Use Of Agricultural Biotechnology Research Articles

Legal basis for the use of biotechnology in agriculture to ensure food security of Ukraine

The article is devoted to the study of the current state of legal support for food security in Ukraine, analysis of legislative innovations in the field of biotechnology as a way to improve food security and development of recommendations for improving the legal regulation of these relations. The analysis of the regulatory acts governing relations in the field of food security allowed the authors to draw conclusions about the formation of updated legislation during the period of martial law in Ukraine. The main features of legal provision of the relevant relations are as follows: the absence of a single comprehensive regulatory act which would consolidate the principles of ensuring food security of Ukraine; fragmentation of measures to ensure food security (concentration on the regulation of land relations, implementation of individual measures to support agricultural producers). The authors propose to develop the conceptual framework for food security of Ukraine with its objectification at the level of a separate law, to take into account food security measures in the formation of Ukraine’s recovery plans and to establish international cooperation. The authors characterize the updated legislation providing for genetic engineering activities and state control over the placement of genetically modified organisms and products on the market. Positive innovations are highlighted. It is established that the problem of dispersion of functions of management and control over compliance with genetically modified organisms (“GMO”) legislation among numerous entities remains unresolved.

The state of the ‘GMO’ debate - toward an increasingly favorable and less polarized media conversation on ag-biotech?

ABSTRACT Although nearly three decades have passed since genetically modified crops (so-called ‘GMOs’) were widely commercialized, vociferous debate remains about the use of biotechnology in agriculture, despite a worldwide scientific consensus on their safety and utility. This study analyzes the volume and tenor of the GMO conversation as it played out on social and traditional media between 2018 and 2020, looking at 103,084 online and print articles published in English-language media around the world as well as 1,716,071 social media posts. To our knowledge, our analysis is the first comprehensive survey of the shifting traditional and online media discourse on this issue during this time period. While the volume of traditional media coverage of GMOs increased significantly during the period, this was combined with a dramatic drop in the volume of social media posts of over 80%. Traditional media tended to be somewhat more positive in their coverage than social media in 2018 and 2019, but that gap disappeared in 2020. Both traditional and social media saw trends toward increasing favorability, with the positive trend especially robust in social media. The large decline in volume of social media posts, combined with a strong trend toward greater favorability, may indicate a drop in the salience of the GMO debate among the wider population even while the volume of coverage in traditional media increased. Overall, our results suggest that both social and traditional media may be moving toward a more favorable and less polarized conversation on ag-biotech overall.

Promoting Ethically Responsible Use of Agricultural Biotechnology.

Growing global demands for food, bioenergy, and specialty products, along with the threat posed by various environmental changes, present substantial challenges for agricultural production. Agricultural biotechnology offers a promising avenue for meeting these challenges; however, ethical and sociocultural concerns must first be addressed, to ensure widespread public trust and uptake. To be effective, we need to develop solutions that are ethically responsible, socially responsive, relevant to people of different cultural and social backgrounds, and conveyed to the public in a convincing and straightforward manner. Here, we highlight how ethical approaches, principled decision-making strategies, citizen-stakeholder participation, effective science communication, and bioethics education should be used to guide responsible use of agricultural biotechnology.

Gene Expression of the Antimicrobial Peptide Bombinin Increases the Resistance of Transgenic Tobacco Plants to Phytopathogens

Transgenic tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) plants with an artificial gene from the antimicrobial peptide bombinin (bom) have been obtained and studied. The presence of the bom gene in the genome of kanamycin-resistant plants was shown by PCR. Expression of the bom gene was confirmed by antimicrobial activity measurements in leaf extracts. The obtained plants were morphogenetically resistant to Erwinia carotovora bacteria and Rhizoctonia solani fungi phytopathogens. In addition, the protective oxidative reaction to the infection, i.e., the SOD activity and proline content, were lower in transgenic plants than in the infected nontransgenic plants. Plants with the expression of the antimicrobial bombinin peptide gene are promising for use in agricultural biotechnology as plant protectors.

Can Biofortified Crops Help Attain Food Security?

Malnutrition, or “hidden hunger,” continues to linger throughout the developing world. This is partially the result of a lack of access to a diversified diet. A burgeoning human population and the advent of climate change have resulted in the forecast of increases in food insecurity for at risk populations. The following report describes the use of agricultural biotechnology to generate crops which are biofortified with vitamins and minerals. Crops designed through biotechnology that possess additional health benefits such as preventing the onset of non-communicable diseases including hypertension and cancer are also presented. Examples of several biofortified and nutritionally enhanced crops are provided. The report ends with a discussion of the state of these technologies in the world today and their prospects for improving global food security.

