Use Of Gene Technology Research Articles

Biosafety regulatory frameworks in Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda and Sweden and their potential impact on international R&D collaborations

ABSTRACT Gene technologies, such as transgenesis and new breeding techniques (NBTs), expand the toolbox for plant breeding. Many countries in Africa, however, have long been seen as “slow adopters” of gene technologies for several reasons, one being the lack of, or overly restrictive, biosafety regulatory frameworks. This is sometimes attributed to the influence of the precautionary-oriented EU biosafety policies. This study analyses and compares the biosafety regulatory frameworks and their implementation in Kenya, Nigeria and Uganda, and in the EU member state Sweden. The focus is on (1) the structure of the biosafety regulatory frameworks including the scope of the legislation, (2) the duration and cost of regulatory authorization for field trials with genetically modified (GM) plants, and (3) the regulatory approach to NBT products, i.e. to what extent NBT products are subject to the provisions of the biosafety regulatory framework. The data was collected through studying relevant legal and policy documents as well as interviewing regulatory officers and researchers in the respective countries. We found that the regulatory procedures in the selected countries are relatively straightforward, while the costs and duration may present a challenge. The regulatory approach to NBT products differ between the selected African countries and Sweden, the latter which follows EU regulations. The results are discussed in terms of the impact the regulatory developments in these four jurisdictions may have on international R&D collaborations involving the use of gene technologies and we also weigh the results against the common conception that Europe exerts a heavy influence on African countries in this technology field.

Are null segregants new combinations of heritable material and should they be regulated?

Through genome editing and other techniques of gene technology, it is possible to create a class of organism called null segregants. These genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are products of gene technology but are argued to have no lingering vestige of the technology after the segregation of chromosomes or deletion of insertions. From that viewpoint regulations are redundant because any unique potential for the use of gene technology to cause harm has also been removed. We tackle this question of international interest by reviewing the early history of the purpose of gene technology regulation. The active ingredients of techniques used for guided mutagenesis, e.g., site-directed nucleases, such as CRISPR/Cas, are promoted for having a lower potential per reaction to create a hazard. However, others see this as a desirable industrial property of the reagents that will lead to genome editing being used more and nullifying the promised hazard mitigation. The contest between views revolves around whether regulations could alter the risks in the responsible use of gene technology. We conclude that gene technology, even when used to make null segregants, has characteristics that make regulation a reasonable option for mitigating potential harm. Those characteristics are that it allows people to create more harm faster, even if it creates benefits as well; the potential for harm increases with increased use of the technique, but safety does not; and regulations can control harm scaling.

Food engineers' attitudes and purchasing intentions towards genetically modified organism products.

Background: Biotechnological developments have resulted in the modification of the genetic structures of many organisms. However, the possibility of risks in terms of human health has caused consumers to approach products containing genetically modified organisms (GMOs) with suspicion. Objective: In this study, we aimed to determine the attitudes of food engineers towards GMO products and their effects on purchase intentions. Methods: For this purpose, an attitude scale towards GMO products was adapted, and a multivariate regression analysis was performed by applying the adapted questionnaire. Results: It has been determined that the negative attitudes of food engineers towards GMO products and their purchasing intentions have an effect. Attitudes toward the use of gene technology in production were determined with 17% as the most effective dimension of purchase intention, and it was found to have a significant effect (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Overall, it was determined that food engineers were concerned about the potential risk of GMO foods. In order to overcome these concerns, it is thought that eliminating the lack of knowledge of this professional group on gene technology should be planned as a strategic goal.

The use of gene technologies in the genomic-index assessment of producers of Canadian breeding

The article provides an assessment of the use of gene technologies in the genomic-index assessment of producers in the conditions of farms in the Moscow region, which allows to provide dairy farming with high-quality breeding material. Genomic index assessment accelerates the breeding goal achievement process. It contributed to an increase in the productivity of cattle, an increase in the profitability of cattle breeding, which allows to reduce the time for creating breeding herds of dairy cattle by 2 times. Of the 15 bulls, 10 (67%) were evaluated by the A1-A3 breeding categories. Two bulls were categorized as neutral. The bull Ecuador received the A2B1 breeding categories. The daughters of this bull are fat and milk enhancers, which is 4.46%, with a milk yield of 12432 kg of milk.

