genetc modified crops
TRANSCRIPT
GENETC MODIFIED CROPS:SOCIO-ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONTMENTAL
PERSPECTIVE
DEF I NAT I ON
(Genetic modification) Genetic engineering, also called genetic modification, is the human manipulation of an
organism's genetic .code to ,create An organism whose genetic characteristics have been altered by the insertion of a modified gene or a gene from another organism using
the techniques of genetic engineering.
It involves combining the specific genes important genetic traits from different organisms is called as recombinant DNA technology, so the resulting formed organism is known as being "genetically modified," "genetically engineered," or "transgenic." GM products include medicines and , foods, fibres ,vaccines, food ingredients, feeds, and fibers. History of genetic modifiacton though the formal modern scientific methods were practiced in late 80s-and 90s but the concept of selective organisms for higher procuctivity dates back to 15 th centuary
Prehistoric times 1900
Gatherers finding food from the plants they have found in nature, and farmers were planting seeds being saved from the domestication of crops. Foods were altered by usage of yeast fermentation. Few naturalists and farmers began recognizing "hybrids," plants produced by h natural breeding between the related varieties of the plants.
1900
European researches bean using famous Gregor Mendel's genetic theory of manipulation and improvement of plant species. This is beig known as the "classic selection." A given plant of one or other
variety is crossed and then with a related plant to produce desired characteristics.
Modern genetic engineering
1953
James Watson and Francis Crick publishes their discovery f the 3 –D double helix structure of DNA. This discovery in fulture will eventually be leading to the ability of the scientists in identify and "splice" genes from one kind of organism and plant into the DNA of anothers.
1973
Herbert Boyer and Stanley Cohen in this year combined their research and create the first successful recombinant DNA organism.
1980
The. Supreme Court of united states Diamond v. Chakrabarty rules that the genetically altered life forms can be patented. This decision leads the Exxon Oil Company patenting an oil-eating microorganism.
1982
In the U.S. Food and Drug Administration gives approval to the first genetically engineered drug, Genentech's Humulin, a type of human insulin produced by bacteria. This is the first consumer product developed through modern bioengineering.
1986
in Belgium The first ever field tests in genetically engineered plants tobacco is conducted.
1987
in the United States The first field tests in genetically engineered crops (tobacco and tomato) are conducted.
The tomato - developed by the John Innes Centre in Norwich - contains high
concentrations of anthocyanins, pigments found in blackberries and
cranberries
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1080695/Purple-
super-tomato-fight-cancer.html#ixzz1oLKTPhox
1992
Calgene's Favr Savr tomato, tailoured for remaining firm for the longer periods of time, is being approved for thre commercial production by the US Department of Agriculture.
1992
The FDA declared that having genetically engineered foods is "not inherently dangerous" and thus do not require any special regulations.
1994
Tobacco, becomes Europe’s first genetically engineered crops is being approved in France.
.
.
United States , company Calgene, was the company which was being allowed to
producing the tomatoes commercially in around 1990s without warnings any
or some form of distinct label for indicating the differences from the
conventional natural tomatoes. In these time a lot more ,was spent for the
tomatoes –around 2 to 5 times extra from prices compared to conventional
and natural tomatoes. taken as a whole, still consumers were in support of the
products so it was purchased.
The GM tomato
crop was created
to be resistant to
the usual rotting
and decay of a
typical,
conventional
tomato that is not
genetically
modified
Controversy
In responses, the purchasers in European continent were being plausible
distress and shortly subsequently, various food companies all inveterate their
assurance in avoiding the genetically modified foods. frequent other punter
fitness scares disparate in GM foods stirring in the next decade, consumers
suspicious of GM products strengthen. Protestors now started rallying in
opposition to mncs such as the Monsanto, hence severely averse the growig
of Genetically Modified food.
How modification works
A cell which has the specific genes to be extracted is conked out open and
extraction of strands of DNA is done . followed by the proteins known as the
restriction enzymes now are being added contravention the DNA helixes at
scrupulous points , now the shorter lengths that are known as the individual
genes are being obtained.
The required genes are now being inserted inside the plasmids which are
nothing but minute molecules inside cells of bacteria that consequently contain
DNA which are not the parts of a chromosome of cells. discovering that
movement of plasmids amid cells, carrying their DNA inside them , created a
realistic technology. Now, containing plasmids where the wanted gene is
present is position inside the cells (usually bacteria) in which the sought after
gene goes . The plasmids start adding their genetic material in the genetic code
in the bacterum. meaning that bacteriums not only poessses the sought after
gene over and above their own. This selected bacterias are now used in
relocating the new genetc code hooked on plant or animal cells. Thus this
course of action of the gene splicing leads to creation of the recombinant
DNA.
