Biotechnologies: Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resource Issues

Instructors:Steve StraussKirstin Carroll

Apakah Bioteknologi ?

Biotechnology – techniques of modern biology that employ living organisms (or part of organisms) to make or modify products, improve plants or animals, or develop

microorganisms for specific uses.

Early examples of biotechnology….Plant domesticationFermentation (bread, wine, cheese)Crop domestication

Rice

TomatoPine

Pembudidayaan Tanaman

Maize

Brassica oleracia

Wildcabbage

Kale, 500 BC

Ornamental kaleLate 1900's

Cauliflower1400's

BroccoliItaly, 1500's

Cabbage, 100 AD

KohlrabiGermany, 100 AD

Brussel sproutsBelgium, 1700's

Creation of crops that never existed in nature before…

Wheat, Triticum aestivum

Triticum urartu2n=14

Aegilops speltoides2n=14

Triticum turgidum2n=28

X

Triticum aestivum2n=42

Aegilops tauschii2n=14X

Modern Biotechnology and GE

Biotech = GE = GM = GMO = GEO

This class will focus mainly on biotechnologies that include the use of modern genetic engineering (GE) techniques.

GE - is the use of recombinant DNA (gene splicing) and asexual gene transfer methods to alter the structure or expression of specific genes and traits.

Isu-isu Bioteknologi A new science – genomics A new technology – gene transfer New laws have been generated

– New patent rights and market power– Food safety regulations– Environmental safety regulations– Novel contaminants and liabilities

Raises new ethical issues – is it OK? Obtaining global agreement on food

trade and biodiversity protection rules Social controversy = misuse of

science, propaganda wars, fear, stigma

Rapid Adoption of Biotechnology – fastest growing technology ever!

Adopsi Cepat Bioteknologi– 70% of all processed

foods on U.S. store shelves contain some component from GM organisms

– All aspartame (a.k.a. Nutrasweet) is from GM bacteria, most rennet in cheese is too.

– Essentially all insulin is GE (and many pharmaceuticals)

Public relations campaigns against the technology…

Industry campaigns for the technology…

Half truths, distortions,

make it hard to tell what is going on

and who is deceiving who

How many consumers feel about food biotechnology

Is Zambia right to refuse GM food? BBC Poll Results

http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/2412603.stm?dynamic_vote=ON1 February 2003, n = 5108

49.2 49.4 49.6 49.8 50 50.2 50.4

Yes

No

In 2002, 2.5 million Zambians faced starvation. President would not allow GM food aid

for US AID. He described the GM food as

“poison” and refused the food due to “scientific

uncertainity”. Six other African nations

were facing food shortages at the time, four of them

(Zimbabwe, Malawi, Mozambique and Lesotho) agreed to receive GM food

aid provided that it is milled.

Exports to European markets at greatest risk – not health

of people.

Crossing of existing approved plant varieties*

*includes all methods of breeding

Conventional pollen based crossing of closely related species

Selection from a heterogenous population

rDNA via Agrobacterium, transfer of genes from closely related species

Mutation breeding, chemical mutagenesis, ionizing radiation

Somatic hybridization

Somaclonal variation (SCV)

rDNA biolistic, transfer of genes from closely related species

rDNA biolistic, transfer of genes from distantly related species

Conventional pollen based crossing of distantly related species or embryo rescue

Selection from a homogenous population

rDNA via Agrobacterium, transfer of genes from distantly related species

Likelihood of unintended effects (arbitrary scale)Less likely

More likely

Risks of unintended effects on food

Biotechnology and Society Any new technology takes time for

acceptance. (e.g. pasteurization &

microwaves) Food is an emotional and personal

area.(more controversial than

medicines) Limited public understanding of

science and agriculture. Sensationalized media coverage

raises fears and sets public agendas. Biotechnology raises complex ethical

and social issues which need attention.

Scientific Questions About GE Crops

Is eating food from transgenic crops a health hazard?

Does pollen from transgenic crops contaminate non-transgenic crop varieties?

Will herbicide-resistant GE crops create “superweeds”?

Do transgenic crops reduce biodiversity?

Will insect pests become resistant to Bt toxin?

Non-Scientific Questions About GE Crops

1. Why do we need GMOs?2. Who will benefit?3. Who decided to develop them and how?4. Why weren’t we better informed?5. Why aren’t we given a choice?6. Do regulatory agencies have sufficient power?7. Who will be accountable in cases of unforeseen harm?