Presence Of GMOs Research Articles

Monitoring of plant raw materials and feed for animal in 2020 for the presence of GM-ingredients

The creation and the use of genetically modified products has become a tendency in the development of agricultural and food technologies. The area of agricultural land under genetically modified plants is constantly growing. Todays the process of using GMOs and the expediency of their creation is a debatable issue. The modification of the genome of traditional agricultural cultures gives them resistance to pesticides, pests, diseases, which cause to the significant an increase of harvest and improved quality and taste characteristics. However, the effects of GMOs on the environment and the body of animals and humans have not been fully studied, and therefore the thoughts of scientists are differ on the benefits and risks of genetic engineering. Recently, the scientific literature has data on the negative effects of GMOs on animals and humans, in particular, on the morphofunctional state of organs and systems of the body, reproductive function, immune status, biochemical parameters of blood and urine. Every year the number of new genetically modified plant lines is growing, so today, the need in research of plant raw materials and feed for animal on the presence of GMOs is very important and actual. The article presents the results of research on the detection of GM ingredients in plant raw materials and in products of its processing, feed for productive and unproductive animals, etc. In 2020, 1215 samples were investigated by polymerase chain reaction with detection in real-time (PCR-RT), and it was found out that only 0.3 % from total amount were positive. From the studied samples, the most positive samples were found in samples of rapeseed, soybeans and feed for productive animals. In 27 samples of rapeseed, the number of positive samples was 7.4 %, in them were detected the target sequences of the terminator NOS (T-NOS) T plasmid Agrobacterium, and genes Pat and EPSPs. In 6 samples of soybean, the number of positive samples was 16.7 %, in them were detected the target sequences of the 35S promoter of cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) and the terminator NOS (T-NOS) T of the plasmid Agrobacterium. Also there was found GM ingredients in compound feeds for farm animals and poultry, in 6 samples the number of positive samples was 16.7 %, in them were detected the target sequences of the terminator NOS (T-NOS) T plasmid Agrobacterium. Conducted studies indicate that transgenic plants are in circulation in the agricultural market, so it is necessary to constantly control animal feed, plant materials and seeds for the presence of GM sources.

Monitoring of GMOs in soybeans, canola and fodder for farm animals in Ukraine in 2018–2020

The aim of the work was to monitor and analyze the results of research on the presence of GMOs in soybeans, canola and animal feed for the period 2018–2020. The research was conducted during 2018–2020 by the real-time polymerase chain reaction in the Research Department for Biochemical and Molecular Research of Food, Feed and Water of the State Scientific and Research Institute of Laboratory Diagnostics and Veterinary and Sanitary Expertise and in Regional State Laboratories of the State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumer Protection. Diagnostic kits (R-Biopharm) were used for screening, identification, quantification of soybeans and canola GM-lines. Reference material of GM-soybean, GM-canola (ERM, Belgium) was used as a positive control. In 2018, 3,494 samples of soybeans canola and feeds were studied, of which, in 505 (14.5%) samples GM-lines of soybeans and canola were found. In 2019, 4,235 samples were tested, 775 (18.2%) samples were positive. In 2020, 4,389 samples were studied, of which in 569 (12.8%) samples GM-soya and GM-canola were detected. During the period of 2018–2019 in positive samples of compound feed, soybeans, soya press cake and grist, GM-lines MON 40-3-2 and MON 89788 were identified in the amount of more than 10%, in samples of canola and canola press cake, GM-line GT-73 was found in the amount of more than 10%. In 2020, in soybean samples, in addition to the above-mentioned GM-lines, the GM-line MON 87708 was identified. Despite the ban on the use of GM-sources in Ukraine, the number of new GM-plant lines is increasing every year, which may be due to the lack of control over imported raw materials and grains, as well as their smuggling into Ukraine

