Release Of GMOs Research Articles

Disharmonization in the Regulation of Transgenic Plants in Europe

Disharmonization in the Regulation of Transgenic Plants in Europe

Eucalyptus transgenic plants: from genetic transformation protocols to biosafety analysis

Eucalyptus is an exotic plant in Brazil, being originally from Australia. There are about 700 Eucalyptus species described and over 3,000 hybrids. It is one of the most planted tree genus in the world. The great economic interest on Eucalyptus trees is due to their fast growth, high productivity, great adaptability to different types of soils and climates, and also to the high versatility of their wood. Eucalyptus timber has applications for many different purposes such as cellulose pulp and paper production, electric poles, energy, charcoal, lumber and furniture. Given the economic importance of Eucalyptus in Brazil, it is of great interest to generate trees with superior characteristics that may result in considerable gains for the sector, particularly with regard to productivity and wood quality. One main goal of the present work is the definition of an efficient protocol for the genetic transformation and regeneration of transgenic Eucalyptus trees. We have so far obtained callus derived from leaves of E.globulus showing high capacity of in vitro regeneration. These calli were transformed with Agrobacteriumtumefaciens LBA4404 harboring the binary plasmid pGfpKan, containing the green fluorescent protein (gfp) gene as reporter. Regenerated plants were transferred to culture pots with MS medium. Leaves derived from each regenerated plant were collected and analyzed using confocal microscopy to investigate the presence of fluorescence, indicating successful transformation. Molecular assays are also being performed to confirm the independence of transformation events via the pattern of transgene integration into plant genomes. The commercial release of GMOs and its derivatives in Brazil is regulated by the National Technical Biosafety Commission (CTNBio) in terms of the Regulatory Resolution No. 5, March 12, 2008. A series of experiments must be performed in order to prove the equivalence between GM and non-GM plants concerning the effects on human and animal health as well as on the environment. We are conducting the evaluation of global gene expression among different lines of transgenic and non-GM Eucalyptus adult plants, already available in test-fields belonging to FuturaGene in Brazil. Leaf and stem samples of GM and controls were collected and stored at -80 °C. Total RNA and proteins from leaves and stems were extracted and quantified. Messenger RNAs are under sequencing in Illumina platforms, according to the mRNA-Seq protocol (Fasteris S.A.) Our idea is to compare transcript profiles among GM and non-GM tree samples, checking for possible pleiotropic effects of the transgenes. Protein profiles of the same individuals will also be analyzed to verify if the presence of the transgene influences the expression of other proteins in Eucalyptus. In order to do so, total proteins were extracted from samples and fractionated by 1D SDS-PAGE, cut off from gels and processed for posterior Mass Spectrometry sequencing. Financial Support: MAPA/CNPq & FuturaGene.

Environmental and health risk assessments of genetically modified eucalypts in Brazil

Motivated by the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture, Farming and Supply (MAPA), we created in 2009 the “Collaborating Center in Agriculture Defense Relative to the Biosafety of Genetically Modified Eucalypts” (Project “CDA Eucalyptus”) in order to collect information and conduct research to assess the biosafety of GM eucalypts in the Brazilian context. The Normative Resolution Nr. 5 of the National Biosafety Technical Commission (CTNBio) is the official document presenting all information needed to propose the commercial release of GMOs in Brazil. Based on this document and along with the personnel of the Suzano Paper & Cellulose Co., we conducted a series of experiments with GM and non-GM eucalypts planted in a test field in the state of Sao Paulo to start collecting the necessary information. Two independent groups of transgenic plants, harboring two different transgene constructions along with non-GM control plants are being assayed. The genetic traits, the identity or names of the transgenes as well as the identity of each tree individual will not be revealed due to intellectual property request still pending. Each group of plants was represented by four independent events in triplicates (2 groups x 4 events x 3 clonal trees + 3 non-GM clonal trees), therefore totaling 27 individuals under analysis. Samples were identified by random numbers and all assays were conducted in a simple-blind or a double-blind fashion. Tests concluded until now included (i) the detection of transgene regulatory sequences in purified DNA samples by conventional PCR and RT-qPCR, confirming the expected sampling conducted; (ii) extraction, chemical characterization and analysis of the antifungal effects of essential (volatile) oils extracted from leaves; (iii) pollen germination in vitro; (iv) flower morphology; (v) seed production; (vi) initial seedling development; (vii) leaf allelopathy; (viii) measurements of total phenolic compounds in leaves and roots; and (ix) effects of leaf extracts on the viability of human colon cells. All results obtained from experiments (ii) to (ix) revealed no statistical differences between GM- and non-GM-derived samples. A second round of experiments will be conducted to confirm these results. Proteomic and transcriptomic profiling of GM and non-GM trees are under analysis, as well as a series of experiments that include the chemical, nutritional and biological analysis of honey samples derived from bee hives located in fields of GM versus non-GM plants; and bee (Apis mellifera) population dynamics.

