Organisms and the Implementation of Biosafety Measures in Kenya

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are an important nexus of biotechnology, agriculture, and research. GMOs have gained popularity because of their potential to address global food insecurity. However, the widespread adoption of GMOs has sparked debates and controversies. This study collected data on the threats and effects of the GMO ban and the status of implementation of Biosafety Act and Cartagena Protocol on biosafety in Kenya. A cross-sectional survey was used with 216 participants sampled purposively and 16 key informants interviewed in a qualitative survey with triangulation of data from a scoping literature review. Fifty-seven percent of the respondents indicated GMOs and genetically modified (GM) foods are a solution to food security in Africa. A majority believe that the introduction of GMO technology and the use of GM food is beneficial (52.3%). Fifty-five percent of the respondents indicated that GM foods are safe. Most respondents (>90%) indicated that there is a low threat of GMO technology on the environment, human health, and animal health. The respondents (54.3%) agreed there is good adherence to the Cartagena Protocol. The correlation between awareness of the Cartagena Protocol on biosafety and views on whether there are adequate legal and regulatory frameworks was r = 0.4, indicating a weak but positive relationship between the two. Respondents who reported that the legal and regulatory frameworks were adequate were, therefore, likely (r = 0.4) to be aware of the Cartagena Protocol. There was a moderate positive correlation (r = 0.67) on views that GM food is a solution to food insecurity. Understandably, the relationship between GM food health concerns and GM food as safe was moderately negative (r = −0.4591). The findings are important in addressing gaps in the current GMO regulations and implementation aimed at increasing awareness of GMO technology as well as informing policy on biotechnology.

Sensitive detection of genetically modified maize based on a CRISPR/Cas12a system.

With the vigorous development of biotechnology, genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have become more and more common. In order to effectively supervise and administrate them, the rapid and accurate detection of GMOs is urgently demanded. Here, GMO gene-specific sensing methods based on colorimetry and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) were proposed based on the lateral branch cleavage function of the CRISPR/Cas12a system. Two transgenes, pCaMV35S and M810 Cry1Ab, were chosen as targets for transgenic crops. By using these methods, we performed transgenic detection on five types of maize leaves and successfully distinguished transgenic from non-transgenic samples. The colorimetric method is rapid, economical and available for field detection. The SERS approach, giving a higher sensitivity to 100 fM, is more suitable for laboratory application scenarios. This study explores practical transgenic detection approaches and will be valuable for the supervision of GMOs.