What is Biotechnology? Biology 600 Biotechnology: Principles and Products Delivered Live and via Videoconference June 1-2, 2005 Title page. Phil McClean Department of Plant Science North Dakota State University

The Latest Biotech News ND GMO Planting Decisions (Winter 2005) New law enacted during 2005 legislative session Only the ND state government has the authority to ban plantings of GMO crops Response to laws passed at county level in other states EU Approving GMO-free Zones (May 2005) European Union GMO regulations permit regions to declare themselves GMO Otherwise approved GMO products can be grown 162 regions or provinces (=US states) have asked to be GMO free 4500 total government units have made the request

What is Biotechnology? How about some definitions General Definition The application of technology to improve a biological organism Detailed Definition The general definition is very broad. Many individuals prefer this definition because they can claim process such as plant breeding or mutagenesis are actually biotechnology. The detailed definition points to the fact that a foreign gene needs to be inserted for a product to be considered a biotech product. The application of the technology to modify the biological function of an organism by adding genes from another organisms

Extended shelf-life tomato What is the Result of Biotechnology? An organism showing a novel trait not normally found in the species Extended shelf-life tomato (FlavrSavr Tomato) It is important to separate the process from the product. Focus on the product, it will highlight the benefits of biotechnology. Herbicide resistant soybean (Roundup Ready Soybean)

Biotechnology Terms You Probably Heard Transgene – the foreign gene added to a species Ex. – modified EPSP synthase gene (encodes a protein that functions even when plant treated with Roundup) Transgenic – an organism containing a transgene introduced by technological (not breeding) methods Here you are pointing out the difference between the process (using a transgene) and the product (the transgenic plant). Ex. – Roundup Ready Crops

Biotechnology Develops GMOs - Genetically modified organisms GMO - an organism that expresses traits that result from the introduction of foreign DNA Also called transgenic organism GMO: notice that foreign DNA is a requirement for this definition. Plant breeding products are not GMOs, as some would like to claim.

Important Terms Breeding Beneficial gene added from the same species Gene delivered by mating within the species Source: USDA Transformation More definitions to know. Beneficial gene added from another species Gene delivered by plant genetic engineering Source: USDA

Let’s Be Up Front Breeding  Biotechnology  Breeding only exchanges genes found in the species Breeding can transfer the transgene to other breeding materials  BUT it is not the same as biotechnology Biotechnology adds traits not available in the species  Soybean does not have a gene to breakdown Roundup The gene comes from bacteria Again, here were trying to show that breeding is not biotechnology. Some would like to claim breeding is biotechnology. In that way, they can claim that we actually been using biotech products for a long time. This is a hollow argument that will backfire if pressed.

Interspecific Cross X Wheat Rye Triticale New species, but NOT biotechnology products These photos illustrate the use of plant breeding to produce a new crop of agronomic utility.

Mutagenesis: New Trait, No Foreign Gene Mutagenesis changes the sequence of a gene New, useful traits can be obtained Mutagenesis Treatment Susceptible Normal Gene ATTCGA Notice that the mutagenic treatment changed a single base in the gene sequence. This change created a resistant plant because the gene product targeted by herbicide is not affected by the herbicide. This is a change of gene in the plant; a foreign gene was NOT involved. Resistant Mutant Gene ATTGGA

BASF Clearfield Products Mutagenesis Crops Herbicide resistance imidazolinones Mutant AHAS enzyme developed by mutagenesis Crops Canola, Corn, Rice, Sunflower, Wheat In US Not considered GMOs by USDA regulators A Major marketing advantage When some stacked with GMOs, the advantage lost BASF Clearfield line is an example of products developed by mutagenesis. Some of these herbicide resistant genes have been stacked with transgenes, so those products are also considered to be transgenics or GMOs.

The Crop Biotech Market Is Dominated By Five Countriesa Top Five Countries = 96% of market 20 % increase in biotech acreage from 2003 a2004 growing season data. http://www.isaaa.org/Press_release/Briefs30-2003/press/b30_english.htm 2003 in parentheses.

Crop Biotechnology Grew Worldwide In 2004 200 million acres (20% growth) 8.3 million farmers (18% growth) 17 mega-producing countries (>120,000 acres) Up from 16 countries in 2003 US, Argentina, Canada, Brazil, China, Paraguay, India South Africa, Uruguay, Australia, Romania, Mexico, Spain, Philippines, Colombia, Honduras, Germany Germany new in 2004 This data demonstrates the worldwide growth of biotechnology crops. Historically, biotechnology is the most rapidly adopted new agricultural technology

Biotechnology Crops: Worldwide Acreage 2004 Soybean: 120.0 million acres (17% annual growth) Corn: 30.6 million acres (25% annual growth) Canola: 16.8 million acres (12 % annual growth) This is the current data from the production of biotech crops during the 2002 growing season.

