GM CROPS GM CROPS AN UNDERSTANDING AN UNDERSTANDING ––

OPTION AND SUGGESTION OPTION AND SUGGESTION FOR CREATING FOR CREATING

PUBLIC AWARENESSPUBLIC AWARENESSbyby

Prof.S.C.MishraProf.S.C.MishraDean, Extension EducationDean, Extension Education

OUAT, Bhubaneswar OUAT, Bhubaneswar -- 751 003751 003

1.1. A growing population, Global warning and loss of A growing population, Global warning and loss of biobio--diversity have a tremendous impact on our diversity have a tremendous impact on our environmentenvironment

2.2. Global feed demand is going to be three folds by the year Global feed demand is going to be three folds by the year 2050 when the world population is expected to reach 10 2050 when the world population is expected to reach 10 billionsbillions

3.3. Feeding these people will mean massive charges in the Feeding these people will mean massive charges in the production, distribution and stability food productsproduction, distribution and stability food products

4.4. For sustainable agricultural production and to meet the For sustainable agricultural production and to meet the future needs agricultural research will have to future needs agricultural research will have to use use rapidly developing modern biorapidly developing modern bio--technologytechnology

5.5. Potential benefits which can be accrued from agricultural Potential benefits which can be accrued from agricultural biotechnology include higher yield, better quality and biotechnology include higher yield, better quality and creation of novel crop with morecreation of novel crop with more adaptive valueadaptive value

6.6. Modern biotechnological techniques have enabled Modern biotechnological techniques have enabled the introduction and expression of novel genes the introduction and expression of novel genes from different sources in to the hast plant.from different sources in to the hast plant.

7.7. As a result, plants can now be engineered to As a result, plants can now be engineered to produce significantly higher yield, better quality produce significantly higher yield, better quality as well as resistance against insects, pests as well as resistance against insects, pests and tolerance to herbicides.and tolerance to herbicides.

8.8. Transfer of a specific gene from any source by Transfer of a specific gene from any source by passing the kingdom barrier, species barrier or passing the kingdom barrier, species barrier or from synthetic DNA to a hast plant/animal/from synthetic DNA to a hast plant/animal/organism etc. through technique other than organism etc. through technique other than sexual/ sexual/ parasecxualparasecxual reproduction refers to reproduction refers to Genetic Engineering.Genetic Engineering.

9.9. The objective of such gene transfer may be to The objective of such gene transfer may be to obtain obtain

(i) (i) Multiple copies of the gene/DNA segment called Multiple copies of the gene/DNA segment called gene cloning gene cloning

(ii)(ii) Large quantities of the proteins produced by the Large quantities of the proteins produced by the cloned gene orcloned gene or

(iii)(iii) Integration of the gene into the genome of the host Integration of the gene into the genome of the host organism called gene transferorganism called gene transfer

10.10. Genetic engineering is invariably based on Genetic engineering is invariably based on recombinant DNA molecules recombinant DNA molecules –– called as called as Recombinant DNA technique.Recombinant DNA technique.

11.11. A recombinant DNA molecule is constructed by A recombinant DNA molecule is constructed by joining together two or more different DNA segment/ joining together two or more different DNA segment/ molecules. More specifically recombinant DNA is molecules. More specifically recombinant DNA is the vector into which the desired DNA segment has the vector into which the desired DNA segment has been integrated.been integrated.

The term Biotechnology was coined by The term Biotechnology was coined by HurgarianHurgarian agricultural engineer named Karl agricultural engineer named Karl ErkyErky, early in the 20, early in the 20thth century meaning century meaning ““all all such work by which products are produced such work by which products are produced from raw materials with the aid of living from raw materials with the aid of living oganismoganism””. To day bio. To day bio--technology is viewed technology is viewed as a group of useful enabling technologies as a group of useful enabling technologies with wide and diverse application in with wide and diverse application in agriculture, health care, animal/livestock, agriculture, health care, animal/livestock, industry and environment. industry and environment.