DISTRIBUTION OF TRANSGENIC PLANTS IN UKRAINE – CURRENT STATE

Scientific achievement in molecular biology and genetic engineering have made it possible to create new methods of selection k that are based on genome modification. Todays, more and more genetically modified plants are being intensively tested in the field, but their influence has not yet been fully studied on the environment, biodiversity, human health, and the animal body.
 The article analyzes the results of research on the presence of GM ingredients in plant raw materials, processed products, feed for productive and unproductive animals, etc. for the period 2019-2020. Studies on the presence of GMOs were performed by the method of polymerase chain reaction in real-time (PCR-RT), according to DSTU ISO 21569: 2008 (ISO 21569: 2005, IDT), DSTU ISO 21571: 2008 (ISO 21571: 2005, IDT).
 In 2019, 1134 samples were tested and the most positive were found in rapeseed and soybeans. In the study of rapeseed (31 samples) the number of positive samples was 6.5 %, in them were the target sequences of the terminator NOS (T-NOS) TІ plasmid Agrobacterium tumefaciens and Pat gene. In the study of soybeans (15 samples), the number of positive samples was 6.7 %, in them were the target sequences of the 35S promoter of cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) and the terminator NOS (T-NOS) TІ plasmid Agrobacterium tumefaciens.
 In 2020, 1215 samples were tested and was found positive samples in samples of rapeseed, soybeans and feed for productive animals. In the study of rapeseed (27 samples) the number of positive samples was 7.4 %, in them were detected the target sequences of the terminator NOS (T-NOS) TІ plasmid Agrobacterium tumefaciens, and genes Pat and EPSPs. In the study of soybeans (6 samples), the number of positive samples was 16.7 %, in them were the target sequences of the 35S promoter of cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) and the terminator NOS (T-NOS) T of the plasmid Agrobacterium. In the study of feed for poultry (6 samples) the number of positive was 16.7 %, in them were the target sequences of the terminator NOS (T-NOS) TІ plasmid Agrobacterium tumefaciens.

Disharmonization in the Regulation of Transgenic Plants in Europe

Disharmonization in the Regulation of Transgenic Plants in Europe

PCR Primer Specific CaMV 35S Promoter to Detect Transgenic Soybean in Indonesia Commercial Soy Bean and Tempeh

In the framework of the supervision and enforcement of the regulation regarding the content of soybean transgenic in food and processed foods such as tempeh, a reliable testing method is indispensable. Performance specific primer PCR amplification with promoter of CaMV 35S tested to detect the presence of GMOs. The parameters tested were specificity, precision and cut off detection using CRM transgenic soybean. The method is reliable to detect transgenic soybean specifically and has the annealing temperature at 59 °C during the 30 cycle standard PCR condition. The method did not show any false positive and false negative results meaning good precision. The cut off the methods is up to 2 copies total DNA of soybean or less than 104 copies of the CaMV 35S promoter. Observation to the commercial soybeans and tempeh found that most of the commercially available soybean in Indonesia are transgenic (8 of 10 sample) while all tested tempeh sample were detected have been fermented from transgenic soybeans.

GMOs IN THE POLISH FRUIT AND VEGETABLES CONSUMER AWARENESS

The use of GMOs brings numerous benefi ts at the same time raising fears of threats to human health and the environment. The aim of this study is to present the way GMOs are perceived by fruit and vegetables consumers, their attitude to genetic manipulations and knowledge of the presence of GMOs on the Polish food market. A survey conducted among 200 people served to accomplish this aim. The research shows that the majority of the respondents see GM foods as hazardous to health and they refuse to buy transgenic fruit and vegetables. At the same time 80% of them do not have suffi cient knowledge about GMOs, their cultivation and presence on the market as GM food. This also refers to a group of people with a university degree. As many as 1/3 of the surveyed do not know whether GMOs are present on the Polish market, and only 9% indicated GMOs share of over 60% of the market, while nearly 70% of the respondents pointed to the presence of transgenic fruit and vegetables, listing a number of their species. This shows the need for widespread education and dissemination activities.

Integrated DNA walking system to characterize a broad spectrum of GMOs in food/feed matrices.

BackgroundIn order to provide a system fully integrated with qPCR screening, usually used in GMO routine analysis, as well as being able to detect, characterize and identify a broad spectrum of GMOs in food/feed matrices, two bidirectional DNA walking methods targeting p35S or tNOS, the most common transgenic elements found in GM crops, were developed. These newly developed DNA walking methods are completing the previously implemented DNA walking method targeting the t35S pCAMBIA element.MethodsFood/feed matrices containing transgenic crops (Bt rice or MON863 maize) were analysed using the integrated DNA walking system.ResultsFirst, the newly developed DNA walking methods, anchored on the sequences used for the p35S or tNOS qPCR screening, were tested on Bt rice that contains these two transgenic elements. Second, the methods were assessed on a maize sample containing a low amount of the GM MON863 event, representing a more complex matrix in terms of genome size and sensitivity. Finally, to illustrate its applicability in GMO routine analysis by enforcement laboratories, the entire workflow of the integrated strategy, including qPCR screening to detect the potential presence of GMOs and the subsequent DNA walking methods to characterize and identify the detected GMOs, was applied on a GeMMA Scheme Proficiency Test matrix. Via the characterization of the transgene flanking region between the transgenic cassette and the plant genome as well as of a part of the transgenic cassette, the presence of GMOs was properly confirmed or infirmed in all tested samples.ConclusionDue to their simple procedure and their short time-frame to get results, the developed DNA walking methods proposed here can be easily implemented in GMO routine analysis by the enforcement laboratories. In providing crucial information about the transgene flanking regions and/or the transgenic cassettes, this DNA walking strategy is a key molecular tool to prove the presence of GMOs in any given food/feed matrix.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12896-015-0191-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