Economic Effect of Bt Cotton In China $200/acre increase in income $750 million increase nationally

Benefits to Hungarian Farmers Trait Total benefit Farmer realized Industry realized Bt corn (european cornborer 3 mill 76% 24% Bt corn (Western corn rootworm) 16 mill 65% 35% Herbicide tolerant maize 14 mill 73% 27% Herbicide tolerant sugarbeet 50% From: Demont et al. 2005. Potential impact of biotechnology in eastern Europe: transgenic maize, sugar beet, and oilseed rape in Hungary.

Transgenic Crops Increasing In the USa Crop (% total acreage) Soybeanb Cornc Canolad Year US ND SD 2001 68 49 80 26 25 48 61 75 - 2002 74 50 86 32 18 65 64 2003 81 91 40 These statistics track the growth in production of major biotech crops grown in the North Dakota. Notice that South Dakota producers are adopting the technology at a greater rate. a Source: NASS Planting Reports, 2001, 2002. b2002 US acreage = 73 million; ND acreage = 2.6 million c2002 US acreage = 79 million; ND acreage = 1.2 million d2002 US acreage = 1.6 million; ND acreage = 1.3 million

Impact of Transgenics on Major Crop Production Soybean 86 56 55 Cotton 32 28 21 Canola 23 19 16 Maize 140 14 11 Ha 2004 % 2004 2003 Transgenic versions of the big four crops are grown on 30% of their acreage

Impact of Transgenics on Worldwide Crop Production Transgenic crops are grown on 5% of the 3.7 billion acres of cultivated land in the world

No Yield Drag or (Advantage) Arthur, Grandin, Northwood Roundup Ready Soybean No Yield Drag or (Advantage) North Dakota 2002 Data Locationa Arthur, Grandin, Northwood Wyndmere, Mooreton, Great Bend Soybean type Ave.Bu/A % Yield Ave. Bu/A Conventional 46.6 (27)b 91 % 45.5 (26) 100 % Roundup Ready 51.5 (78) 44.1 (80) 97 % This data demonstrates that the new Roundup Ready varieties of soybean are not exhibiting the yield drag previously observed. aData collected by Dr. Ted Helms, NDSU b# of varieties in trial in parenthesis

Roundup Ready Soybean Reduces Expensesa Soybean type Herbicide cost (per acre) Conventional $27.65 Roundup Ready $15.90 This data implies that the producer will say on the cost of herbicide by applying the Roundup Ready technology. aData provided by Dr. Duane Burgland, NDSU.

Biotech Crops Can Be Environmentally (and Yield) Friendly Table 1. Cotton yield and insecticide results from a large (157 sites) trial in India during 2001. This table is a clear demonstration of the environmental and yield value of Bt cotton. This large trial was conducted at 157 sites during 2001 in India. A Bt variety, the same variety without the Bt transgene, and a popular variety where each grown at the same locations. Yield was almost twice as high in the Bt variety than than the other two demonstrating the economic value of the technology. Furthermore, the number of sprays and the amount of insecticide introduced into the environment were significantly lower for the Bt materials. Finally, the amount of class I and class II insecticides, the most environmentally dangerous, were also reduced. These last two results demonstrate the environmental-friendly aspect of this technology. These are significant results. It should be cautioned that the same yield advantage might not be realized in a more developed production system. But, the environmental release of toxic chemicals would still be significantly lower. *Means within a row are significantly different at the 5% level From: Science (2003) 299:900

Agriculture Products On the Market Insect resistant cotton Bt toxin kills the cotton boll worm toxin gene from a bacteria Source: USDA Insect resistant corn Bt stands for Bacillus thuringiensis, a bacteria that produces a toxin that kills the insects. The gene that encodes the toxin protein was inserted into plants. Bt toxin kills the European corn borer toxin gene from a bacteria Rootworm GM approved (2/26/03) Normal Transgenic

Herbicide resistant crops current: soybean, corn, canola coming: sugarbeet, lettuce, strawberry, alfalfa, potato, wheat (on hold) resistance gene from bacteria Source: Monsanto Virus resistance There a multiple forms of herbicide resistance protect the crop against a variety of herbicides. Glyophosate and imidazolinone are the primary classes that the plants are resistant against. Virus resistance is obtained by inserting the viral coat-protein gene into the plant. When this protein is produced in the plant, the viral immune system is activated, and the plant is resistant. papaya, squash, potato resistance gene from a virus

Bacterial and Animal Biotechnology Products Biotech chymosin enzyme used to curdle milk products gene from yeast harvested from GE bacteria replaces the calf enzyme Source: Chr. Hansen bST (bovine somatotropin) These are bacterial (chymosin) and animal (bST) examples. The chymosin gene is engineered for better cheese production. The bST hormone, engineered and expressed in bacteria, increase milk production in animals. bST was the first major ag biotech product. increases milk production gene from cow protein harvested from GE bacteria replaces cow protein originally harvested from pituitary glands of slaughtered cows Source: Rent Mother Nature

