Agric311 Controversies in Biotechnology PDF

Controversies in Biotechnology Objectives: 1. Evaluate the validity of the statement pertaining to controversies in biotechnology. 2. Discuss and explain the myth and facts of controversies in biotechnology. 3. Discuss the implication of the controversies in the develop...

Controversies in Biotechnology Objectives: 1. Evaluate the validity of the statement pertaining to controversies in biotechnology. 2. Discuss and explain the myth and facts of controversies in biotechnology. 3. Discuss the implication of the controversies in the development of biotechnology. Controversies in Biotechnology ❑ Monarch butterfly controversy ❑ StarLinkTM controversy ❑ Poisonous potato controversy ❑ Mexican corn gene escape & gene flow ❑ Allergenicity ❑ Antibiotic resistance ❑ Terminator gene technology ❑ Stem cells therapy ❑ Empirical vs. moral debate ❑ Anything else? Genetically Modified Organism (GMOs) Controversies surrounding GMOs primarily involve Safety Labeling, and Environmental impacts Ethical Concern Biotechnology raises significant ethical issues, particularly in areas like Genetic engineering and cloning Concerns include the mixing of human and animal genes Regulatory Challenges Many argue for stricter regulations based on precautionary principles, while others claim that existing frameworks are sufficient to ensure safety Scientific Misunderstandings This disconnect highlights the need for better public education on scientific principles related to biotechnology. Socioeconomic Implications Concerns over patent rights held by large corporations, which can disadvantage small farmers and lead to inequitable access to biotechnological advancements Myths and Facts in Biotechnology Myths and Facts Surrounding Biotechnology Controversies Biotechnology, particularly in agriculture, has generated significant public debate and controversy. This discourse often revolves around genetically modified organisms (GMOs), leading to a plethora of myths and misunderstandings. Below, we explore some common myths and the corresponding facts that clarify these controversies.  GMOs Are Unnatural Myth: Many people perceive GMOs as unnatural, believing that genetic modification is fundamentally different from traditional breeding methods. Fact: Genetic engineering is an extension of natural processes that have been occurring for millennia. All domesticated plants and animals have been modified through selective breeding, which is akin to the genetic modifications made in biotechnology GMOs Cause Health Issues Myth: There are claims that GMO foods cause allergies, cancer, and other health problems. Fact: Extensive research has shown that GMO foods are safe for human consumption and nutritionally equivalent to their non-GMO counterparts. Major health organizations, including the National Academies of Sciences, agree on their safety GMOs Lead to Super Weeds and Pests Myth: The introduction of GMOs has resulted in the emergence of "super bugs" and "killer weeds.“ Fact: The evolution of resistant pests and weeds is primarily due to the overuse of pesticides rather than the use of GM crops themselves. Responsible management practices can mitigate these issues Field Trials Are Dangerous Myth: Field trials of biotech crops pose a high risk of contaminating non-GMO crops Fact: These trials are conducted under strict regulations designed to prevent contamination, including measures to control pollen flow and entry into food pathways GMOs Are a Corporate Plot Myth: Some believe that GMOs are a means for corporations to control food supplies and exploit farmers. Fact: Many smallholder farmers in developing countries benefit from GMOs, which can increase yields and improve food security. The majority of biotech crop farmers are resource-poor individuals who choose these crops for economic benefits StarLinkTM Corn Issue ✓ Started mid-Sept 2000 ✓ Aventis Crop Science Bt corn (StarLinkTM corn) ✓ Has Cry9c gene from B. thuringiensis subsp. tolworthi for resistance against European corn borer ✓ Approved by EPA for animal feed & industrial applications (non-food use & seed increase only) ✓ Not allowed for human food because protein from Cry9c has slow digestibility & no conclusive results