Recent development in the DNA technology has Recent development in the DNA technology has made it possible to mobilize genes of interest made it possible to mobilize genes of interest within and across the plant and animal kingdom. within and across the plant and animal kingdom. It is now possible to identify, isolate, transfer and It is now possible to identify, isolate, transfer and express genes almost at will and thus develop express genes almost at will and thus develop transgenics or genetically modified (GM) plants transgenics or genetically modified (GM) plants with novel traits.with novel traits.

2121stst century is era of biotechnology diverse century is era of biotechnology diverse application like geneapplication like gene--theraphytheraphy, genetically , genetically modified foods and crops food processing modified foods and crops food processing technology, biochips, technology, biochips, biosensoresbiosensores, synthetic , synthetic seeds, production of secondary metabolites, seeds, production of secondary metabolites, biopesticidesbiopesticides transgenic animals/plants, transgenic animals/plants, enhances of self life of biological products of enhances of self life of biological products of biomass energy will revolutionize the traditional biomass energy will revolutionize the traditional agriculture and environmental management.agriculture and environmental management.

Hence Genetic Engineering for Hence Genetic Engineering for transgenetransgene in plant forin plant for

i.i. Modifying yield potentialModifying yield potentialii.ii. Insect resistance Insect resistance iii.iii. Disease resistanceDisease resistanceiv.iv. Herbicide resistanceHerbicide resistancev.v. AbioticAbiotic stress tolerancestress tolerancevi.vi. Improved nutritional quality Improved nutritional quality vii.vii. Post harvest loss.Post harvest loss.

BioBio--technological tools have hastened the following technological tools have hastened the following agricultural activitiesagricultural activities

i.i. Wide hybridizationWide hybridizationii.ii. MicroMicro--propagation through tissue culturepropagation through tissue cultureiii.iii. CytoplasmicCytoplasmic diversificationdiversificationiv.iv. Tagging Tagging allinallin genes with molecular marketsgenes with molecular marketsv.v. SomaclonalSomaclonal variationvariationvi.vi. Development of molecular mapsDevelopment of molecular mapsvii.vii. Marker aided selectionMarker aided selectionviii.viii. QTL mappingQTL mappingix.ix. PyramidiringPyramidiring major genesmajor genesx.x. Chromosomal mapping and identification of geneChromosomal mapping and identification of gene

Genetically modified food Genetically modified food ––The food prepared from the produce of genetically The food prepared from the produce of genetically

modified crops GM food differs from the produce of the modified crops GM food differs from the produce of the conventionally developed varieties.conventionally developed varieties.GM FoodGM Food1.1. Contain protein produced by the transContain protein produced by the trans--gene e.g. cry protein in insect gene e.g. cry protein in insect

resistant varietyresistant variety

2.2. Contain enzyme produced by the antibiotic resistance geneContain enzyme produced by the antibiotic resistance gene

3.3. Contain antibiotic resistance gene Contain antibiotic resistance gene –– could lead to the flowing could lead to the flowing problem when they are consumedproblem when they are consumed

(i)(i) may cause toxicitymay cause toxicity(ii)(ii) may cause allergies may cause allergies (iii)(iii) enzyme produced by the antibioticenzyme produced by the antibiotic--gene could come allergies gene could come allergies

(iv)(iv) antibiotic resistance gene through GMantibiotic resistance gene through GM food caused by the food caused by the animals/human being may develop assistance to the antibioticanimals/human being may develop assistance to the antibiotic

The estimated global area of GM crop The estimated global area of GM crop during 2003 was 67.6 million during 2003 was 67.6 million hecthect. Covering . Covering 21 countries 7 million farmers and 6 crops 21 countries 7 million farmers and 6 crops amounting to business of 250 billion rupees amounting to business of 250 billion rupees with major crops such as with major crops such as soyabeansoyabean (61%), (61%), maize (32%), cotton (11%), canola (5%), maize (32%), cotton (11%), canola (5%), Papaya(1%)Papaya(1%)

Examples of Some GM crops :Example of GM

Institution Altered trait

Canola (Oilseed Crops)

Monsanto/ Calgene Altered oil composition high lauric acid (for expanded use of rapeseed oil in soap and food products

Corn Monsanto Resistance to corn borer (Bt)

