FEEDSTUFF PRODUCTION BASED ON GM PLANTS - YES OR NO?

Genetski modificiranim (GM) biljkama nazivaju se one dobivene tehnikama genetskog inženjerstva. Genetsko inženjerstvo je skup biotehnoloških metoda i postupaka nastalih razvojom molekularne biologije i genetike, koji omogućuju izolaciju i prijenos (transfer) gena iz jednog organizma u drugi. Ove tehnologije otvaraju brojne mogućnosti manipulacija s genima, tj. kombiniranja i prijenosa svojstava vrlo udaljenih vrsta koje ne bi mogle nikada biti ostvarene prirodnim putom. Unazad 4-5 godina, u nekoliko zemalja (SAD, Kanada, Argentina, Kina) se enormno povećavaju površine zasijane s GM sortama kukuruza, uljane repice, krumpira, soje i drugih poljoprivrednih vrsta, jer tamo osiguravaju veće i sigurnije prinose i veću profitabilnost ratarske proizvodnje. Danas najviše genetski modificiranih sorata nosi gen koji sortu čini otpornom na određeni totalni herbicid, te je kontrola korova kod ovakvih sorti lakša, jednostavnija i jeftinija. Drugo najvažnije svojstvo današnjih GM sorti je otpornost na određenu grupu štetnika kao što su npr.pamučni i kukuruzni moljac, a rezultat je gena izoliranog i prenešenog iz bakterije Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). Ovakve "Bt" sorte osiguravaju potpunu otpornost usjeva na navedene štetnike i potpuno isključuju primjenu značajnih količina kemijskih sredstava koja se inače redovito apliciraju u tlo prilikom sjetve po klasičnoj tehnologiji. Međutim, pored pozitivnih strana koje prepoznaju i koriste farmeri, GM organizmi izazivaju strah i zabrinutost kod laika i kod znanstvenika, od mogućih nekontroliranih pojava i neželjenih posljedica po okolinu i samog čovjeka. U radu se obrađuju: principi genetskog inženjerstva, trenutne statistike o vrstama, sortama i površinama zasijanim GM biljkama za ishranu stoke, status GM biljaka u Hrvatskoj, te diskutiraju znanstveno utemeljeni razlozi Za i Protiv uzgoja GM biljaka.Genetically modified (GM) plants are those obtained through genetic engineering. Genetic engineering is array of biotechnological methods and procedures derived from recent accomplishments of molecular biology and genetics applied in isolation and transfer of genes from one organism to another. These technologies reveal possibility for number of manipulations with genes, i.e. for combining and transferring characters between very distant species what could never be accomplished by natural way. In several countries (USA, Canada, Argentina, China) during last 4-5 years the acreage\u27s under GM cultivars of maize, canola, potato, soybean, and some other cultivated species are enormously increased, because there they ensure higher and more safe yields as well as higher profit of crop production. The most of today\u27s GM cultivars have engineered gene which makes the cultivar tolerant to particular total herbicide, what makes weed control easier, more simple and cheaper. Second most engineered character in today\u27s GM cultivars is resistance to particular insects such as pink boll worm (cotton) or maize borer, and it is consequence of isolated and transferred gene from bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). These "Bt cultivars" ensure full crop resistance to above mentioned pests and completely exclude application of significant amounts of chemical means which are regularly applied in classical crop management. However, beside the positive sides of GM cultivars which are recognized and exploited by farmers, GM organisms cause fear and concern both to non-professionals and scientists, due to possible uncontrolled events and unwanted consequences for environment and mankind. In this paper we deal with principles of genetic engineering, current status (statistics) according to species, acreage\u27s, and application of GM cultivars used for feed production, as well as the status of GM plants in Croatia and discussion on scientifically based reasons For and Against cropping with GM plants

Risk Factors for Breast Cancer and Expression of Insulin-Like Growth Factor-2 (IGF-2) in Women with Breast Cancer in Wuhan City, China

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to explore the risk factors for breast cancer and establish the expression rate of IGF-2 in female patients. METHODS: A case control study with 500 people in case group and 500 people in control group. A self-administered questionnaire was used to investigate risk factors for breast cancer. All cases were interviewed during a household survey. Immune-histochemical method was used to inspect the expression of IGF-2 in different tissues (benign breast lesions, breast cancer and tumor-adjacent tissue). RESULTS: Multivariate adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated using unconditional logistic regression. High body mass index (OR = 1.012,95%CI = 1.008-1.016), working attributes (OR = 1.004, 95%CI = 1.002 = 1.006), long menstrual period (OR = 1.007, 95%CI = 1.005-1.009), high parity OR = 1.003, 95%CI = 1.001-1.005) , frequent artificial abortion (OR = 1.004, 95%CI = 1.001-1.005), family history of cancer (OR = 1.003, 95%CI = 1.000-1.005), period of night shift (OR = 1.003, 95%CI = 1.001-1.006), live in high risk environment (OR = 1.005, 95%CI = 1.002-1.008), and family problems (OR = 1.010, 95%CI = 1.005-1.014) were associated with increased risk for breast cancer. In this study, good sleeping status, positive coping strategies, subjective support, and utility degree of social support were associated with reduced risk for breast cancer (OR = 0.998, 0.997, 0.985, 0.998 respectively; 95%CI = 0.996-1.000, 0.994-1.000, 0.980-0.989, 0.996-1.000, respectively). In benign breast lesions, breast cancer and tumor-adjacent tissue, IGF-2 was mainly expressed in the cytoplasm, but its expression rate was different (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of breast cancer is a common result of multiple factors. IGF-2 is involved in the development of breast cancer, and its expression varies in different tissues (benign breast lesions, breast cancer and tumor-adjacent tissue)