GMO Detection Methodology

GMO detection is an essential part of the European regulatory framework concerning the environmental release of GMOs. While Directive 2001/18/EC is not strictly prescribing the detection methodology in case of an experimental release of GMOs in field trials, GMO authorisations for cultivation and placing on the market as food and feed according to Regulation (EC) No. 1829/2003 are rigidly coupled to particular requirements. For example, applicants have to deliver reference materials, methods for sampling, for matrix-specific DNA-extraction and for detection and event-specific quantification of the notified GMO. Method requirements and detailed implementation guidelines for the scientific assessment and validation of the reference materials and the method protocols are defined by Regulation (EC) No. 641/2004. The Community Reference Laboratory (CRL) located at the IHCP/JRC in Ispra has to handle the core tasks with respect to the assessment of the GMO detection method, e. g. intraand inter-laboratory validation according to specified method performance and acceptance criteria defined by the ENGL (European Network of GMO Laboratories). Furthermore, currently applied GMO methodologies are mainly based on the technical guidance and definitions given in Recommendation 2004/787/EC, e. g. use of DNA-based analytical strategies and the unit-of-measurement for GMO quantification (DNA copy number based). Although a certain degree of harmonisation between current detection methodologies and legal requirements has been achieved in the EU, the presentation wants to address some of the challenging issues, e. g. correct identification and quantification of stacked events, efficient methodologies for GMO screening and problems arising from the low level presence of unauthorised events.

Male mating strategy and the introgression of a growth hormone transgene.

Escaped transgenic organisms (GMO's) may threaten the populations of their wild relatives if able to hybridize with each other. The introgression of a growth enhancement transgene into a wild Atlantic salmon population may be affected by the transgene's effects not only on fitness parameters, but also on mating behaviour. Large anadromous GMO males are most preferred in mating, but a transgene can also give the large sneakers a reproductive advantage over the smaller wild individuals. With a simulation model, we studied whether the increase in the proportion and mating success of sneakers in transgenic and hybrid genotypes could facilitate the introgression of a transgene into wild population after the release of GMOs. The model combines population dynamics and Mendelian inheritance of a transgenic trait. We found that the introgression of the transgene is strongly affected by the greater mating preference of large GMO males. Furthermore, the difference in reproductive success between the anadromous versus sneaker strategy defines how much GMO's have to be preferred to be able to invade. These results emphasize the importance of detailed knowledge of reproductive systems and the effect of a transgene on the phenotype and behaviour of GMOs when assessing the consequences of their release or escape to the wild.

Regulating the Release of GMOs: Contrasts between the European Union and Norway

The European Union (EU) and Norway have assessed the release of genetically modified organisms as commercial products quite differently. Of twenty-four notifications approved by the EU, Norway has approved four, rejected ten, and has ten pending. We analyse whether these differences could be explained by different value judgments. Three aspects of the formulation and implementation of the regulations are discussed: the effects to be prevented and encouraged, response to uncertainty and ignorance, and the burden of proof necessary. Norwegian rejections are found to be explicable by the combination of no real benefit to society, lack of scientific knowledge, and involved risks. EU approvals are based upon seeing no reason to believe that there will be any adverse effects on health and the environment. We conclude that problems arise when value conflicts are understood and treated solely as technical issues, as normal in the EU.

