In This
Issue:
USDA:
HIGHER GM PLANTINGS IN 2003
The
National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) of the US Department
of Agriculture predicts that farmers will increase their plantings
of biotechnology varieties in 2003. Data in the NASS publication "Prospective
Plantings" show that about 38 percent of the 79 million acres
of corn planted this year is expected to be improved through biotechnology
or about a four percent increase over 2002. Farmers signified their
intention of planting more insect resistant (Bt) corn. For soybean,
it is estimated that 80 percent of the crop will be biotechnology
varieties or a five percent increase over 2002.
A decrease
of 1 percent in farmers planting either insect resistant or herbicide
resistant cotton is expected in 2003.
NASS
conducts a yearly survey among randomly selected farmers across
the US to determine what they intend to plant during the upcoming
growing season.
The
detailed report is available in http://www.usda.gov/nass/PUBS/TODAYRPT/pspl0303.pdf
AUSTRALIA OKS GM CANOLA
Australian
farmers will soon plant genetically modified (GM) canola. The Commonwealth
gene technology regulator in Australia gave the go signal for the
crop to be grown in farmers fields.
The
regulator has released for public comment the risk management plan
for the commercial release of the crop by Bayer, Cropscience and
has set eight weeks for this process. However, Dr. Sue Meek, regulator,
says that "the GM canola presents no greater risks than conventional
non-GM canola to human health and safety or the environment."
The
Victorian Farmers Federation expressed confidence that GM canola
would be grown this year.
The
full report at http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/s822127.htm
PUBLIC STILL WARY
OF GENETIC SCIENCE
Discovery
Channel recently commissioned the first global poll to assess attitudes
about DNA and genetics around the world. The survey aimed to know
how people perceive the impact of genetics on their lives, and
how informed are they of current progress. The survey was conducted
in eight countries, namely: United Kingdom, Denmark, Poland, Mexico,
Brazil, Taiwan, Turkey, and the United States.
The
survey reveals the following findings:
- Only
8% of the respondents feel that they understand developments
in genetic science very well. However, many people share the
high optimism of scientists that genetics will decide the future
of the human race. Most support was found in Brazil, while the
least was found in the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Public opinion is in agreement that new genetic developments
will bring cures for most diseases.
- Sixty-five
percent (65%) of the respondents in both the United Kingdom and
Poland strongly agreed that human genetic research is dangerous
because it tampers with nature. Fifty-two percent (52%) of the
respondents from Denmark disagreed.
- Seventy-two
percent (72%) of Polish respondents feel the rules and regulations
governing genetic engineering are lagging behind the scientific
developments. UK respondents, however, demonstrated the greatest
level of concern.
- Overall,
83% of the respondents are against cloning a family member if
they died - opposition was greatest in Denmark at 97%. In general,
82% also believed that there has already been a successfully
cloned human, and 71% are in favor of a government ban on human
cloning.
- Majority
(83%) feel that gene technology (which is used to satisfy a personal,
cultural or aesthetic desire) should only be used for purely
medical conditions that threaten life or quality of life.
- Eighty
percent (80%) of Turks would welcome having the right to screen
out embryos that are found to be carrying a hereditary disease.
- Taiwanese
respondents (39%) would be most likely to persist with gene therapy
(treatment that alters and replaces genes) even though it poses
dangers, while 60% of the Mexicans would discontinue treatment.
- Overall,
58% of the respondents polled are unwilling to eat genetically
modified (GM) food, and 55% believe that it is acceptable to
send GM food to countries in need. Also, 66% support GM crop
developments if they will result to cheaper medicines.
For
more details, see http://highmarkfunds.stockpoint.com/highmarkfunds/
newspaper.asp?Mode=genetics&Story=20030331/090p4727.xml.
EU PUBLIC'S VIEWS ON AGRI-BIOTECH
Consumers'
perceptions on biotechnology are influenced by a range of issues
such as environmental concerns, globalization, US foreign policy,
and different sectoral opinions. In order to provide an overview
of recent consumer opinion research on agricultural biotechnology,
KRC Research was commissioned by the Agricultural Biotechnology
Europe (ABE) to compile a representative collection of key findings
from several studies.