Corn Hoechst/AgrEvo/PGS -do- Corn Novartis -do- Corn Mycogen -do- Corn Novartis/Northrup

king -do-

Corn Monsanto/DeKlab Resistance to corn borer (Bt) Corn Monsanto Resistance to herbicide glyphosate and to corn borer (Bt) Corn Monsanto/Deklab Resistance to herbicide glyphosinate Corn Hoechst/Agro Evo. -do- Corn Hoechst/Agr

Evo/PGs Male sterility/resistance to herbicide glyfosinate

Cotton Monsanto/calgene Rhone /Poulenc

Resistance to horbicide bromoxynil

Cotton Dupont Resistance to herbicide sulfonyl urea Cotton Monsanto Resistance to bollworm and budworm (Bt) Cotton Monsanto Resistance to herbicide glyphosate Cotton Monsanto/Calgene/R

hone Poulenc Resistance to herbicide bromoxynil bollworms and budworms.

What are the environmental benefits of GM crops?

One of the significant environmental benefits of CM crops is the dramatic reduction in pesticide use, with the size of the reduction varying between crops and introduced trait.

*In 2000, total global reduction in pesticide use was estimated of 22.3 million kg of formulated product as a result of using herbicide tolerant CM soybean, seed rate, cotton and corn varieties and insect protected CM cotton; the deployment of insect- resistant Bt varieties was estimated to have reduced the total world use of insecticides by 14%.

*In the USA, adoption of CM crops resulted in pesticide use reduction of 45.6 million pounds in 2001

• Use of Bt cotton in China has led to an 80% reduction in the use of foliar insecticides and an estimated 15,000 tons reduction in pesticide use

*Herbicide tolerant soybean farmers in North America are able to spray less to control weeds and use no-till or conservation-till cultivation systems

*Reduced use of pesticides can significantly decrease their effects on water quality through run-off and leaching of residues into surface and groundwater. For example, run-off water from US fields planted with Bt cotton was virtually free of Insecticides during a four-year US Department of Agriculture study

• GM crops can significantly Improve crop yields, so that more food can be grown on less land area. For example, in the US, 3.5 billion pounds of corn were gained from the 2001 harvest alone

*Bt maize adoption in Spain resulted in yield increases of 6.3% orl average, or a net increase of more than 800 kg/ha. Farmers also experienced savings on pesticide use by Euro 24 to Euro 102/ha

*Adoption of Bt corn in the Philippines led to pesticide cost reduction of as much as 56%.

Risks for agriculture• Weed or super weeds• Alternation of nutritional value• Reduction of cultivars and loss of biodiversityRisks of interaction with non-target organisms• Genetic pollution through pollen or seed dispersal• Horizontal gene transfer• Transfer of foreign gene to micro-organisms Via

DNA uptake• Generation of new line viruses by recombinationGeneral concerns• higher cost of agriculture• Loss of familiarity• Ethical issues etc.

Biosafety aspects of GMO.a) Risks to human health• Toxicity and food quality/safety• Allergies• Resistance of Pathogen/Antibiotic resistanceb) Risks for environment• Persistence of gene or transgene or transgene

products• Resistance of target organisms/susceptibility of

non-target organisms• Increased use of chemicals in agriculture• Transgene instability• Unpredictable gene expression

How are GM crops assessed for environmental safety ?

GM crops are thoroughly evaluated for environmental effects before entering the marketplace. They are assessed by many stakeholders in accordance with principles developed by environmental experts around the world. Among those who conduct risk assessment procedures are the developers of GM crops, regulatory bodies, and academic scientists.

Most countries use similar risk assessment procedures in considering the interactions between a GM crop and its environment. These include information about the role of the introduced gene, and the effect that it brings into the recipient plant. Also addressed are specific questions about unintentional effects such as:

Impact on non-target organisms in the environment ,

- whether the modified crop might persist in the environment longer than usual or invade new habitats

- likelihood and consequences of a gene being transferred unintentionally from the modified crop to other species

In addition to performing pre-commercialization tests for environmental safety, every GM crop should also be subjected to post approval monitoring by the product developer, independent researchers, and Government scientists. This helps ensure that biotech crops continue to be safe for consumers and the environment

Strategy for developing herbicide resistanceGenes that encode such target molecules that are insensitive to herbicide are used.