Tourte Y. Genetically modified organisms: transgenesis in plants.

This is one of many recently published books describing the production and application of GMOs. It is pitched at ‘students and anyone concerned or curious about GMOs’ and, although a attempt has been made to keep the jargon to a minimum, detailed explanations of, for example ‘haplodiploidization to create homozygotes’ are unnecessary and set to trip the non‐specialist reader. The first part of the book gives a brief history of genetic engineering and summarizes the techniques used to integrate recombinant DNA into the plant genome. The latter part uses a dispassionate and generally positive tone to describe potential applications, and the concerns and questions raised by GMOs. The author draws specific examples from his own interests in modifying isoprene biosynthesis and describes other specialized potential applications such as making pharmaceuticals in plants, improving quality or nitrogen uptake, but fails to discuss the impact of the few GM traits currently grown in increasing area around the world. Specific points are well illustrated with examples, some of which hint at the author’s nationality and the fact that the book is a translation from its original 2001 title Les OGM in French. Particularly parochial is the section on regulatory and legal issues which describes, in too much detail, the independent workings of the commission du genie genetique and the commission du genie biomoleculaire in the release of GMOs in France. There is no colour except for the pink inset boxes used to exemplify or add detail throughout the chapters. The figures and photographs are generally helpful but it is a pity that the publishers chose to reproduce them at such a low image quality. It is an interesting little book that provides an insight into the underpinning science, the research applications and the concerns of genetic modification. If you want basic information covering the whole gamut of the GMO field under one cover, then this is a good start but it is less well presented and more parochial than others in the same genre (e.g. Halford, 200?)

GMOs: The new hotspot in ecological research

Gene flow is an important ecological and genetic process, and the fitness conferred by the insertion of a foreign gene could be important in ecology after it becomes introgressed into the wild genetic background of organisms, which is the determinative factor for the fate of GMOs or foreign genes in natural ecosystem and for the competition with native species. Trophic interrelation fulfilled by food chains is the most important correlation between species in ecosystem and could be affected by the modified genotypes after the introduction of GMOs. The technology enabling the precise manipulation of genotype is a great opportunity for the study of ecological genetics in an unknown way prior to the biotechnology era. Especially interesting is the impact of genes on ecosystem function when GMOs are released into environment. A variety of ecological terminology has been frequently used in assessment of ecological risks related to the release of GMOs in environment, e.g. gene flow, fitness, interspecific competition and food chain. The value of GMOs in ecological research is illustrated through several examples in biosafety assessment related to those terms here. It is proposed that ecologists should pay attention to the study of gene function in ecosystem and take the opportunity to enrich ecological theory with the release of GMOs.

Biosafety principles for GMOs in the context of sustainable development

SUMMARY If genetically modified organisms are to contribute to welfare they must be considered in the context of sustainable development. Biosafety implies considering the environmental, economic and social dimensions of sustainable development. These dimensions can be interpreted through the principles of precaution, polluter pays and public participation. In this article, these key biosafety principles are operationalised and ways of implementing them in society are discussed. A comparison is made between the principles and the present EU law for deliberate release of GMOs. It is concluded that several improvements in EU policy are necessary to ensure sustainable development really is promoted.

New Controls on the Deliberate Release of GMOs

This article describes changes under Directive 2001/18/EC on the deliberate release of genetically modified organisms into the environment; looks at the proposed new rules on genetically modified food and feed approvals and the traceability and labelling of genetically modified organisms; and examines liability issues.

Is opposition to GM crops science or politics? An investigation into the arguments that GM crops pose a particular threat to the environment.