Crop biotechnology: a pivotal moment for global acceptance

AbstractThe development and judicious use of agricultural biotechnology offers important contributions to food security and sustainability. Key contributions include improved yield, heightened pathogen and herbivore resistance, enhanced nutrient content, improved product quality, reduced spoilage, as well as entirely new traits. While a first wave of genetically engineered (GE) crop products has been commercialized and contributed to yield, other products – some posing significant benefits to target populations in the developing world – have become mired in controversy. Public misconception about nutritional and ecological risks, fears about multinational corporate dominance, as well as regulatory inaction have delayed the approval and use of GE crops. With new GE lines ready to pass through regulatory oversight, many of which originate from developing countries, we regard this as a pivotal moment for global acceptance of agricultural biotechnology. However, we note that some countries, international regulators, and even biotechnology companies seem willing to forego useful applications of GE crops. We conclude that educating and informing the public to combat misperception, and implementing review of regulatory guidelines based on decades of experience can help to realize the benefits of GE for food security, human well‐being, and ecological sustainability.

Modern Biotechnology, Agriculture, and Ethics

Will crops developed using biotechnology save the world or trigger doomsday? From a quick glance at the debate on biotechnology and agriculture, one might get the impression that there are few possibilities in between—the debate has been characterized by a high degree of polarization (Van Haperen et al. 2012; cf. Gregorowius et al. 2012). Those who believe in the potential of agricultural biotechnology usually refer to benefits in terms of increased yield, reduced environmental impact (Brookes and Barfoot 2008; Carpenter 2010; Mannion and Morse 2012), improved farmer health (Kouser and Qaim 2011) and higher economic impacts for adopting farmers in developing countries (Finger et al. 2011). Critics of agricultural biotechnology question these benefits and raise concerns about potential risks, but they also tend to emphasize issues of social justice, for example because of dysfunctional institutions or regulatory regimes (Hoyer Toft 2012), and other ethical considerations (Comstock 2000; Sandler 2004). In many parts of the world there has been vocal opposition to the use of biotechnology in agriculture in general, and in particular to the use of genetically modified (GM)

Climate Change: Effects on the Use of Biotechnology in Agriculture

Climate Change: Effects on the Use of Biotechnology in Agriculture

Paenibacillus yonginensis DCY84T induces changes in Arabidopsis thaliana gene expression against aluminum, drought, and salt stress

Current agricultural production methods, for example the improper use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, create many health and environmental problems. Use of plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) for agricultural benefits is increasing worldwide and also appears to be a trend for the future. There is possibility to develop microbial inoculants for use in agricultural biotechnology, based on these beneficial plant–microbe interactions. For this study, ten bacterial strains were isolated from Yongin forest soil for which in vitro plant-growth promoting trait screenings, such as indole acetic acid (IAA) production, a phosphate solubilization test, and a siderophore production test were used to select two PGPB candidates. Arabidopsis thaliana plants were inoculated with Paenibacillus yonginensis DCY84T and Micrococcus yunnanensis PGPB7. Salt stress, drought stress and heavy metal (aluminum) stress challenges indicated that P. yonginensis DCY84T-inoculated plants were more resistant than control plants. AtRSA1, AtVQ9 and AtWRKY8 were used as the salinity responsive genes. The AtERD15, AtRAB18, and AtLT178 were selected to check A. thaliana responses to drought stress. Aluminum stress response was checked using AtAIP, AtALS3 and AtALMT1. The qRT-PCR results indicated that P. yonginensis DCY84T can promote plant tolerance against salt, drought, and aluminum stress. P. yonginensis DCY84T also showed positive results during in vitro compatibility testing and virulence assay against X. oryzae pv. oryzae Philippine race 6 (PXO99). Better germination rates and growth parameters were also recorded for the P. yonginensis DCY84T Chuchung cultivar rice seed which was grown on coastal soil collected from Suncheon. Based on these results, P. yonginensis DCY84T can be used as a promising PGPB isolate for crop improvement.

The use of agricultural biotechnology to enhance tolerance of Micro-Tom tomato to salinity and drought

The use of agricultural biotechnology to enhance tolerance of Micro-Tom tomato to salinity and drought

Introduction to ISBGMO12: biosafety research past, present and future.