These abilities in separation out off solo genes and now studying these creates
vital branch of biological and medical research.
an additional line of attack in creation of genetically modified products by
means of the bacterias acting as factories for for introduction of genes,
generating products as enzymes employed in the production of food (eg,
chymosin in cheese preparation) and vitamins for this reason used in making
arificial foods, or hormones for making use of in medicine and animal
husbandry.
GENETIC MODIFIED AND SOCIETY
POSITIVE IMPACTS
A SOLUTION TO MALNUTRITION AND NUTRIRNT DEFICIENCY
The year is 2009 and the global population has exceeded 6.7 billion people
(and rising). Environmental degradation is occurring, along with climate
change, biodiversity loss, disease, famine, and malnutrition. A pressing
question is how can we feed 6.7 billion people nutritiously and affordably
while protecting and preserving the environment?
Gone years on research, scientists in agriculture are on the edge of
creating new strains of rices which are hyped a lot in media. This Golden
Rice , is modified genetically (GM) strain ,proviso certified to grow on
the commercial scales totally eliminates Vitamin A deficiency in global
scale
IN INDIA nationwide universities in agricultural research formally claim
completing trials in animals using this new gmo. In view of Dr PG
Chengappa the chancellor of Agricultural Sciences University of the
primary stage in trails of animals shows up a very high conformity
factor. Golden Rice allows people a benefit, attaching in preferrential
recipes-as of taste or as a matter of pocket, save for distinction that
they will at the same time be capable to swathe a number of of their
most vital dietary needs
SS
GM POTATO : A SOLUTION TO PROTEIN DEFICIENCY
A gene known AmA1 was inserted in run of the mill potatoes providing a
third more protein than standard, including sizeable quantity of the vital amino
acids methionine and lysine
. If cottonseeds become edible, it
is estimated that the protein
needs(cotton seeds contain 22
per cent high-quality protein) of
over 500 million people will be
met.
Dining out? Try
cottonseeds
Subhra Priyadarshini
Cottonseed could soon become a
source of protein-rich food for billions
in the developing world, thanks to the
work of an India-born scientist in the
US. Subhra Priyadarshini reports
SOURCE: TELEGRAPH
playing a significant element
government of india 15 year health improvement plan to
provide vaccines , better food and clean water.
ALTERNATE TRUTH
On the brink of public debate of gm in June ,in Britain, the British
Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) supposed an authorization in favour of
mercantile growing of potato genetically modified in India is expected in a
perod of six months. scientists in india are in record to pronounce protein-rich
genetically modified potato are able to fight starvation in India
On the other side of coin, gm POTATOES LACK SEVERLY IN IRON AND
CALCIUM . SO THE QUESTION IS WITHOUT ESSENTIAL MICRONUTRIENT WILL
IT NOT INCREASE ANAEMIA AND OSTOPORISS IN A COUNTRY FULL OF SUCH
CASES
But we must not forget
plants naturally manufacture thousands of chemicals enhancing
health of humans and protection against diseases. these chemicals
Conversely alters plant proteins, increasing plant toxins reducing its
phytonutrients.
isoflavones , cancer fighting, is produced less by GM soybeans. By
and large, studies have shown genetic modification leads to
unintentional alteration, in nutrients, creating, toxins, allergens and small
molecule metabolism products.
ALLERGIES http://www.raw-wisdom.com/50harmful.
losses in biodiversity in the supply of food grows correspondingly
with the augment in food allergies. Explaining it some scientists feel.
The human body is not a machine-like "something" that
can be fed assembly line, carbon copy foods. We eat for
nourishment and vitality. What is alive interacts or
changes with its environment. Unnatural sameness -
required for patenting of genetic foods - are "dead"
qualities. Frequently, foods we eat and crave are precisely
those testing positive for food allergies.
Allergic reactions are misguided defense reactions
aganist incoming parasites and in GM food cases, the body
senses an unnatural invasion. Cells in our body recognize
this lack of vitality, producing antibodies and white cells in
response. This is analogous to our brain's cells recognizing
and rejecting mechanically repeated thoughts - or thinking
"like a broken record." Intuitively our body cells and the
overall immune system seems to reject excess homogeneity.