English

Kenya has a biosafety law and has tested genetically modified (GM) maize under confinement and containment, but has neither released nor commercialized any GM crop. This study assessed various maize food products from the Kenyan farms and markets for the inadvertent presence of GMOs. It assessed the possibility of ‘gene-flow’ to the maize farms near the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI), Kiboko where Bt maize was grown in confined field trials (CFT) during 2005 to 2006. The multistage sampling technique was used, while the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and lateral-strip methods were used to analyze 120 food samples. Of these, 6.7% tested positive for cry1Ab, a globally commercialized gene, but were negative forcry1Ba, a non-commercialized gene. Neither cry1Ab nor cry1Ba genes were found in any of the maize certified seed samples. No ‘gene-flow’ was detected within the vicinity of the Kiboko CFT site. The maize imported into Kenya contained Bt genetic elements. Nevertheless, the confinement regulatory measures employed during the CFTs at Kiboko were effective. There is a need to enforce declaration of GM or non-GM and conduction of regulatory detection of food imports and for labelling of food products to enable consumers to make informed choices on what they buy and consume. Key words: cry1Ab, cry1Ba, biosafety, GMOs, Bt maize.

Estandarización de un protocolo para detección de OGMs: evaluación de la presencia de OGMs en granos de soya colectados en diferentes centros de acopio de Ecuador

La soya es un cultivo cuya producción nacional en el Ecuador no es suficiente para suplir la demanda interna. Por esta razón, se recurre a la importación de semilla de soya para siembra y soya en grano para consumo, desde países donde el uso de soya transgénica ha sido aprobado. Como consecuencia, existe la probabilidad del ingreso de este cultivo a territorio ecuatoriano. En esta investigación, se estandarizó una metodología para la detección y cuantificación de soya genéticamente modificada con tecnología SYBR Green. Los primers utilizados para la amplificación corresponden a secuencias específicas de los dos elementos recombinantes más representativos en soya genéticamente modificada, el promotor 35S del Virus del Mosaico de la Coliflor (P35S) y el terminador NOS del plásmido Ti de Agrobacterium tumefaciens (TNOS), generando amplicones de 200pb y de 69pb respectivamente. El análisis cuantitativo se realizó a partir de la generación de una curva estándar en base a la amplificación usando los primers mencionados en material de referencia certificado con concentraciones de 0.01%, 0.1%, 1% y 10% de soya transgénica del evento GTS 40-3-2. El límite de detección se estableció en 0.01%, mientras que el límite de cuantificación fue establecido en 0.1%. En 2 de las 26 muestras de soya analizadas se encontró más del 0.1% de OGM (organismo genéticamente modificado) (muestra 22 con 0.2% y la muestra 23 con 14%). Además se detectó presencia adventicia de soya transgénica en 8 de las muestras estudiadas. Debido a las regulaciones de OGMs que existen en el Ecuador, este tipo de análisis es importante para confirmar la presencia de OGMs en el territorio ecuatoriano y evidencia la necesidad de contar con personal capacitado e instituciones especializadas en la detección y análisis de organismos genéticamente modificados.

Adventitious presence of GMOs in maize in the view of coexistence

The introduction of genetically modified (GM) crops in the European Union (EU) demand specific management. The EU recommendations for the management of different agricultural practices are oriented towards the sustainable agriculture in the frame of flexible coexistence. Coexistence may be affected by the adventitious presence of genetically modified organisms (APGM) in non-GM crops along the supply chain. Various biological and environmental parameters as well as technical management have influence on the occurrence and the degree of APGM. These parameters are being used for the development of preventive coexistence measures in individual EU countries. Applicability of the prescribed coexistence measures is critically reviewed, also in the view of possible introduction of GM maize cultivation in Slovenia. From the review, it is concluded that some coexistence measures are not in line with coexistence principles because they demand excessive work and are sometimes difficult to implement in practice. Alternative cooperation of different cropping systems are discussed for potential future implementation. The review is focused on maize, the predominant GM crop cultivated in the EU and an interesting crop for cultivation in Slovenia.