Target protein is over producedA pathway is introduced that detoxifies the herbicide.Example :

Transgenic petunia resistant to glyphosate were developed by transfer of a gene ecoding EPSPS (5 enol-pyruryl-Shikimate-3 phosphate-synthatase) that over produces the enzyme. This overproducing gene was isolated from plants selected for herbicide resistance.

1) Target molecules that are insensitive to herbicideExample Engyme SourceGene aro A EPSPS Salmonella typhimuriumALS (Actolactate E. colisynthatase) Mutant tobacoo or (Leucine, Arbidopsis (Tolerates

• Isoleucine, valine) sulphonyl urea herbicide)

Mechanisms of action of selected herbicides and bases of generating resistance against them in transgenics

Sl.No. Active principles of herbicide

Inhibition of Target protein

Herbicidal action

Basis of resistance

I Amino acid biosynthesis inhibitors 1. Glyphosate

(Roundup) Aromatic amino acid biosynthesis

ESPS Proved sepectrum

Over expression of EPSPS gene, aro A gene from Ecoli, Salmonella (insensitive to EPSPS)

2. Sulphonylurea and Imidazolnones

Branched chain amino acids

Acitolacetate synthase (ALS)

Selective Mutant of Als gene from tolerance

3. Phosphinothricin (Basta)

Glutamine biosynthesis

Glutamine synthese

Broadspectrum sptreptomyces

Arabidopsis bar gene from (detoxi fication)

II Photosynthesis inhibitors 4. Atrazine

(Lassso) Photosystem II

OB (32kDa ) Protein

Selective Mutant PSb A gene gluta thione- determination)

5. Bromozynil (Buctril)

Photosynthesis - Selectivw Bbxngene from Klebsislla.

Mode of actionBacterial crygene produces cry protein→ ingested by insect on feeding → - gets dissolved in alkaline juices present in midgutlumen - gut proteases process them hydrolytically to release core toxic fragments → Toxic fragments get attached to specific receptors present in the brush boarder of epithelial cells of midgut.

Other insect resistance genesSeveral insect pests are not susceptible to the currently available cry proteins. For such insects alternative insecticidal proteins areneeded.Example :

• Inhibitors of digestive enzymes• Cowpea trypsin inhibitor (CpTI)• Serine protease inhibitor (aprotinin).• Cystein protease inhibitor• Proteinase inhibitor II• Lectins

These genes have been transferred into some explants and they show resistance against Members of Lepidoptera and coleoptera.

Why Herbicide resistance• Biodegradable herbicides are desirable in

view of environmental concerns.• Some of the biodegradable herbicides are

non-selective . • This has necessitated the development of

crop plants resistant against these herbicides.

Effect of herbicide :• Affect process like photosynthesis• Affect biosynthesis of essential amino

acids and thus cause death of the target plants

GM crops with insect resistanceInsect resistant plants contain either a gene from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis or the cowpea trypsin inhibitor gene.

Examples (Cry gene of Bacillus thuringiensis)

Gene Bacterial strain Target Cry1A (a) HD 1 Lepidoptera Cry 1A (b) Berliner 1715 Lepidoptera Cry 1/B HD 2 Lepidoptera Cry 1C HD 110 Lepidoptera Cry 1D HD 68 Lepidoptera Cry 1E HD 146 Lepidoptera Cry 11A HD 263 Lepidoptera and Diptera Cry IIIA Tenebrionis Coleoptera Cry III B Tolworthi Coleoptera Cry IIIC Gallariae Coleoptera

PUBLIC AWARENESS

Awareness Camp

Preparation of IEC Material In regional language

Focus Group discussion(NGOs, Scientists & Farmers)

TrainingSeminar

&Symposium

Display of documentary films

Exposure visits

Mass Media RadioTVPrinted mediaRoad sideFolkProgramme

N.B. IEC material (Information, Education, Communication) includes booklets, leaflets, folders, charts, posters hoardings)

interaction