Next Generation of Ag Biotech Products Golden Rice Increased Vitamin A content Transgenes from bacteria and daffidol Controversory: large amount needed to solve problem Sunflower Golden rice is enriched for vitamin A. The controversy surrounds the actual utility of the product. Some data suggest the child would have to significantly increase their rice intact of rice for vitamin deficiencies to be alleviated. Because of this knowledge the biotech industry is being accused of promoting a consumer-friendly product only for publicity purposes. The white mold disease is associated with elevated levels of oxalic acid. Resistance is provided by inserting a gene whose product breaks down oxalic acid. White mold resistance Resistance gene from wheat Source: Minnesota Microscopy Society

reduced mowing = reduced pollution Turfgrass Herbicide resistance Slower growing reduced mowing = reduced pollution Bio Steel Spider silk strongest known protein Protein expressed in goat milk Protein used to make soft-body, bullet proof vests (Nexia) Turfgrass are being targeted because of how much inputs are required for their maintenance. Spider silk protein is one of the strongest known natural products, and a natural for the development of a biologically-based product.

Field Testing Permits Tell Us What is Coming Field Trial Data: Jan 2001 – Today (n=2540) Organization # 2002-03 trials (%) Monsanto 1480 (58%) Universities 329 (13%) Scotts 84 (3%) Aventis 78 (3%) Sygenta 69 (3%) Dow 63 (2%) USDA/ARS 60 (2%) Prodigene 25 (1%) Field trial data was collected for all permits filed from Jan 1, 2001 and March 4, 2003. This data will give a good indication of the nature of the field trials that were held in 2002 and will be held in 2003. This slide and the four of the five next slides (not the immediate next on) represent an analysis of that data. Here we can see that one organization, Monsanto Corp., is the main tester of biotechnology crops. Collectively, universities also have a relatively large number of trials. The presence of Scott’s on the list suggests we should be seeing transgenic turfgrass soon. 2001-03 data; collated from: Information Systems for Biotechnology (http://www.isb.vt.edu/)

Where Are the GM Crops Tested in the US? ND #23 230 (3) IA #4 1,022 (12) CA #5 990 (12) IL #2 1,292 (16) PR #3 1,063 (13) HA #1 1,437 (17) Data: 1993-present: State rank, # trials, % total trials Information Systems for Biotechnology (http://www.isb.vt.edu/)

Corn is the Current Main Focus Crop # 2002-03 Trials (%) Corn 1424 (56%) Cotton 193 (8%) Rice 146 (6%) Wheat 141 (6%) Soybean 124 (5%) Alfalfa 121 (5%) Turfgrass 89 (4%) Corn is currently the crop that is receiving the most attention. Most of this is work by Monsanto, and part of that work involves adding the Roundup Ready technology to the crop. Wheat is starting to appear on these lists because of the work to incorporate Roundup resistance. 2001-03 data; collated from: Information Systems for Biotechnology (http://www.isb.vt.edu/)

The Traditional Traits Predominant # 2002-03 Trials (%) Insect resistance 791 (31%) Herbicide resistance 736 (29%) Plant quality 400 (16%) Pathogen resistance 171 (7%) The majority of the current field trials are focusing on traits that have been studied extensively in the past. It is apparent that a new killer application is not on the immediate horizon. 2001-03 data; collated from: Information Systems for Biotechnology (http://www.isb.vt.edu/)

But Some Novel Traits Are Being Tested # 2002-03 Trials (%) Yield 105 (4%) Amino acid content 94 (4%) Sugar content 44 (2%) Oil content 42 (2%) Researchers, though are looking at new traits. All of these are aimed at making the crop more valuable. By modifying the amino acid content of corn, by increasing its lysine concentration, the crop will be nutritious. Oil content is being modified to make it more healthy. How yield is being modified is unknown, because the transgenes involved have not been identified because it is confidential business information. 2001-03 data; collated from: Information Systems for Biotechnology (http://www.isb.vt.edu/)

What’s Coming for Wheat?? Trait % 2002-03 Wheat Trials Roundup Ready 57% Protein content 10% Yield 8% Fusarium resistance This table shows that the majority of the wheat research is focusing on Roundup resistance. For this trait, nearly all of these trials are being conducted by Monsanto. The USDA has field trials out to incorporate Fusarium resistance. This is directly addressing the scab problem of the 1990s and 2000s. 2001-03 data; collated from: Information Systems for Biotechnology (http://www.isb.vt.edu/)