Development and validation of real-time PCR screening methods for detection of cry1A.105 and cry2Ab2 genes in genetically modified organisms

Primers and probes were developed for the element-specific detection of cry1A.105 and cry2Ab2 genes, based on their DNA sequence as present in GM maize MON89034. Cry genes are present in many genetically modified (GM) plants and they are important targets for developing GMO element-specific detection methods. Element-specific methods can be of use to screen for the presence of GMOs in food and feed supply chains. Moreover, a combination of GMO elements may indicate the potential presence of unapproved GMOs (UGMs). Primer-probe combinations were evaluated in terms of specificity, efficiency and limit of detection. Except for specificity, the complete experiment was performed in 9 PCR runs, on 9 different days and by testing 8 DNA concentrations. The results showed a high specificity and efficiency for cry1A.105 and cry2Ab2 detection. The limit of detection was between 0.05 and 0.01 ng DNA per PCR reaction for both assays. These data confirm the applicability of these new primer-probe combinations for element detection that can contribute to the screening for GM and UGM crops in food and feed samples.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00216-011-4875-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Qualitŕ e sicurezza alimentare: ratio legis o paradosso per i prodotti biologici?

Reforming legislation on organic food production, eu shows sensitive to consumers expectations about organic food: tracking and control, methods that respect rhythm of nature and improve maintenance of biodiversity. As a consequence it institutionalizes general objectives on the ec Regulation 834/2007: it establishes a sustainable management system for agriculture that aims at producing products and food of high quality that does not harm environment, human health, plant health or animal health. Generally speaking, looking at food quality and safety, can it be said that eu policy increasingly assigns to organic food such aims of quality and safety of production? With the aim to contribute to the debate on the concept of quality, which in the context of Common legislation lacks legal precision and it is often confused with food safety and hygiene baseline standards, the study highlights the inconsistency of the rules on organic farming. In fact, even if the regulation is strongly inspired by food quality and safety, it admits, like conventional food and feed, adventitious presence of gmos in organic product, its ingredients or feed materials, and so it may reduce ethics contents. Present analysis shows that in the eu strategy for food does not seem to be strictly coherent between horizontal (which takes into account, inter alia, the protection of human health and the environment, and sectoral legislation on gmos) and special legislation orphan of uniform and binding rules on the coexistence between conventional, organic and gm crops, despite the new, more flexible approach of the European Commission. The study focuses on eu recent guidelines that provide for measures to restrict space in organic products gm content to levels below the current thresholds. However, given that specificity of organic products does not affect only farmers’ income but, as the Green Paper on agricultural product quality, also consumers expectations, only a revision of the regulation may offer unique solutions for all the Member States.

Coexistence of Genetically Modified Crops with Conventional and Organic Agriculture in the European Union

Abstract The objective of the research is to analyse the way the European Union is addressing the issue of the coexistence between traditional, organic, and GM crops. In the European Union no form of agriculture, whether conventional, organic, GM, should be excluded. Farmers are free to choose the production type they prefer, without being forced to change patterns already established in the area, and without spending more resources. Today EU rules on genetically modified crops are very rigid; in particular, before starting a GM crops commercial cultivation, it is compulsory to obtain a specific European Commission authorisation (based on a safety risk assessment carried out by the European Food Safety Authority), and GM food and feed (threshold 0,9%) must be labeled (to inform consumers) and traced. Coexistence is the weak point of the European legislation in the field. The European Commission defines the term coexistence as the farmers’ ability to make a practical choice between conventional, organic and GM-crop production, in compliance with the legal obligations for labeling and/or purity standards. In simple terms, coexistence is a way of allowing farmers to choose between the three agricultural systems. Farmers’ choice to grow GM or non-GM crops depends not only on technical aspects related to the productivity gains and agronomic benefits to be gained from adopting this technology, but also on consumers’ preferences. Particularly in Europe, consumers continue to be concerned about the potentially adverse implications of widespread GM crop production for the environment and food safety. According to Directive 2001/18/EC (Article 26 bis), Member States may organise measures to avoid the unadventitious presence of GMOs in other non-GM products. In order to help the Member States to organise national coexistence measures, the European Commission adopted the Recommendation 2003/556/EC on the guidelines for the development of national strategies and best practices to ensure the coexistence of genetically modified crops with conventional and organic farming. The act establishes that the approaches to coexistence need to be developed in a transparent way, based on technical guidelines and in co-operation with all stakeholders concerned. The guidelines are based on experiences with existing segregation practices and, at the same time, they ensure an equitable balance between the interests of farmers of all production types. Further, they state that management measures to ensure coexistence should be efficient and cost-effective, without going beyond what is necessary to comply with EU threshold levels for GMO labeling. Today it is accepted that total isolation of GM material, certainly once agricultural biotechnology is widespread in the EU, is impossible; coexistence focuses on the practices used to decrease the adventitious GM presence. The implementation of coexistence measures is a complex process owing to the diversity in field, farming and natural conditions extending over Europe. On 13 July 2010, the European Commission adopted a new coexistence package that consists of a coexistence Communication, a new Recommendation on co-existence of GM crops with conventional and/or organic crops, and a draft Regulation proposing a change to the GMO legislation. The new approach aims to achieve the right balance between maintaining an EU authorisation system and the freedom for Member States to decide on GMO cultivation in their territory. The new flexible European scenario will give to the Member States the possibility to decide whether to cultivate biotech crops, maintaining at the same time an EU wide science-based authorization system.