Editorial

This editorial, my last as Editor-in-Chief, is somewhat later than expected. I had wanted to tell readers at the end of last year that I would be standing down at the end of March 2019 as planned when I took on the position 4 years ago. However, I decided to wait until we knew who my replacement would be. We now know: the new Editor-in-Chief will be Professor Jennifer Dungait. She and I have started the transfer, during which she will begin to deal with new scripts that are ready for editing and I shall complete those that I have already started. You will notice a considerable change in the format of the journal from May (Issue 3) onwards as the journal moves to more automated typesetting. This should reduce the effort required by both authors and editors, and it obviates the need for scripts to be submitted in precisely the correct format as in the past. Some papers are already on Early View in this format. There have been some ‘teething problems’ with the new format, but these should be resolved in the next few months. My time as editor-in-chief has been an enriching one with so much new knowledge coming through to the journal and exciting new developments in many aspects of our science. Many of these have been stimulated by new types of equipment or by the use of equipment already well established in other fields, such as X-ray computed tomography (CT) scanning. The use of gene technology has extended our knowledge in microbiology considerably; it remains an exciting open-ended field of research. Advanced methods have also enabled a resurgence of interest in soil aggregation and its relations with organic matter. We have continued with the Landmark Series of papers; the one for this year by Burgess & Webster, published first in 1980 and which opened the Pedometrics special issue, was particularly poignant for me because it started me on the path of geostatistics. Over the past 4 years I have broadened the scope of the journal by introducing a section on soil and human health, which also includes ecosystem services. Later this year there will be a small special section on soil and human health. This will probably be published in the same issue as the much larger special section on soil organic matter with papers from the Sixth International Symposium on Soil Organic Matter in 2017, for which Jenni Dungait was the Chair. In addition, we have introduced Short Communications, which I had wanted to do for some time. They can play a valuable role. I am sad to report the untimely death of Lily Pereg, the main guest editor for the special section on soil and health. Eric Brevik, who was also a guest editor on this special section, has kindly offered to take the lead on this, and Fangjie Zhao, one of our Associate Editors, has joined Eric to finalize it. I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know authors by e-mail and to meet some of them at conferences. I have tried to develop a close relation with our team of Associate and Deputy Editors, without whom papers would not get through to fruition. The Associate Editors give their time freely and they do an outstanding job for the journal, and I thank them for their support. The Deputy Editors and staff at PrePress have also helped me in many ways over the past 4 years and I thank them for their unstinting support. I shall be sad to lose the contacts that I have made through the journal, and I hope that some of you will keep in touch. There are many new developments in publishing, in particular the use of social media, and the journal needs to move in this direction to keep up with them. The journal is going be in capable new hands, and I wish Professor Dungait every success in the future.

Використання молекулярно-біологічних методів досліджень у прикладних галузях ветеринарних наук

The article deals with the information on the use of small amounts of molecular research methods in applied fields of veterinary science. Is also considered the main approaches and directions in the sector work of molecular biological research GNIKI of veterinary medicines and feed additives. The objects of researches of molecular biology are specific macromolecule – especially proteins and nucleic acids, the simplest form of living – isolated cell nucleus, organelles of cells, chromosomes, viruses and bacteria. The use of gene technology to analyze food quality for people and feeding stuffs for animal is due to the need for sensitive, rapid and accurate method. Using the PCR method is common for indication and identification of the causative agents of food poisoning. Based on the PCR it was developed methods for analyzing the products, which were made for the use of transgenic microorganisms. The actual use of the PCR is the determination of clinical strains antibiotic resistance of infectious diseases, creating the possibility of quantifying results account to control the dynamics infectious process, the correct choice of treatment and evaluating the effectiveness of used medicines. An important direction of the application of DNA technology is to identify products obtained after using genetic engineering techniques. Thereby, by means of molecular biological research methods the sector of molecular biological studies can perform the following tasks: detection, identification and quantification of the content of genetically modified organisms; identification of plant species of animal protein in premixes, fodder additives and animal feed; conducting monitoring investigations the content of genetically modified organisms and ruminant DNA in premixes, feed additives and animal nutrition according to an annual monitoring plan of feed, feed additives and premixes; in the future diagnosing infectious (bacteria) and parasitic exciter in farm animals and determination of antibiotic resistance in clinical strains of infectious diseases.