Papaya and Corn and other GM proteins in crops reminiscent may
also be allergic . The same dilemma exist for erstwhile crops such as Bt
corn, and the substantiation shows allergic reactions skyrockets
subsequent to introduction of GM crops
What happened in the Brazil nut incident? Animal feed made from Soya or corn is routinely supplemented by sulphur-containing amino acids, because most plant proteins are low in these constituents. The value of soybeans as cattle feed could be improved if they were modified to have a higher level of sulphur-containing amino acids. Since one of the storage proteins of Brazil nuts is known to be rich in this material, the corresponding gene was transferred into Soya. The experiments were technically successful, but further laboratory studies showed that thisparticular Brazil nut protein was allergenic to human
CASE STUDTY
Source: http://www.efb-
central.org/images/uploads/allergiesGMfoods.pdf
Medicine : Genetic modified crops can substitute for low-priced and
inexpensive supply of medicines. In accordance with estimates of World
Health Organization that infants around 23+ million universally do not get hold
of basic immunisation and children around 1.7 million below five die from
vaccine preventable diseases
Pharma planta a venture which is launched about seven years before
aiming usage of GM plants in slashing the prices of drugs which are tough to
manufacture. The scientists' thus aim increasing the accessibility of these
recent medicines – which are often out of reach in the poorest countries of the
world.
Anti hiv dugs
In greenhouses Pharma-Planta , in germany, created the anti-HIV
monoclonal antibodies in the GM tobacco plants grown in the soil . 45 days,
after, they were harvested, their leaves were shredded and "highly purified
antibodies" were extracted.
UK licensing body , approved the human trial ,of Healthcare products
and Medicines and Regulatory Agency (MHRA), and is taking place in Guildford
at the clinical research centre of the University of Surrey.
If successful they can provide medicines at third of
actual cost
Diabetes
the U.S. scientists are up with arms to develop genetically modified
tobacco plants with insulin grown in it — that could be used to prevent
diabetes even before symptoms appear! It will also be able to treat the
disease in its later stages. But, it’s an excellent idea though, as tobacco
is consumed by a person at a regular basis when get narcotic to it –
thus, it can easily counter the diabetes much before its emergence
without much effort
Five-week-old diabetic mice are then administered with the freeze-
dried plant cells as a powder for eight weeks. To add to the excitement
of the scientists, the plant cell-fed diabetic mice were found to have
normal blood and urine sugar levels
Tobacco plants
anti cancer A team from the John Innes Centre, Norwich,
have created purple tomatoes by crossing genes with a
snapdragon flower. The resulting fruit is rich in an antioxidant
pigment called anthocyanin which is thought to have anti-
cancer properties. Mice with cancer, which were fed on the
fruit, lived much longer than normal mice
the purple tomatoes .
Hard fact
Studies by the biotech giant Monsanto have
shown that a kilogram of GM maize seed
contained just 0.5-1.5g of the antibody it
was trying to manufacture. But this is in raw
form. More is lost during extraction and
purification. Monsanto, which was aiming to
produce 500kg of antibodies each year,
calculated that it might take more than 200
hectares Source:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2004/jul/15/thisweekssciencequestions.gmcrops
ALTERNATE SIDE OF HEALTH
http://el.doccentre.info/eldoc1/KICS/potent-health-hazards-GE-foods.html
Rats fed Monsanto 863 Bt corn for 90 days developed multiple reactions
typically found in response to allergies, infections, toxins, diseases like cancer,
anemia and blood pressure problems. Their blood cells, livers and kidneys
showed significant changes indicative of disease.
Mice fed either GM potatoes engineered to produce Bt- toxin or natural
potatoes containing the toxin had intestinal damage. Both varieties created
abnormal and excessive cell growth in the lower intestine. The equivalent
human damage might cause incontinence or flu-like symptoms and could be
pre-cancerous
Workers in India handling Bt cotton while picking, loading, weighing and
separating the fiber from seeds developed allergies. They began with 'mild to
severe itching,' then redness and swelling, followed by skin eruptions. These
symptoms affected their skin, eyes (got red and swollen with excessive tearing)
and upper respiratory tract causing nasal discharge and sneezing. In some
cases, hospitalization was required. At one cotton gin factory, workers take
antihistamines daily
Blood tests conducted on 39 victims showed an antibody response to Bt-
toxin suggesting it was the cause. Four other villages experienced the same
problems that also resulted in several animal deaths. German farmer Gottfried
Glockner grew GM corn and fed it to his cows. Twelve subsequently died from
the Bt 176 variety, and other cows had to be destroyed due to a 'mysterious'
illness.
Milk, for example, from cows injected with Monsanto's bovine growth
hormone (rbGH), has much higher levels of the hormone IGF-1 that risks
breast, prostate, colon, lung and other cancers.