Adventitious presence of GMOs in maize in the view of coexistence

The introduction of genetically modified (GM) crops in the European Union (EU) demand specific management. The EU recommendations for the management of different agricultural practices are oriented towards the sustainable agriculture in the frame of flexible coexistence. Coexistence may be affected by the adventitious presence of genetically modified organisms (APGM) in non-GM crops along the supply chain. Various biological and environmental parameters as well as technical management have influence on the occurrence and the degree of APGM. These parameters are being used for the development of preventive coexistence measures in individual EU countries. Applicability of the prescribed coexistence measures is critically reviewed, also in the view of possible

Application of Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA), Cause and Effect Analysis, and Pareto Diagram in Conjunction with HACCP to a Corn Curl Manufacturing Plant

The Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA) model has been applied for the risk assessment of corn curl manufacturing. A tentative approach of FMEA application to the snacks industry was attempted in an effort to exclude the presence of GMOs in the final product. This is of crucial importance both from the ethics and the legislation (Regulations EC 1829/2003; EC 1830/2003; Directive EC 18/2001) point of view. The Preliminary Hazard Analysis and the Fault Tree Analysis were used to analyze and predict the occurring failure modes in a food chain system (corn curls processing plant), based on the functions, characteristics, and/or interactions of the ingredients or the processes, upon which the system depends. Critical Control points have been identified and implemented in the cause and effect diagram (also known as Ishikawa, tree diagram, and the fishbone diagram). Finally, Pareto diagrams were employed towards the optimization of GMOs detection potential of FMEA.

Adventitious presence of GMOs: Scientific overview for Canadian grains

The global expansion in the development and cultivation of genetically modified (GM) crops has increased international concern about adventitious presence of GM materials in non-GM seeds and grains. GM events in canola, corn, soybean, cotton, flax, papaya, potato, squash, sugar beet, and tomato have received regulatory approval in Canada. However, GM cultivars are only in commercial production for canola, corn and soybean. More than 30 GM events have been approved in these three crops. Cases of unapproved adventitious presence of GM materials that have impacted grain trading and handling in Canada and other countries include StarLink™ corn, GT200 canola, GM canola in mustard and recently Bt10 corn. Some countries have established tolerance and traceability requirements for adventitious presence of GMOs, while others are in the process of developing or adopting legislation. The threshold for labeling of adventitious presence of approved GM material in non-GM grain varies from 0.9% (e.g., EU) to 5% (e.g., Japan). Progress has been made in the development of DNA- and protein-based GMO detection methods. However, only a limited number of these detection methods have been internationally validated. The challenges for detection methods include sampling, a lack of certified reference material, a lack of DNA sequence information for the design of event-specific primers, and the sheer number of individual events that may be present and tested for. Current efforts by ISO and CEN will be valuable for establishing harmonized and standardized GMO detection methods. Key words: List of GM events, cases of AP, tolerance, traceability, detection methods, challenges

The Coexistence of Genetically Modified Crops with Other Forms of Farming: The Regulation by EU Member States in the Light of EC Law

ContentsIntroduction The regulatory approach of EC LawOperator obligations of evaluation and monitoringPreventionLiability for the adventitious presence of GMOs in neighbouring cropsEffects of authorized releases of GMOs on neighbouring cropsSupervision under rules of environmental lawSummary

Sampling of raw materials and processed foods for the presence of GMOs

The extent to which sampling of raw materials and foods, for detection of the presence of GMOs, presents a significant problem depends on the type of material to be sampled, the purpose of the analysis and the degree of risk that is acceptable in obtaining a wrong result. Sampling for indications of non-segregation or co-mingling of raw materials is the main area for which sample plans will for the future need to be developed. Fortunately, there is considerable experience in sampling of commodities in analogous areas such as for the presence of mycotoxins in cereals and nuts where well-tested sampling plans could be utilised.