Consumer Attitudes toward the Use of Gene Technology in Breakfast Products: Comparison between College Students from the U.S. and China

Second-generation Genetically Modified (GM) crops are associated with consumer-oriented benefits such as improvement of nutritional quality. Given such an evolving market environment, this paper presents differences in consumer preferences and valuations for genetically modified breakfast grain products. The perception of consumers from a developing country, China, is discussed and compared to attitudes in a developed country, the U.S. The survey results reveal that there are notable differences in the attitude and perception of college students across these two countries. Purchase intent for GM foods was low, unless a benefit was promised, and some modifications are viewed more positively than others. Overall, it appears that GM foods may be acceptable in the U.S. and Chinese market. The findings in this study have potential implications for establishing various GM marketing strategies and information campaigns.

Genetics &amp; Sport: Bioethical Concerns

This paper provides an overview of the ethical issues pertaining to the use of genetic insights and techniques in sport. Initially, it considers a range of scientific findings that have stimulated debate about the ethical issues associated with genetics applied to sport. It also outlines some of the early policy responses to these discoveries from world leading sports organizations, along with knowledge about actual use of gene technologies in sport. Subsequently, it considers the challenges with distinguishing between therapeutic use and human enhancement within genetic science, which is a particularly important issue for the world of sport. Next, particular attention is given to the use of genetic information, which raises questions about the legitimacy and reliability of genetic tests, along with the potential public value of having DNA databanks to economize in health care. Finally, the ethics of gene transfer are considered, inviting questions into the values of sport and humanity. It argues that, while gene modification may seem conceptually similar to other forms of doping, the requirements upon athletes are such that new forms of enhancement become increasingly necessary to discover. Insofar as genetic science is able to create safer, more effective techniques of human modification, then it may be an appealing route through which to modify athletes to safeguard the future of elite sports as enterprises of human excellence.

Molecular Strategies for Identification and Deployment of Gene(s) for Abiotic Stress Tolerance in Crop Plants

We live in a momentous period for deploying plant genetic resources to meet abiotic environmental challenges to agricultural productivity and human well-being. Abiotic stresses such as drought, salinity, high and low temperatures and others limit yield and productivity of many cultivated crop plants worldwide. Conventional plant breeding techniques, though resulted in development of many abiotic stress-tolerant varieties has not provided the complete solution to this problem. The successful use of gene technology for complex crop traits and responses to stress environments remains a challenging approach despite its potential. In recent years there have been novel functional genomics approaches in the field of plant biotechnology for identifying genes through transcript profiling, mapping and cloning of QTLS and their deployment through transgenic approach and marker-assisted selection, respectively. These approaches have provided altogether new dimensions to crop improvement activities and opened up avenues for addressing some of the difficult problems hitherto highly intractable through conventional means. In this article efforts have been made to review experimental contrasting case studies reported for identification and deployment of gene(s) for the enhancement of abiotic stress tolerance in crop plants using various strategies.

Students’ Ontological Security and Agency in Science Education—An Example from Reasoning about the Use of Gene Technology

This paper reports on a study of how students' reasoning about socioscientific issues is framed by three dynamics: societal structures, agency and how trust and security issues are handled. Examples from gene technology were used as the forum for interviews with 13 Swedish high-school students (year 11, age 17–18). A grid based on modalities from the societal structures described by Giddens was used to structure the analysis. The results illustrate how the participating students used both modalities for ‘Legitimation’ and ‘Domination’ to justify positions that accept or reject new technology. The analysis also showed how norms and knowledge can be used to justify opposing positions in relation to building trust in science and technology, or in democratic decisions expected to favour personal norms. Here, students accepted or rejected the authority of experts based on perceptions of the knowledge base that the authority was seen to be anchored in. Difficulty in discerning between material risks (reduced safety) and immaterial risks (loss of norms) was also found. These outcomes are used to draw attention to the educational challenges associated with students' using knowledge claims (Domination) to support norms (Legitimation) and how this is related to the development of a sense of agency in terms of sharing norms with experts or with laymen.