The International Symposium on Biosafety of Geneti-cally Modified Organisms (ISBGMO) is a biennialinternational meeting organised by the InternationalSocietyforBiosafetyResearch(ISBR;www.isbr.info/).ISBR promotes research and application of science inthe fields of agricultural and environmental biotech-nologyandriskanalysis.Inparticular,ISBRencouragesresearch that supports the safe and effective use ofbiotechnology in agriculture, food production, andpublic health, and assists the development of the rele-vant policy and regulation.ThefirstISBGMOwasheldinKiawahIsland,NorthCarolina, USA in November 1990. Since then, manycountries have hosted the meeting: Germany (twice),USA (California), Japan, Canada, China, France,South Korea, New Zealand and Argentina. The 12thISBGMO was held in St Louis, Missouri, USA fromthe 16th to the 20th of September 2012, and wasattended by about 500 delegates from 47 countries.This special section of Transgenic Research fea-tures thirteen papers developed from lectures andworkshops at the meeting. Taken together, the papersindicate that, for first generation genetically modified(GM) crops at least, biosafety research is increasinglyaddressing questions about the sustainable deploy-ment of the crops in agricultural systems, and isfocussing less on the basic characteristics of GM cropsas a class. Making regulatory risk assessment efficientand effective, and realising the economic, environ-mental and social opportunities presented by com-mercialised GM crops, now seems more importantthan, say, further basic research on unintended effectsof transformation or gene flow from GM crops to wildspecies. This is a hugely significant development.While ISBR and ISBGMOs focus on science, therole of policy in framing research questions andensuring effective application of new knowledge isincreasinglyrecognised.Inhiskeynoteaddress, Raven(2013) placed GM crops in the context of fulfillingagricultural policy. If our policy is to increase foodproduction to meet increasing need, then GM cropsought not to be singled out for ‘‘burdensome’’ regula-tory treatment: ‘‘it is no longer acceptable to delay theuse of any strategy that is safe and will help us achievethe ability to feed the world’s people.’’A source of onerous regulatory treatment wasconcern that that GM crops might ‘‘escape’’. At thetime of the first ISBGMO in 1990, scientists werethinking about the ecological consequences of trans-genes not being contained by agricultural management.

What we know about arbuscular mycorhizal fungi and associated soil bacteria

Mycorrhizal fungi are common soil microorganisms and are well known for their symbiotic association with the roots of host plants. The soil is a complex environment harbouring a wide diversity of microorganisms. The interaction between soil bacteria and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi has been shown in several studies to be both beneficial in terms of mycorrhizal establishment and as well as plant growth promotion. This has resulted in groups of bacteria being functionally termed Mycorrhizal Helper Bacteria, Phosphate Solubilising Bacteria and Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria. Several of these groups overlap and in such a complex environment, it is likely that the combinations of microorganisms interacting with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi enhance the benefits that are attributed to the relationship. Many different microorganisms inhabit the soil. This review will focus on the bacterial interactions and their potential use in agricultural biotechnology. Key words: Mycorrhizal fungi, bacteria, soil, microorganisms, growth.

Climate change and food security: The role of biotechnology

Several climate change related factors including temperature increases, changes in rainfall patterns and outbreak of pests and diseases negatively affect agricultural productivity and food security . Climate change effects significantly in crease production risk and rural vulnerability, particularly in regions that already suffer from chronic soil and water resource scarcity or high exposure to climatic extremes, such as droughts and flooding. The effects of climate change on agriculture may depend not only on changing climate conditions, but also on the agricultural sector’s ability to adapt through changes in technology and demand for food. Significant proportions of the growing populations in developing countries derive their livelihoods f rom agriculture and are, therefore, vulnerable to climate change effects . The task of eradicating extreme poverty and hunger by 2015, as per Millennium Development Goals , will require both regional and global research efforts and concrete actions among which biotechnology adoption plays a key role. Advances in biotechnology can lead to cutting -edge technologies in agriculture. However, sub -Saharan Africa faces an uphill task with regard to the adoption and use of agricultural biotechnology. The potential to improve the livelihoods of resource -poor farmers is a strong incentive to meet the challenge. This paper reviews research work on climate change in relation to increasing food insecurity situation in sub -Saharan Africa (SSA) , and the significance of plant biotechnology in reversing the disturbing food insecurity trends on the continent . To move plant biotechnology forward, the paper recommends that African countries institutionalize effective bio -safety regulatory frameworks, and commit resources to capacity building and provision of infrastructure for biotechnology development . Funding of Genetically Modified Organism ( GM O) related research into tropical and sub- tropical staple foods , suitable for the needs of small- scale farmers in SSA countries , is strongly recommended. There is also the need for researchers to engage in effective education and communication with the general public so as to enhance adoption of biotechnological products in Africa .

