Composting rapidly degrades DNA from genetically modified plants

Organic farmers are concerned about the use of genetically modified plants (GM plants) in conventional agriculture. The concern is mainly focused on the risk of spreading of pollen or seeds from GM plans to adjacent fields. There has been less focus on the environmental impact of exposing the soil to genetically modified DNA (i.e. transgenic DNA) from GM plants residues left in the field. Yet, the new EU directive on the deliberate release into the environment of genetically modified organisms (EU, 2001) requires a "description of post-release treatment methods for the genetically modified plant material including wastes"

Introducing Genetically Modified Plants: Now or Later - An Option Value Approach

Using market data, we have estimated the quasi option value of delaying to grow genetically modified corn and soybeans in Europe. We find that the current quasi option value of growing genetically modified soybeans and corn in Europe is high. This makes it likely that for the time being the information value of waiting exceeds the market gains of growing genetically modified plants in Europe.quasi option value, value of information, genetically modified plants, Crop Production/Industries, Q29, G13, Q18,

Environmental risk assessment of genetically modified plants - concepts and controversies

Background and purpose: In Europe, the EU Directive 2001/18/EC lays out the main provisions of environmental risk assessment (ERA) of genetically modified (GM) organisms that are interpreted very differently by different stakeholders. The purpose of this paper is to: (a) describe the current implementation of ERA of GM plants in the EU and its scientific shortcomings, (b) present an improved ERA concept through the integration of a previously developed selection procedure for identification of non-target testing organisms into the ERA framework as laid out in the EU Directive 2001/18/EC and its supplement material (Commission Decision 2002/623/EC), (c) describe the activities to be carried out in each component of the ERA and (d) propose a hierarchical testing scheme. Lastly, we illustrate the outcomes for three different crop case examples. Main features: Implementation of the current ERA concept of GM crops in the EU is based on an interpretation of the EU regulations that focuses almost exclusively on the isolated bacteria-produced novel proteins with little consideration of the whole plant. Therefore, testing procedures for the effect assessment of GM plants on non-target organisms largely follow the ecotoxicological testing strategy developed for pesticides. This presumes that any potential adverse effect of the whole GM plant and the plant-produced novel compound can be extrapolated from testing of the isolated bacteriaproduced novel compound or can be detected in agronomic field trials. This has led to persisting scientific criticism. Results: Based on the EU ERA framework, we present an improved ERA concept that is system oriented with the GM plant at the centre and integrates a procedure for selection of testing organisms that do occur in the receiving environment. We also propose a hierarchical testing scheme from laboratory studies to field trials and we illustrate the outcomes for three different crop case examples. Conclusions and recommendations: Our proposed concept can alleviate a number of deficits identified in the current approach to ERA of GM plants. It allows the ERA to be tailored to the GM plant case and the receiving environment

Where Is Scientific Evidence in Support of Refuge Size Reduction for Pyramided Bt Crops?

Genetically modified plants expressing insecticidal Cry proteins originating from a soil-dwelling bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) provide a powerful tool for managing insect pests. Unfortunately, insect ability to develop resistance to insecticidal proteins potentially jeopardizes its long-term efficiency. Review of registration materials submitted by plant biotech industry to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the existing scientific literature shows that currently available evidence in support of reducing refuge for the pyramided genetically modified corn plants to 5% of the total crop area is essentially limited to predictions of a single unpublished mathematical model developed “in-house” by the industry scientists. Additional research and a more extensive (and open) scientific discussion will be of great benefit for ensuring sustainable use of this technology

GENETICALLY MODIFIED PLANTS EXPRESSING PROTEINASE INHIBITORS, SAPINA2A OR SAPIN2B, AND METHODS OF USE THEREOF FOR THE INHIBITION OF TRYPSIN-AND CHYMOTRYPSIN-LIKE ACTIVITIES

The present invention relates to proteinase inhibitor II genes, SaPIN2a and SaPIN2b, their production in transformed plants, and isolation of SaPIN2a and SaPIN2b proteins from transformed plants of the invention. The invention further relates to use in inhibiting endogenous protease activities in transformed plants. In specific embodiments, the protease activities are trypsin-like and chymotrypsin-like activities. The invention relates to a method for protection of heterologous protein production in transformed plants by the co-expression of a proteinase inhibitor gene, e.g. SaPIN2a or SaPIN2b, which encodes a proteinase inhibitor protein, or a biologically active fragment, analog, and variant thereof, that inhibits protease activities. Specifically, the present invention also provides methods of inhibiting programmed cell death, including senescence, in plants. The invention further relates to methods to enhance resistance of plants to pests or pathogens, including insects. The present invention also relates to genetically modified plants, and in particular genetically modified lettuce. The genetically modified plants have inhibited endogenous trypsin-like and chymotrypsin-like activities following transformation of the plant with a vector comprising one or more proteinase inhibitor II gene, such as SaPIN2a and/or SaPIN2b. The invention further relates to transformed plants having enhanced resistance to insects. The invention further relates to transformed plants in which PCD or senescense is inhibited by transformation of plants using vectors of the present invention.published_or_final_versio

Guidance on allergenicity assessment of genetically modified plants

This document provides supplementary guidance on specific topics for the allergenicity risk assessment of genetically modified plants. In particular, it supplements general recommendations outlined in previous EFSA GMO Panel guidelines and Implementing Regulation (EU) No 503/2013. The topics addressed are non-IgE-mediated adverse immune reactions to foods, in vitro protein digestibility tests and endogenous allergenicity. New scientific and regulatory developments regarding these three topics are described in this document. Considerations on the practical implementation of those developments in the risk assessment of genetically modified plants are discussed and recommended, where appropriate. (C) 2017 European Food Safety Authority. EFSA Journal published by John Wiley and Sons Ltd on behalf of European Food Safety Authority

Commercialization of genetically modified plants: progress towards the marketplace

Agricultural productivity increases over the last 40 years were driven by significant advances in several areas: plant breeding, farm mechanization, the use of crop chemicals, irrigation systems and modern farm management practices. Adding agricultural biotechnology to this set of tools promises unprecedented improvements not just in productivity but also food quality, even the use of plants as production facilities for chemicals and a reduction of our dependence on petroleum imports

Reviving Global Poverty Reduction: What Role for Genetically Modified Plants?

Sir John Crawford Memorial Lecture delivered by Michael Lipton of the Poverty Research Unit at the University of Sussex during CGIAR International Centers Week 1999. Lipton described the slow-down in progress against poverty in the developing world since the mid 1980s, and the changing agricultural research climate in which the private sector was preeminent and the most promising new technologies for raising yield potentials were the intellectual property of private firms. Reviewing the factors leading to the dramatic progress in poverty reduction from 1965 to 1985, Lipton discussed the central role of higher yields of food staples, which increased in ways that both increased the poor's access to those staples and created more workplaces for the poor. At the same time, a fertility transition was underway in East and Southeast Asia, and had created a 'demographic window of opportunity' during which a very high proportion of the population was of working age. Capitalizing on the fertility transition now becoming evident in parts of South Asia and Sub Saharan Africa would require increased yield potentials. Improving the presently sterile public policy dialogue about how to use privately owned genetic science technologies for this purpose was by Lipton's account an imperative of international agricultural research