Genetically modified wine yeasts and risk assessment studies covering different steps within the wine making process

The use of gene technology to modify the genome of wine yeasts belonging to the species Saccharomyces cerevisiae began in the early 1990s. From a purely scientific point of view, many yeast constructs [genetically modified organisms (GMO)] have been made so far, covering more or less all stages of the wine making process in which microorganisms or commercial enzymes play a key role. The range of theoretical applications is summarised in this report. So far, only two wine-producing countries worldwide allow the use of engineered wine yeasts; the changing situation in Germany regarding consumers’ attitudes towards gene technology, and foodstuffs thus produced, will be outlined here. Experiments at the Geisenheim Research Center have highlighted the essential stages of the wine making process where yeasts are involved by using engineered wine yeasts in comparison with non-engineered yeast strains. Greenhouse simulations revealed the persistence of genetically modified (gm) yeasts when these were used as fertilizers, as vintners do with yeast lees after the fermentation process. Furthermore, the persistence of engineered yeast was also monitored in fermentations, after bottling, and after biological treatment of winery waste water. It turned out that engineered wine yeast strains behave like non-engineered wine yeasts. They also persist in the winery interior and installations as well as becoming part of the yeast flora on grape vines in a vineyard with annual fluctuations in the composition of the yeast populations.

Eighth International Symposium on Grapevine Physiology and Biotechnology

Reflecting on my introductory comments at the opening of this symposium, and after experiencing the plenary sessions and viewing the poster papers, it is clear that the rich potential suggested by the theme of this symposium, 21st Century Grape Research: Challenges and Opportunities was substantially delivered. Much of the viticultural sector's essential innovation and adaptation to market, environmental, economic and social challenges in the immediate term and over the remainder of the century are likely to be delivered only via effective interaction of research and development (R&D); this R&D will entail, at its base, a reliance on the disciplines of vine physiology and biotechnology, often at the interface of the two and within broader multidisciplinary team activities. Given the heightened recognition of emerging climatic and resource pressures, global economic uncertainties and accelerated population growth, it was timely that the Vitis sp., its management and genotype, was the focus of this symposium. Expectations of science and industry have been sharpened not least from these pressures but also from the promise and ‘hype’ surrounding science and technology in general, and more specifically surrounding genetics and its derivative technologies. For researchers in viticulture, working with what is perhaps the most cultivated (and culturally significant) of perennial crops, the challenges spread across aspects of productivity, tolerance to environmental stresses and acute environmental shocks, the application of diagnostic and predictive tools and systems and manipulation of sensory qualities of the grape. Use of gene technologies in vine improvement and breeding programs and the integration of biotechnologies into viticultural R&D and vineyard management will demand considerable multidisciplinary planning and effort, paralleled by actions directed to defining and demonstrating potential benefits and problems for environment and consumers, not simply for producers. In this special issue of the Australian Journal of Grape and Wine Research a selection of papers presented by the invited keynote speakers at the Eight International Symposium for Grapevine Physiology and Biotechnology are published. These papers reflect a current perspective on research across these themes and offer a prospective outlook on future needs and developments in grapevine improvement, adaptation and management. It is clear that interaction and interchange between the disciplines of vine physiology, gene technology and vine selection and breeding has delivered substantial progress in generating underlying knowledge, experimental technique and scientific capacity. Perhaps the time is now right for a more deliberate mapping of the fields of interaction and development of a midterm strategy for delivering significant results for environment, management and society. Development of a broadly supported, results-focused strategy will provide a basis for more fundamental breakthroughs in systems research for the benefit of both the R&D sector, industry and society; perhaps as important for R&D practitioners, it will considerably assist in maintaining understanding, acceptance and ongoing funding for both established and newer approaches to research based around the grapevine.