Plant–microbe interactions promoting plant growth and health: perspectives for controlled use of microorganisms in agriculture

Plant-associated microorganisms fulfill important functions for plant growth and health. Direct plant growth promotion by microbes is based on improved nutrient acquisition and hormonal stimulation. Diverse mechanisms are involved in the suppression of plant pathogens, which is often indirectly connected with plant growth. Whereas members of the bacterial genera Azospirillum and Rhizobium are well-studied examples for plant growth promotion, Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Serratia, Stenotrophomonas, and Streptomyces and the fungal genera Ampelomyces, Coniothyrium, and Trichoderma are model organisms to demonstrate influence on plant health. Based on these beneficial plant-microbe interactions, it is possible to develop microbial inoculants for use in agricultural biotechnology. Dependent on their mode of action and effects, these products can be used as biofertilizers, plant strengtheners, phytostimulators, and biopesticides. There is a strong growing market for microbial inoculants worldwide with an annual growth rate of approximately 10%. The use of genomic technologies leads to products with more predictable and consistent effects. The future success of the biological control industry will benefit from interdisciplinary research, e.g., on mass production, formulation, interactions, and signaling with the environment, as well as on innovative business management, product marketing, and education. Altogether, the use of microorganisms and the exploitation of beneficial plant-microbe interactions offer promising and environmentally friendly strategies for conventional and organic agriculture worldwide.

Africa's Regulatory Approach to Biotechnology in Agriculture: An Opportunity to Seize Socio-Economic Concerns

The use of modern biotechnology (in this context genetically modified organisms – GMOs in agricultural crops) presents a number of challenges, including that of regulating biosafety, international trade and intellectual property rights over GMOs. Biosafety is concerned with the risks that GMOs may pose to the environment and human health. Issues around international law and intellectual property rights arise from efforts to eliminate trade barriers and to allow patent protection over plant genetic resources for commercial gain. Regulators setting out to address these issues must, importantly, not lose sight of the socio-economic concerns generated by the use, and regulation, of GMOs in agriculture. Africa’s (regulatory) approach to biotechnology in agriculture has been mixed: few countries (such as South Africa, and possibly Egypt) have adopted, what might be called, a permissive regulatory approach, giving the ‘green’ light to agricultural biotechnology, with minimum regulatory intervention. Most African countries have opted rather for cautious (with stringent regulatory measures in place) or even restrictive regulatory approaches where a total ban is placed on the import and use of biotechnology in agriculture, although such an approach may breach a country’s international trade obligations.

Will California Restrict Cloned Animals as Food?; Judge Orders Review of Herbicide-Tolerant Grass Test; British High Court Rejects View That Food Standards Agency Did Not Do Enough Against Liberty Rice; UN Wants Nanotechnology Controls; Syngenta Land in Brazil to Be Expropriated; African Leaders Propose Common Approach to Encourage Use of Biotechnology in Agriculture; U.S. Farm Subsidies Complained of at WTO

Biotechnology Law ReportVol. 26, No. 2 Regulatory Affairs—Agricultural and EnvironmentalWill California Restrict Cloned Animals as Food?; Judge Orders Review of Herbicide-Tolerant Grass Test; British High Court Rejects View That Food Standards Agency Did Not Do Enough Against Liberty Rice; UN Wants Nanotechnology Controls; Syngenta Land in Brazil to Be Expropriated; African Leaders Propose Common Approach to Encourage Use of Biotechnology in Agriculture; U.S. Farm Subsidies Complained of at WTOPublished Online:30 Apr 2007https://doi.org/10.1089/blr.2007.9967AboutSectionsPDF/EPUB Permissions & CitationsPermissionsDownload CitationsTrack CitationsAdd to favorites Back To Publication ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditEmail "Will California Restrict Cloned Animals as Food?; Judge Orders Review of Herbicide-Tolerant Grass Test; British High Court Rejects View That Food Standards Agency Did Not Do Enough Against Liberty Rice; UN Wants Nanotechnology Controls; Syngenta Land in Brazil to Be Expropriated; African Leaders Propose Common Approach to Encourage Use of Biotechnology in Agriculture; U.S. Farm Subsidies Complained of at WTO." , 26(2), pp. 125–126FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 26Issue 2Apr 2007 InformationMary Ann Liebert, Inc.To cite this article:Will California Restrict Cloned Animals as Food?; Judge Orders Review of Herbicide-Tolerant Grass Test; British High Court Rejects View That Food Standards Agency Did Not Do Enough Against Liberty Rice; UN Wants Nanotechnology Controls; Syngenta Land in Brazil to Be Expropriated; African Leaders Propose Common Approach to Encourage Use of Biotechnology in Agriculture; U.S. Farm Subsidies Complained of at WTO.Biotechnology Law Report.Apr 2007.125-126.http://doi.org/10.1089/blr.2007.9967Published in Volume: 26 Issue 2: April 30, 2007PDF download

Making use of biotechnology applications in Turkish agriculture: Why is it not yet happening?