This
review entitled "European Views on Agricultural Biotechnology:
An Overview of Public Opinion" aims to reflect the current
state of thinking on key aspects of the debate on agricultural
biotechnology. The surveys analyzed in this study are: The Grocer
(2002), ABE (2001 and 2002), MORI (2002), The Consumer's Association
(2002), Agricultural Biotechnology Council (2001), IfD Allensbach
(2001), NOP (2001), Eurobarometer (2000), and the US Department
of State (1999).
Some
of the highlights of the review are as follows:
- Awareness
of biotechnology is highest in Germany (63%), and lowest in Spain
(34%).
- Europeans
(47%) say that they have heard more from those who oppose genetically
modified (GM) crops and food, while 8% have heard more from those
who support them. Thirty percent (30%) say they have heard equally
from both sides. However, these trends have been reversed since
2001, with Europeans' ratio of hearing more from the opponents
decreasing, and equally from both sides increasing.
- The
most serious concern about GM of European consumers is the possibility
of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) upsetting the balance
of nature and damaging the environment (49%). However, data shows
that as consumers continue to get more balanced information on
biotechnology, concerns about environmental impacts could decrease
further.
- While
66% of European consumers support the use of biotechnology to
develop new drugs, few support using it to genetically modify
food. Opinion leaders tend to be more supportive of the technology.
- More
neutral language leads to higher levels of support. Fifty percent
(50%) of the UK respondents say they would support using biotechnology
for "food production." Also, a recent MORI poll in
the UK shows that opinions on eating foods produced using agri-biotech
can be affected by the way the question was phrased or asked.
- Much
of the change in views on whether to buy or not to buy GM foods
has occurred in Spain (more undecided), Italy (more undecided)
and the UK (less likely to buy). Changes can be attributed to
the fact that these consumers report receiving more balanced
information from both supporters and opponents of agricultural
biotechnology.
- Fifty-eight
percent (58%) of the respondents say that if they noticed GM
ingredients listed on the label of a food product they would
not buy the product. MORI data (2002) show that 76% of British
consumers believe that labeling should only be compulsory for
all products with GM ingredients.
- Fifty-eight
percent (58%) of the British consumers say that they would accept
GM crops if they would reduce allergic reactions, if industry
would encourage labeling (55%), fewer pesticides were needed
(51%), and information for informed decision making was provided
(51%). The Consumer Association (2002) added that 39% of UK consumers
would buy GM food if less chemicals were used to produce it.
- Sixty-four
(64%) of Europeans would allow scientific research on GM crops,
while the MORI poll (2002) states that 69% of UK consumers want
research on GM crops to continue.
The
full report can be downloaded at http://abeurope.dynamicweb.dk/images/files/
Public_opinion_overview_on_biotechnology.pdf.
MUOROTO FARMERS ADOPT
BIOTECH
The
Muoroto farmers' self-help group, based at Dagoreti, Kikuyu, recently
adopted biotechnology and was convinced of the technology's benefits.
The Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI) and the Kenya
Biotechnology Information Center also conducted a training seminar
for the said farmers in order to introduce them to biotechnology
and opportunities of the technology in Kenya.
The
training seminar enabled the farmers to be made aware of plant
biotechnology applications like tissue culture (TC) technology,
clonal trees, and molecular marker assisted selection (MMAS), as
well as the institutions involved in biotechnology activities.
A traveling
workshop also took place which included visits to the following
areas: the Tree Biotechnology Project at the Forest Department
Headquarters in Karura forest; KARI, National Horticultural Research
Centre (NHRC) in Thika, and the different farmer banana orchards
in Maragua. / Kenya Biotechnology Information Center
More
about KARI at http://www.hridir.org/countries/kenya/PROVCOUN/
kenya_agricultural_research_institute_kari/
GENE FLOW ASSESSMENT
IN GM PLANTS
The
potential risk of gene flow has to be assessed case by case and
caution is necessary when making general conclusions. Gene flow
and introgression will happen to some extent. Jaquima Messeguer
of Centre de Cabrils, in Barcelona, Spain made this conclusion
in her review of major studies on gene flow assessment.