Question 101: ‘Lord Melchett, in relation to genetic modification, what do you object to and why?’ Lord Melchett, Head of Greenpeace, UK: ‘My Lord Chairman, the fundamental objection is that there are unreliable and unpredictable risks.’ Question 105: ‘How far are you prepared to carry your objections to these developments?’ Lord Melchett: ‘I am happy to answer for Greenpeace […] Greenpeace opposes all releases to the environment of genetically modified organisms.’ Question 107: ‘Your opposition to the release of GMOs, that is an absolute and definite opposition? It is not one that is dependent on further scientific research or improved procedures being developed or any satisfaction you might get with regard to the safety or otherwise in future?’ Lord Melchett: ‘It is a permanent and definite and complete opposition based on a view that there will always be major uncertainties. It is the nature of the technology, indeed it is the nature of science, that there will not be any absolute proof. No scientist would sit before your Lordships and claim that if they were a scientist at all.’ House of Lords Select Committee on European Communities. 2nd Report: EC Regulation of Genetic Modification in Agriculture. During the last century, the world population tripled to 6 billion. While food production has increased accordingly, some 800 million people, primarily in the developing world, still do not have access to sufficient food. Forty thousand people die every day from malnutrition, over half being children under the age of 5. In addition to lack of food, deficiencies in micronutrients, such as vitamins and iron, leading to illness and death are widespread. The World Health Organization estimates that the earth's population will reach 9 billion by 2050. The vast majority of this increase will occur in the developing countries of South East Asia and …

Regulating agricultural biotechnology in Europe: harmonisation difficulties, opportunities, dilemmas

The EC Deliberate Release Directive 90/220 responded to a wide-ranging risk debate on the intentional release of GMOs. It was to integrate environmental precaution with market harmonisation. New networks have offered opportunities for influencing the expertise and concepts which would guide its implementation. In particular, ‘familiarity’ has been promoted as a euphemism for acknowledging and clarifying uncertainty about biotechnological risk. Copyright , Beech Tree Publishing.

Book Reviews

Books reviewed in this article:Rounsevell, M.D.A. and Loveland, P.J. (eds). Soil Responses to Climate Change. NATO ASI Series 1: Global Environmental Change Vol. 23.B.J. Alloway (ed.) Heavy Metals in Soils.Federal Office of Environment, Forests and Landscape (FOEFL). Regional Soil Contamination Surveying, A Technical Note B Case Study. Environmental Documentation No 25, Soil.Frankenberger, W.T. Jr & Arshad, M. Phytohormones in Soils: Microbial Production and Function.Boesten, B., Dowling, D.N. & O'Gara, F. (eds). Molecular Ecology of Rhizosphere Microorganisms. Biotechnology and the Release of GMOs.

Molecular Ecology of Rhizosphere Micro‐organisms. Biotechnology and the Release of GMOs: F. O'GARA, D. N. DOWLING, B. BOESTEN

Molecular Ecology of Rhizosphere Micro‐organisms. Biotechnology and the Release of GMOs: F. O'GARA, D. N. DOWLING, B. BOESTEN

Genetic modification and the environment: EC directives and the genesis of UK regulation

AbstractThe rapid advances in bio‐technology that have been witnessed in recent years have been matched by an increase in concern associated with both the moral dimensions and the possible environmental impacts of genetically modified organisms. Recognising both the potential threats and benefits, the EC has responded through the adoption of two directives controlling the use and release of GMOs. David Barling discusses the development of EC regulations and charts their application in the UK, finding that the common problem of equal enforcement may limit the potential of the EC in this field.

Highlights I. Genetically Modified Organisms II. Environmental Change, Health and Socioeconomic Development III. Ecosystems Approach to Municipal Management

I. The release of GMOs into the environment would improve food supplies and benefit pollution control but in view of the potential risks the public should be fully aquainted with all aspects of the problem. II. Describes a report produced by the WHO, which analyses the ways in which human needs and activities affect the environment. III. Summarizes an article describing a concept for an international network of municipalities which are dedicated to an ecosystems approach to municipal management.