Genetic Modification in Floriculture

An important driving force for the floriculture industry is the development of novel plants and flowers. New varieties provide marketing opportunities for retailers and judicious selection can increase productivity for growers, as well as improving the quality of the final product in the consumer's hands. While plant exploration and conventional breeding programs have been very successful in achieving these goals, genetic modification offers additional routes for the generation of new varieties of important floricultural plants. This can be achieved by the incorporation of genes from outside of the normally available gene pool. This paper provides a summary of the potential applications of gene technology in floriculture and reviews progress to date, with a particular emphasis on the manipulation of flower color. The manipulation of the anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway in carnation to produce novel-colored flowers is so far the only commercial application of genetic modification in floriculture. This progress is in stark contrast to the widespread cultivation of genetically modified broad-acre crops. The commercial use of gene technology requires adherence to regulatory regimes specific to genetically modified plants, and compliance with intellectual property laws. These added complexities are a significant cost, which may be hampering the use of gene technology by breeders of floricultural crops. Another factor may be a perception that the public and retail trade may not accept genetically modified floricultural products. Experience in the real marketplace with the Florigene Moon-series™ of genetically modified carnation suggests that these concerns are unwarranted.

Cell-bionics: tools for real-time sensor processing

The accurate monitoring of the physiological status of cells, tissues and whole organisms demands a new generation of devices capable of providing accurate data in real time with minimal perturbation of the system being measured. To deliver on the promise of cell-bionics advances over the past decade in miniaturization, analogue signal processing, low-power electronics, materials science and protein engineering need to be brought together. In this paper we summarize recent advances in our research that is moving us in this direction. Two areas in particular are highlighted: the exploitation of the physical properties inherent in semiconductor devices to perform very low power on chip signal processing and the use of gene technology to tailor proteins for sensor applications. In the context of engineered tissues, cell-bionics could offer the ability to monitor the precise physiological state of the construct, both during 'manufacture' and post-implantation. Monitoring during manufacture, particularly by embedded devices, would offer quality assurance of the materials components and the fabrication process. Post-implantation monitoring would reveal changes in the underlying physiology as a result of the tissue construct adapting to its new environment.

Biotechnology in ornamental horticulture

Genetic engineering techniques have so far had limited impact in the field of ornamental horticulture. As outlined in this review, transformation systems and potential genes of interest are available. As the development of new, novel varieties is an important driving force in the industry, there are, therefore, good prospects for the development of genetically modified ornamental variaties. The few products in the market to date may simply be a reflection of the relatively small scale of the industry compared to the major food crops, and the wide diversity of species within it. Commercial issues attendant to the use of gene technology in ornamental plants need careful consideration. These include careful choice of crop and background variety, the international regulatory process and freedom to operate.

Genetically Modified Crops: a US Farmer's Versus an EU Citizen's Point of View

Genetically modified (GM) crops have been widely adopted by American farmers. Mainly two traits, herbicide resistance and insect resistance, constitute the area of GM crops. The commercial success of these crops derives from benefits in farm management and more generally from greater efficiency in production. European population surveys continue to show widespread opposition to GM crops and other applications of gene technology in food production. Danish focus group interviews reveal general concerns that seem to form the basis for the negative perception of GM crops. The aim of the paper is to explain why American farmers and European citizens adopt opposing attitudes to GM crops. It is argued that there is a clear conflict of interest between the two groups. At present GM crops provide no genuine benefits to the consumer, who is therefore unwilling to run even very small risks arising from the use of gene technology in food production. European citizens also connect GM crops with intensive agricultural practices, which are perceived as unsustainable. Here values may diverge, but discussion about sustainable agriculture is not primarily about GM crops: it is much broader.