Some Ag Biotech Products Are Discontinued Why??? Poor Quality FlavrSavr tomatoes (Calgene) Negative Consumer Response Tomato paste (Zeneca) Negative Corporate Response NewLeaf (Monsanto) Universal Negative Publicity StarLink corn (Aventis) FlavrSavr tomatoes were derived from a variety that was easy for introduction of foreign genes, but not particularly tasteful. In England, customers wanted labels tomato paste. The french fry industry did not want transgenic potatoes. StarLink was approved for animal but not human consumption. The corn contaminated the human corn market

Environmental Applications Indicator bacteria contamination is detected in the environment microbes sensitive to certain pollutants Bioremediation Recombinant (genetically-engineered) bacteria have been developed that help clean up contaminated sites. They can also be used to determine if a specific site is contaminated with a specific pollutant. cleanup contaminated sites uses microbes designed to degrade the pollutant

Land Mine Detection Without this effort, that is dangerous to our military, children are maimed.

Land Mine Detection How biotechnology helps Patented transgene added to plants When metal from mine is detected Plant turns from green to red Technology developed by Aresa Biodetection Mine detected

Biotechnology and Health Product Use Insulin Diabetes Interferon Cancer Interleukin Human growth hormone Dwarfism Neuroactive proteins Pain Each of these products were developed by the pharmaceutical industry using biotechnology approaches. Most of these are engineered into bacteria, and the protein product is extract in large quantities for future sale.

What is Biopharming? Biopharming Definition Growing transgenic crops that express pharmaceutical products Examples: Drugs Antibodies Proteins Biopharming is using transgenic plants to grow pharmaceutical products. These products include drugs, antibodies, and proteins.

Why use this technology? Familiar Production Systems Genes introduced into field crops (mostly corn) New productions systems not needed Producer can use traditional growing strategies Reduced End-Product Cost This technology is being used for several reasons. First, by introducing the transgene into a crop like corn, the farmer can use traditional production techniques to grow the crop. From the pharmaceutical side, the cost of producing the end product is greatly reduced compared to techniques currently in place. Animal system: $1000 - $5000 per gram protein Plant System: $1 - $10 per gram protein Source: The Roanoke Times, 2000

Edible Vaccines – A Biopharming Dream Biotech Plants Serving Human Health Needs A pathogen protein gene is cloned Gene is inserted into the DNA of plant (potato, banana, tomato) Humans eat the plant The body produces antibodies against pathogen protein Human are “immunized” against the pathogen Examples: Diarrhea Hepatitis B Measles Edible vaccines may be the most important and accepted biotech product.

Future Health-related Biotech Products Vaccines Herpes hepatitis C AIDS malaria Tooth decay The health and pharmaceutical industry uses biotech approaches for vaccine production. The normal bacteria in the mouth produces an acid that destroys enamel. The engineered version of the bacteria does not produce the acid. Children will be treated with the engineered version, which also has a gene that will destroy the other bacteria in the mouth, allowing it to become established. Streptococcus mutans, the mouth bacteria releases lactic acid that destroys enamel engineered Streptococcus mutans does not release lactic acid destroys the tooth decay strain

(Nutrigenomics: a coming Biotechnology innovation) Nutritional Genomics (Nutrigenomics: a coming Biotechnology innovation) Concepts of Nutrigenomics Certain diets can cause severe health risks in individuals Refined sugars, dairy products, fatty foods Certain diets enhance disease susceptibility in individual’s with a specific genetic makeup Diabetes, lactose intolerance, high cholesterol Diets based on an individuals genetic makeup are preferred No refined sugars, minimal dairy products or fatty foods

Nutritional Genomics (Nutrigenomics) Goal of Nurtigenomics Identify specific genetic makeups What combination of genes places a person at risk? Develop dietary recommendations What diets are best suited for certain at-risk individuals?

Top Biotechnologies In The Future Molecular Diagnostics Treatments exist, but diagnositic tools are lacking Expensive, hard to implement Cost effective diagnostic procedures needed Recombinant Vaccines Vaccines have effectively eradicated small pox, polio, etc Other diseases need to be addressed More effective and low-cost vaccines are needed Genetic engineering can solve these problems

Top Biotechnologies In The Future Vaccine and drug delivery Vaccine injections can cause serious infection New delivery forms, such as slow release drugs, are needed Bioremediation Water, air, and soil pollution is a problem Plants can breakdown much of these pollutants Plants that are safe to the environment and reduce pollutants are needed

Top Biotechnologies In The Future Nutritionally Enriched Crops Malnutrition is widespread Malnutrition is associated with many diseases Modification of staple crops necessary to solve the problem Female Controlled Protection Against STDs Incidence of sexually-transmitted disease is high Women are most affected Vaginal microbicides needed Topical application best solution

The Question for the Future: Should We Live A Biotech Free Lifestyle?? Answers depends upon your perspective on the value of the technology What will support your opinion? Economics Safety of products Needs of human