Messequer
notes that in some particular crops, containment strategies can
greatly reduce the risk of gene flow through cross-pollination.
However, it would be very difficult to control the appearance of
transgenic volunteers due to the seed dropped, blown or inadvertedly
planted during harvest and conventional management practices. She
adds however, that during the time that transgenic crops have been
released into the environment, there was no consistent evidence
that their release had been more dangerous to the environment than
traditional plant breeding crops.
The
lady scientist stresses that "genetic transformation is a
potent tool whose efficiency cannot be annulled by the possible
risk of gene flow. " Hence, the need for conservation of the
environment which also applies to traditional agricultural practices. "Knowledge
acquired in recent decades has to be applied to both transgenic
and traditional breeding to contribute to the increase in food
supply, but must take into account the need to preserve the environment," Messenquer
concludes.
Messequer's
article "Gene flow assessment in transgenic plants" appears
in Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture (73: 201-212, 2003). Email
the author at joaquima.messeguer@irta.es
AGRI-BIOTECH AND SUSTAINABLE
AGRICULTURE
Sustainable
agriculture represents a fundamentally different approach to growing
crops and raising livestock and poultry than the (conventional)
approach to farming that is now incorporating genetic engineering
into its practices. So says Thomas Lyson of Cornell University,
Ithaca.
Agricultural
biotechnologies, he explains, are anchored to a scientific paradigm
rooted in experimental biology. On the other hand, sustainable
agriculture rests on a biological (ecological) paradigm. He clarifies
that both biotechnology and sustainable agriculture are associated
with particular social science paradigms, while sustainability
is framed by an merging community-centered, problem-solving perspective.
Given these differences, "we will see the development of two
rather distinct systems of food production."
While
acknowledging that bio-based industries and services promise to
be powerful engines of the economy, he challenges developing countries
to be aware of the changes that accompany the introduction of these
activities in their countries. Of particular concern is the need
to accommodate not only the environmental but also the community
dimensions that are embodied in sustainable agriculture.
Lyson
presents these points in a paper "Advanced agricultural biotechnologies
and sustainable agriculture" published in Trends in Biotechnology
(Vol. 20, No. 5, 2002).
Visit http://tibtech.trends.com for
more information.
GM (LOW LIGNIN) TREES
Developing
fast-growing, low-lignin trees through genetic engineering may
yet be the solution to expensive, energy-intensive process of turning
wood into paper.
Pulp and paper industries are spending more than $6 billion a year to separate
wood cellulose from lignin. Hence wood with less lignin and more cellulose
would be a boon to the paper industry.
Researchers
led by Dr. Vincent Chiang at North Carolina State University (NCSU)
might yet make this possible. By genetically modifying aspen trees
the team has reduced the trees' lignin content by 45 to 50 percent.
Their research showed not only a decrease in lignin but also an
increase in cellulose in the transgenic aspens. An added bonus
was that their work showed that the trees grow faster.
The
ability to produce high-yield plantations with these desirable
characteristics will enable growers to "produce wood more
efficiently on less land, allowing natural forests to be managed
less intensively for habitat conservation, aesthetics and recreational
uses."
The
research is described in the paper "Combinatorial modification
of multiple lignin traits in trees through multigene co-transformation",
published online by Proceedings of the National Academy of Science
on March 31.
An article
by the NCSU is also available at http://www.ncsu.edu/news/press_releases/03_04/99.htm
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
NEW BOOKLET
ON GM FOOD
The
Food Standards Agency (FSA) in the United Kingdom just released
its new booklet on GM food entitled "GM food - opening up
the debate." The 20-page publication provides basic information
on genetic modification; food assessment methods; labeling; and
sale, growth, and consumption of biotech crops. Download a copy
of this booklet at http://www.food.gov.uk/multimedia/pdfs/
gmbooklet.pdf.
DIPLOMA IN BIOSAFETY
The
United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), and
the University of Concepcion in Chile announces its diploma course
in Biosafety. This course is an international academically accredited
course, and is based on distance-learning techniques. For more
details, view the website at http://binas.unido.org/UDEC_biosafety | 