THREAT OF CORPORATE COLONISATION
Throughout the history of agriculture across the globe, farming has always
been a diversified sector of the economy. Small, self-sustaining, family farms
were the order of the day in most cultures. Even as small farms grew larger
and more specialized over time, many of them still saved seeds or purchased
them from other farmers, which kept control of farming in the hands of the
people
But the gm plants are prepared in a manner such that seed storage becomes
impossible.
Monsanto acquired more than 50 seed companies just during the time
represented by his study period, which spans the years between 1996 and
2008.thus it ensures a continual profit for these companies.
Monsanto jailed farmers for trying to store seeds.
Also agritech companies such as Monsanto, Pioneer and Syngenta
go further. For a decade their user agreements have explicitly forbidden
the use of the seeds for any independent research.
Under the threat of litigation, scientists cannot test a seed to
explore the different conditions under which it thrives or fails. They
cannot compare seeds from one company against those from another
company. And perhaps most important, they cannot examine whether
the genetically modified crops lead to unintended environmental side
effects.
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=do-seed-companies-
control-gm-crop-research
ECOLOGICAL IMPACTS
Photo remediation
Gm crops against mercury pollution
Due to heavy industrialization mercury is used in paper, chemical and
mining industries leading to huge accumulation. Plants such as poplar are
modified using mer A and mer B genes present in bacteria present in these
soils(resistant to mercury) this leads creation of poplar capable of storing
mercury reducing its concentration
Cadium pollution
Plants contains compounds called photo chelatin which have capacity to
bind with Cd. It has been shown increasing these compounds through genetic
engineering helps in storage of Cd.
is a genetically modified pcb degrading
bacteria.
Less use of insecticides and pesticides
Gm crops such bt cotton offer resistance against the sap sucking pests such as
jassids, whitefly etc . they contain genes from Bacillus thuringiensis which give it a resistance against
these pests . so farmers don’t need to use pesticides.
It is estimated on global level bt broducts in 2000 has reduced pesticide
us by 22 million kg.
Do the above statistics hold good in ground?
THE ISSUE OF BIOLOGICAL ADAPTIONS
Genetic modified crops and fields provide high uniform conditions for
the growth of diseases and pest spreading. It Is observed due to short life cycle
of pests biological resistance develops fast .
evidence of Bt-resistant western rootworm in the wild has been reported by a team of
scientists in Iowa State University 22 per cent of the farmers reported seeing any new
pests in cotton. Interestingly, among the new pests that the farmers had seen in the current
season
that they had not seen five years before, mealy bug
figures prominently (77% of the farmers) by
the approved, unapproved and desi
cultivators.
Bt RESISTANCE IN INDIA
American seed firm Monsanto disclosed that cotton pest--pink bollworm--has developed resistance to its much-touted Bt cotton variety in Gujarat.
The company has reported to the regulator, the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC), that pink bollworm has developed resistance to its genetically modified (GM) cotton variety, Bollgard I, in Amreli, Bhavnagar, Junagarh and Rajkot districts in Gujarat.
This was detected by the company during field monitoring in the 2009 cotton season
Resistance is natural and expected," Monsanto said in a statementproductivity of cotton has fallen from 560 kg lint per hectare in 2007 to 512 kg lint per hectare in 2009.
And pesticide expenditure has gone up from from Rs.597 crore in 2002 to Rs.791 crore in 2009.
source: http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/Bt+cotton+has+failed+admits+Monsanto/1/86939.html
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/agri-
biz/article2611554.ece?ref=wl_economy_art
Bt-engineered corn is among the first major commercial
successes for agricultural biotechnology. more than 7
million acres of the hybrid crop were planted by U.S.
farmers primarily to control the European corn borer.
Before the advent of Bt-corn, this pest was extremely
difficult to control because it bores into the stalk, where it
is protected from pesticides losses averaged $1.2 billion.
In contrast,Bt-corn provides essentially total season-long
control at a reasonable cost without the use of pesticides
THE INFAMOUS MEALY BUG
-
Hartej Singh, an organic farmer associated with the Kheti Virasat
Mission, grew cotton His cotton crop consisted of F-1378, an early-maturing American variety, and LD 327, a high-yielding desi (indigenous) variety resistant to Fusarium wilt. His yields were slightly lower than those of the Bt cotton in neighbouring fields.
But while the neighbouring fields were heavily infested by the
mealy bug, Singh's cotton crop was completely unaffected.
A year later, scientists at the Central Institute for Cotton
Research (CICR) in Nagpur, India,confirmed exotic origin of
the specie.