yet on allergenicity potential ✓ EPA directs Aventis to facilitate proper disposal & prevent cross- pollination with regular corn ✓ Detected in taco shells by Kraft Foods & Taco Bell food chain ✓ ~ 1% contamination estimated StarLinkTM Corn Issue (2) ✓ October 2000, Aventis & EPA agreed to cancel the registration of StarLink ✓ Aventis bought back all of their StarLink seeds ✓ 51 alleged cases of allergenic reactions, only 28 of 51 were confirmed true by CDC ✓ An overblown issue since there were no significant health threats ✓ Lesson: any GE crop needs to be approved for food, feed & industrial use ✓ In the PHL and Asia in general, many food products are commercialized with no food tests (+other biochemical tests) StarLinkTM Corn Issue (3) ❑ EPA Scientific Advisory panel considered protein Cry9C a medium risk potential human allergen. ❑ Protein was slow to digest, suggesting a possible concern, but the protein’s a. a. sequence was not similar to known allergens therefore the likelihood of allergenicity is low ❑ How did the contamination happen? StarLink grains are mixed with other varieties of corn through common milling companies. Impact on farmers: need to meticulously clean all their equipment & other facilities (e.g. dryers, shellers, sacks, trucks, etc.) Processors/millers: segregation, labeling, cleanliness of equipment & other facilities will be very demanding & critical, etc. “Monarch Butterfly” ❑ EPA issue (Environmental Protection Agency) ❑ Several proteins from Bt are “endotoxins” to Lepidopteran species ❑ Milkweed *(Asclepias syriaca) – common host of MB; has some toxins too ❑ Hansen & Obrycki (1998) – potted milkweed plants near Bt & non-Bt corn fields; poster paper ❑ John Losey et al. (1999) – MB larvae fed with Bt pollen (lab); published in Science ❑ Responsibility to review articles for partial info or misinformation; quality & quantity of research “GM Potato” ❑ Dr. Arpad Putzai (1998) experiment on potato aphid ❑ GM potato has genes from snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis) bulb or South American jack beans (for lectins and Con A) ❑ 5 rats fed with GM potato for 110 d ❑ Stunted rat growth & damaged immune system ❑ Lectins are resistant to digestion (toxic to insects, harmless to mammals) ❑ Trt: raw and cooked GM potato & non-GM potato ❑ Unreviewed results, unvalidated ❑ Dr. Putzai was suspended, GM potatoes were destroyed and pulled out*** ❑ Damage had been done – reputation questioned http://image.slidesharecdn.com/potatocontroversypresentation-120808033729-phpapp01/95/potato-controversy- presentation-5-728.jpg?cb=1344398105 “Mexican Corn Contamination” ❑ November 29, 2001 of Nature: 2 researchers at UC Berkeley reported presence of transgenic DNA constructs in native maize landraces grown in remote mountains in Oaxaca, Mexico ❑ Authors reported that it occurred as multiple introgression events, transgenic DNA constructs seemed re-assorted & introduced into different genomic backgrounds, possibly during transformation or recombination ❑ Introgression of transgenes, instability in the genome, & maintenance through generations, immediately raised interest & concern of scientific community, environmental protection organizations, & press ❑ transgenic maize was soon tagged as threat to existing maize biodiversity & to germplasm collection maintained ex-situ at CIMMYT ❑ But authors were not able to present solid empirical data to support their claims Conclusion In summary, while biotechnology holds immense potential for improving human life and addressing global challenges, it also brings a host of ethical, safety, environmental, and social issues that need to be carefully managed. Balancing the benefits and risk of biotechnology requires ongoing dialogue, ethical and adaptive regulatory measures.  References: Jamago, J.M. 2016. Plant Breeding, Applied genetics, Crop improvement, Crop engineering. ISAA. 2007. Pocket K No. 26: Molecular Pharming and Biopharmaceuticals.https://www.isaaa.org/resources/publications /pocketk/26/defa ult.asp ISAA. 2007. Pocket K No. 27: Biotechnology and Biofortification. https://www.isaaa.org/resources/publications/pocketk/27/defaul t.as p Powell, K. 2007. Nat. Biotech. 25:525-531 Remollo, J.A.M. 2021. Basic Biotechnology