Consumer preferences for GM food and other attributes of the food system

While qualitative surveys regarding consumers’ attitudes about gene technologies and their application to food production are plentiful, quantitative studies are less so. The present paper reports choice modelling methods to examine the conditions under which Australian consumers are willing to purchase genetically modified (GM) foods, if at all, and examines those preferences within the context of the food system as a whole. This allows us to compare consumer attitudes towards gene technology to consumer preferences for other features of the food they consume. The results of the choice modelling analysis suggest consumers require a discount on their weekly food bill before they will purchase GM food. Gene technology using animal as well as plant genes was found to be more objectionable to respondents than that using plant genes alone, especially among women. Age seems to affect the preferences for a certain type of food, with older people generally more accepting of the use of gene technology.

Foundations of production and consumption of organic food in Norway: Common attitudes among farmers and consumers?

In Norway, the production andconsumption of organic food is still small-scale. Research on attitudes towards organic farming in Norway has shown that most consumers find conventionally produced food to be “good enough.” The level of industrialization of agriculture and the existence of food scandals in a country will affect consumer demand for organically produced foods. Norway is an interesting case because of its small-scale agriculture, few problems with food-borne diseases, and low market share for organic food. Similarities between groups of consumers and producers of food, organic and conventional, when it comes to attitudes concerning environment, use of gene technology, and animal welfare have implications for understanding market conditions for organically produced food. The results of our study indicate that organic farmers and organic consumers in Norway have common attitudes towards environmental questions and animal welfare in Norwegian agriculture. Conventional farmers have a higher degree of agreement with the way agriculture is carried out today. Unlike organic farmers and consumers, conventional farmers do not see major environmental problems and problems with animal welfare in today's farming system. But like the organic farmers and consumers, and to a stronger degree than conventional consumers, conventional farmers renounce gene technology as a solution to environmental problems in agriculture. These results are discussed in relation to their importance for the market situation for organically produced foods.

Genetic design for facilitated production and recovery of recombinant proteins in Escherichia coli.

Genetic strategies have been used for more than two decades to improve bacterial bioprocesses and to simplify recovery procedures. Such strategies include the design of efficient expression vectors and the improvement of bacterial production strains in different ways, e.g. by deletion of protease genes or engineering for overexpression of rare-codon tRNAs, foldases or chaperones. Gene multimerization is another such principle that has proved beneficial to improve production yields. Genetic strategies have furthermore been exploited to facilitate recovery processes by adapting the product for a particular purification principle. In this area, affinity fusions have been commonly used, but other principles, such as modified isoelectric point (pI) or hydrophobic properties have also been successfully investigated. A recent drastic step forward in the use of gene technology to improve recovery processes for recombinant proteins is the introduction of combinatorial protein engineering to generate tailor-made product-specific affinity ligands. This strategy, which allows efficient recovery of a recombinant protein in its native form, is likely to be increasingly used also in industrial-scale bioprocesses, since novel protein ligands have been described that can be sanitized using common industrial cleaning-in-place procedures. The examples presented in this review make it evident that genetic strategies will be of utmost importance in the future for facilitating production and recovery of recombinant proteins.

Reflective Christian Communication in Moral Controversies

Intractable disagreement over moral issues is a familiar feature of the public policy landscape in Australia. Controversies in biomedicine (abortion, euthanasia and access to assisted reproductive technologies), in social policy (legalizing and normalizing of homosexuality, mandatory sentencing and the control of illicit drug use) and in environmental policy (the exploitation of forests, the disposal of hazardous wastes, and the use of gene technolo gies in food production)?to name a few?show a similar pattern. Such disputes are rarely fully resolved. They may recede from center stage for a time, either because of general public exhaustion or the successful brokering of short term legislative solutions. However, they typically return sooner or later, with the disagreement between parties just as intense as it was before. Not surprisingly, Christian church agencies, Christian activist groups and individual Christians are often prominent participants in such disputes. Most Christian mainstream church agencies1 have been active in debates over abortion, euthanasia and the various issues surrounding reproductive technology and genetic medicine. Christians are not only in disagreement with those outside the faith. As the continuing controversy surrounding the moral meaning of homosexuality indicates, intense moral conflict is a famil iar problem within the Christian community as well.