Source: http://www.i-sis.org.uk/mealybugPlaguesBtCotton.php
Impact on other species:
Crops such as bt cotton , maize have injected poison
from bacillus bacteria . although they are safe for
mammals but they have negative impacts on other
organisms such as wasps , bees and moths which are
useful for the environment
Bt-modified corn produces
ROOT OF THE
PROBLEM
Pollen from bt maize containing
crystalline endotoxin from the
bacterium genes. When this
corn pollen is dispersed by the
wind, it lands on other plants,
including milkweed, the
exclusive food of monarch
caterpillars and commonly
found around cornfieldsLike all
grasses, corn is wind-
pollinated, and the pollen can
be blown more than 60 yards
from the edge of cornfields. In
the laboratory tests, monarchs
fed milkweed leaves dusted
with so-called transformed
pollen from a Bt-corn hybrid
ate less, grew more slowly and
suffered a higher mortality
rate, the researchers report.
Nearly half of these larvae died,
while all of the monarch
caterpillars fed leaves dusted
with nontransformed corn
pollen or fed leaves without
corn pollen survived the
studyWhen the toxin binds, the
gut wall changes from a
protective layer to an open
sieve so that pathogens usually
kept within the gut and
excreted are released into the
insect's body. As a result, the
caterpillar quickly sickens and
dies
Monarch caterpillars on a milkweed leaf dusted with pollen
Economic growth vs Threat
to monarch butterfly
Issue of Vertical and horizontal gene flow:
Vertical gene transfer
This refers to the spread of genetic material through normal sexual reproduction to the same species or related species. It is possible the modified genes in a GM crop could spread via pollen to a related native species.
Horizontal gene transfer (HGT)
This refers to the movement of small fragments of DNA from one organism to another without sexual reproduction. Scientists know that, under some circumstances, the DNA from GMOs can be transferred into bacteria.
SOURCE: adl.brs.gov.au/brsShop/data/12860_gene_flow_report.pdf
The cross-fertilisation between GM
oilseed rape, a brassica, and a
distantly related plant, charlock, had
been discounted as virtually
impossible by scientists with the
environment department
But the new form of charlock was
growing among many others in a
field which had been used to grow
GM rape. When scientists treated it
with lethal herbicide it showed no ill-
effect
SOURCE:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2
005/jul/25/gm.food
Superweeds
The modified genes in a GM crop
could spread via pollen to a
related native species. A
herbicide-resistant GM plant
might be able to pass on that
characteristic to its weedy
relatives, creating weeds that
cannot be controlled by that
herbicide
A BRITISH
LESSON
Environmentalists
raised an outcry
when the British
Centre for Ecology
and Hydrology
announced the
discovery of what has
been termed a
"superweed" in July
of 2005. The single
wild mustard plant
achieved superweed
status in the minds of
some when it proved
resistant to a
powerful weed killer.
Scientists discovered
the plant in a field
that had been used in
trials of genetically-
modified (GM) oilseed
rape, a group of
plants which includes
those used to
produce canola oil.
Environmental groups
warn that this
discovery augurs
serious agricultural
and environmental
repercussions if
genetically-modified
oilseed rape were to
be grown
commercially in the
UK.
SOURCE:
http://evolution.berkele
y.edu/evolibrary/news/
051015_superweed
LOSS OF CROP BIO- DIVERSITY: GM crops envision monocultures of genetic
modified crops on large scale. This leads to growth of single genetic imprint .
This leads to extinction of some varieties and ultimate removal from
ecosystem.
ECONONMICS
GM CROPS PROMISE A NEW ERA OF REDUCED COSTS OF AGRO PRODUCE BY
REDUCING THE PRICES OF SUPLEMENTS REQUIRED IN AGRICULTURE LIKE
PESTICIDES AND INSECTICIDES . THEY ALSO CLAIM OF INCREASING THE YIELDS.
BUT THE SEEDS ARE CHARGED HIGH AS FORM OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
BUT
The three graphs put some life in bt scenario in india.
The yellow graph shows conventional crops where as the green shows gm
cotton
From graph A we see bt cotton seeds are price 3 times as high at Rs 3684 vs Rs
1163
Graph c shows the cost pesticides for bt cotton remains as high as Rs 1404 vs
Rs 1565 for normal seeds
In 2003 this trend reverses and amount spent on bt cotton exceeds than
conventional seeds
This can be explained as follows
IN 2007
However graph b destroys the claim of Monsanto of reduced costs . as seen
the reduction in costs from pesticide use is completely offset by the increase
in price of seeds and as result cost of bt produce becomes more expensive
than conventional seeds Rs 5451 vs 5337
The following table shows the plight of AP farmers and reasons for sucide
CONSEQUENTLTY THERE IS A SURGE IN FARMER SUCIDES
FARM SUCIDES IN AP INCREASED WITH INCREASEIN BT AREA