The Plant World and Genetic Engineering Part III Public Issues Jana Klose, Greg Lampard UBC Biotechnology Laboratory

Whoa! Who is Keeping us Safe? CanadaCanada –Health Canada Human SafetyHuman Safety Stringent evaluation of safety of GM foodsStringent evaluation of safety of GM foods –How was the product made? –Is the GM product different from the non-modified product (Composition and Nutritional value)? –Is there potential for toxicity of allergic reactions?

Safety Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) –Regulation of the non-human effects –Stringent Safety testing Environmental impact – field trialsEnvironmental impact – field trials Impact on Livestock – feeding trialsImpact on Livestock – feeding trials –Registration of all crop products under the Seeds Act

Food Safety GM products must meet ALL standardsGM products must meet ALL standards Additional testing can be requested at any time – before or after approvalAdditional testing can be requested at any time – before or after approval

What about allergic reactions? All new food products (GM and non-GM) must undergo strict testingAll new food products (GM and non-GM) must undergo strict testing Testing includes:Testing includes: –Potential for an allergic response –Comparison of the food versus all known allergens

What about allergic reactions? Many people have food allergiesMany people have food allergies The brazil nut example:The brazil nut example: –A transgenic soybean with an inserted gene from Brazil nuts was created –It was later found that this gene encoded a major allergen –As a result of this assessment, commercial interest in this transgenic soybean variety was abandoned –Steve L. Taylor Department of Food Science & Technology, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE , USA

Are GM Foods Labeled? Policy is controlled by Health Canada and the CFIAPolicy is controlled by Health Canada and the CFIA Currently approximately 70% of foodstuffs in North America contain components derived from GM cropsCurrently approximately 70% of foodstuffs in North America contain components derived from GM crops Voluntary labellingVoluntary labelling Labeled can of tomatoes in Britain Source: Nature, April 22, 1999

Public Acceptance What is it?What is it? What do I get out of it?What do I get out of it? Is it safe?Is it safe? Do I have choice?Do I have choice? Is it natural?Is it natural?

Public Acceptance What is it?What is it? –Producers and consumers must come together to educate each other on what the technology is and also what consumers want –Producers have not done a good job –Consumers must decide!

Public Acceptance What do I get?What do I get? –Much of the current products directly benefit farmers –What would the reaction be if a non-allergenic peanut or edible vaccine was produced? –Perhaps resources should be devoted to “useful” products

Public Acceptance Is it safe?Is it safe? –Safety testing is stringent, but short term only –Results made public? –Labeling Do I have a choice?Do I have a choice? –Labeling products would give consumers the choice to use or not to use

Public Acceptance Is it natural?Is it natural? –Genetic modification of plants is a natural process – Recall the Agrobacterium example from lecture 1

Summary Transgenic plants have potential to impact many areas, including our food supply and our healthcare systemTransgenic plants have potential to impact many areas, including our food supply and our healthcare system There is no doubt that the technology worksThere is no doubt that the technology works It is essential that proper testing of all products be carried out prior to commercializationIt is essential that proper testing of all products be carried out prior to commercialization

Summary Labeling products would allow consumers to choose what they want to consumeLabeling products would allow consumers to choose what they want to consume Educate yourself!Educate yourself!