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Genetic Improvements Techniques and a Future in Small Farms
The 2014 Educational Program Committee is pleased to share conference educational materials with you under the condition that they are used without alteration for educational and non-commercial use only. All materials are protected by copyright law. The authors kindly request their work is properly cited, including the date of publication. For more information on Small Farms, visit our website at: http://smallfarms.ifas.ufl.edu/ or contact your local County Extension Agent. For inquiries about this topic, please contact: Danielle Treadwell, Educational Program Chair. Phone: (352) 273-4775 Email: [email protected] Suggested Citation: Author Full Name. Title of Presentation or Handout. 2014 University of Florida-IFAS and Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University-CAFS Florida Small Farms and Alternative Enterprises Conference. August 1-2, Kissimmee, FL.
Genetic Improvement Techniques and a Future in Small Farms
Kevin M. Folta Associate Professor and Chair
Horticultural Sciences Department
kfolta.blogspot.com @kevinfolta
Single-Gene Genetic Improvement Transgenic/Cisgenic/CRISPR etc Not so common. Why? Few specialty crops. Change will be a question of public acceptance of science and a need defined by farmers. Farmers need to be part of the equation in benefits vs. limitations
Basic Information – How it works Why isn’t it adopted? Misinformation and Deception What’s Coming? – Opportunities Lost and Products on the Horizon
Transgenic (GMO) foods are among the most tested products in the world.1 Transgenic crops pose no more risk than conventionally bred crops. 1
There is limited/no feasible mechanism that they would be harmful outside of those extensively tested. 1
The genes/proteins inserted have been well studied for decades.1
Transgenic crops have decreased insecticide use and help farmers remain competitive. 1
In 17 years since release there has not been one case of illness or death related to the products. 1 The Impact of Genetically Modified Crops on Farm Sustainability in the USA. National Academies Press, 2010
Basic Information
GM Acreage
GM Crops Available Now
Three Main Traits Virus Resistance Insect Resistance Herbicide Resistance
How Do We Make this Understandable? Turn OFF something that normally is ON Turn ON something that is normally OFF or not there
Central Dogma of Molecular Biology
DNA – genetic material, Hard copy safe in the nucleus of a cell
RNA – Transient copy of the same information (+/-)
Protein – Does the work! Enzymes, structures, etc.
Papaya Ringspot Virus Good example of RNAi suppression
Gene Silencing
GM papaya saved an industry, not a Big Ag product Share the vision, what else could we silence? - allergens - anti-nutrients - physiology associated with post-harvest decay - many others!!
Turn something ON that isn’t there normally
GMO Crops Make Pesticides
How Bt Works
Advantages to Bt resistance Less insecticide sprayed on fields -Lower costs to farmers -Lower impact on environment (in China 2003, Bt cotton prevented >300,000 tons of insecticde use) - 50-75% less pesticide used since 2003 - lower chance for resistance - targeted to larvae of specific insects - no insecticidal residues Source: National Academies of Science, 2010 Tomorrow’s Table, Dr. Pamela Ronald 2007
Limitations to Bt - The need to include non-Bt refugia
- Development of resistance
- Does not work well on rootworms
Roundup Ready Products
A gene is inserted that allows plants to survive in the presence of the herbicide. Farmers can spray to kill non-transgenic plants.
How Herbicide Resistance Works
A B C Amino acids proteins
epsps
glyphosate
X Plants
How Herbicide Resistance Works
A B C Amino acids proteins
epsps glyphosate
X
A B C Amino acids proteins
epsps
Plants
Bacteria
glyphosate
How Herbicide Resistance Works
A B C Amino acids proteins
epsps
epsps
Plants
X
glyphosate
A B C Amino acids proteins
Bacteria
glyphosate
How Herbicide Resistance Works
A B C Amino acids proteins
epsps
Plants
glyphosate
Resistance!
•Talk about limitations
So What’s the Problem?
Soft understanding of science Mistrust of scientists Legacy corporate perception An internet filled with “experts” It’s about food!
A Debate? Only a few crops affected Only three traits No reliable evidence of health effects Benefits outweigh limitations No more risk than conventionally grown crops
“Experts” are not scientists Most profit from their position Façade organizations Appeal to fear
Manufacturing Risk
Transgenic (GMO) cause cancer, autism, arthritis, asthma, ADHD, obesity, morgellian’s disease, parkinson’s, and 100 other ailments. Farmers must use GM crops because companies force them to. Farmers are sued for a few GM seeds in their fields if they don’t have contract with the company.
There have been no long term studies and nobody knows what the genes do. There are unknown effects and we should not use the technology. GM crop are engineered to displace all other crops and give a few companies world domination and control of the food supply. Many others!
Myths- We can address in Q&A
Lost Opportunities
Opposition to this technology has significant costs. The needy The environment Farmers Consumers
Technology Exists NOW
Research has been published demonstrating that transgenic techniques can: Biofortify foods with vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients Grow plants in marginal areas Grow plants with fewer inputs Efficient use of fertilizers Insect resistance Disease resistance
Golden Rice
X
Farmers
Consumers
Environment
Needy
Opposition to golden rice cost $2 billion to farmers in developing countries and 1.4 million human years – Wesseler et al., 2014
Cassava
Virus Resistant Cassava (VIRCA) Biocassava Plus (BC Plus)
250 million depend on cassava 50 million tons lost to virus.
X
X Farmers
Consumers
Environment
Needy
BS2 Tomato A pepper gene in tomato eases black spot and wilt.
X
X Farmers
Consumers
Environment
Needy
Acrylamide Free, non Browning Potatoes
X X
Farmers
Consumers
Environment
Needy
Non Browning Apples Silencing a gene that leads to discoloration
X X
Farmers
Consumers
Environment
Needy
Small Business! X
Virus Resistant Beans Embrapa, Brazil
Improved Oil Composition
Rice, 2009 projections
Other crops, 2009 projections
Other crops, 2009 projections
Conclusions: Our mission is to use all tools available to generate new plant lines that will produce more, higher-quality plant products with fewer inputs and less environmental impact. Small farms have not seen much benefit from transgenic crops High costs of deregulation and public perception hinder product development New products offer consumer-centric benefits
Where do I get good information?
Warm welcome Cold facts
GMOanswers.com
Biofortified.org
geneticliteracyproject.com Kfolta.blogspot.com “Illumination”
Public Issues Many calling for labeling of grocery items made from GM crops. Legislation may eventually be developed in Florida A “right to know” vs. a new bureaucracy? Gateway to banning technology that helps farmers and can do much more for the environment and the needy.
Seralini et al 2012 Figure 3
Bad Science and the “Link” to Tumors