One of the primary challenges for developing countries is to create new opportunities for sustainable economic development through the use of new technologies such as biotechnology. In this context, the use of agricultural biotechnology to produce cheap biofuel made from agricultural crops as well as agricultural waste (cellulose) might have a great potential to promote rural development in Turkey. Yet, in order to make it happen it needs a clear commitment of the Turkish government. This paper evaluates the effectiveness of Turkish Science and Technology Policy in making better use of biotechnology to address the country's economic, environmental and social challenges. The insufficient use knowledge to promote endogenous economic development is related to inadequate regulation of science and technology in Turkey and the lack of political leadership in the effective implemenation of national initiatives to promote technological innovation.

Chinese public understanding of the use of agricultural biotechnology—A case study from Zhejiang Province of China

This study explores the Chinese public's perceptions of, and attitudes to, agriculture and food applications of biotechnology; and investigates the effect of socio-demographic factors on attitudes. A questionnaire survey and interviews were used in an attempt to combine quantitative analysis with qualitative review. The main finding of this study is that the Chinese population has a superficial, optimistic attitude to agricultural biotechnology; and that, in accordance with public attitudes, a cautious policy, with obligatory labelling, should be adopted. The study reveals that education is the factor among socio-demographic variables with the strongest impact on public attitudes. Higher education leads to a more positive evaluation of GM (genetically modified) foods and applications of biotechnology with respect to usefulness, moral acceptability, and suitability for encouragement. In addition, public attitudinal differences depend significantly on area of residence. Compared with their more urban compatriots, members of the public in less developed areas of China have more optimistic attitudes, perceive more benefits, and are more risk tolerant in relation to GM foods and agricultural biotechnology. Finally we obtained a very high rate of "don't know" answers to our survey questions. This suggests that many people do not have settled attitudes, and correspondingly, that the overall public attitude to agricultural biotechnology and GM foods in China is at present somewhat unstable.

A long-term study of knowledge, risk, and ethics for students enrolled in an introductory biotechnology course.

Since 1989, an undergraduate course addressing issues concerning biotechnology in agriculture has been taught annually. To determine the extent to which students were engaged in classroom instruction and assimilated knowledge from the course, students were asked to complete an "Attitudes About Biotechnology" questionnaire. Students were queried about their knowledge of biotechnology, perceptions of risks associated with biotechnology, and ethics and attitudes toward the use of biotechnology in agriculture. Responses to the survey questions were evaluated both pre-and postcourse. Data were collected from 13 classes over a 10-yr period. Inspection of the precourse grade point average and the course grades for these students revealed no trends up or down over the period of this study. Similarly, inspection of the data revealed no effect from problem-based learning, student-facilitated group work, or technology on student attainment of knowledge, perception of risk, or ethical views. For each of the five knowledge questions, the average score increased as a result of taking the course. On two of the knowledge questions, the average score increase for females from pre- to postcourse was greater than for males. Based on our measurements using the postcourse questionnaire, the correlation between perceived and actual knowledge was not significantly different from zero. In two of the four risk questions, there was no change in average score as a result of the course; however, student perception of risk associated with genetic engineering of plants increased. Although average scores for student perception of risk due to the perceived impact of genetically engineered products on people or the environment decreased from pre- to postcourse assessment, the average score was higher (P < 0.01) for females than for males. Males were more accepting of genetic manipulation of cells in a laboratory than were females both pre- and postcourse. Although student knowledge of biotechnology was increased and the perceived risk due to biotechnology was altered, there was no evidence that students altered their ethical position on biotechnology as a result of this course.

A suite of novel promoters and terminators for plant biotechnology.

The gene regulation signals from subterranean clover stunt virus (SCSV) were investigated for their expression in dicot plants. The SCSV genome has at least eight circular DNA molecules. Each circular DNA component contains a promoter element, a single open reading frame and a terminator. The promoters from seven of the segments were examined for their strength and tissue specificity in transgenic tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.), potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) and cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) using a GUS reporter gene assay system. While the promoters of many of the segments were poorly expressed, promoters derived from segments 4 and 7 were shown to direct high levels of expression in various plant tissues and organs. The segment 1 promoter directs predominantly callus-specific expression and, when used to control a selectable marker gene, facilitated the transformation of all three species (tobacco, potato and cotton). From the results, a suite of plant expression vectors (pPLEX) derived from the SCSV genome were constructed and used here to produce herbicide- and insect-resistant cotton, demonstrating their utility in the expression of foreign genes in dicot crop species and their potential for use in agricultural biotechnology.