Biotechnologies: Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resource Issues Instructors: Steve Strauss Kirstin Carroll

Apakah Bioteknologi ? Biotechnology – techniques of modern biology that employ living organisms (or part of organisms) to make or modify products, improve plants or animals, or develop microorganisms for specific uses. Early examples of biotechnology…. Plant domestication Fermentation (bread, wine, cheese) Crop domestication

Rice Tomato Pine Pembudidayaan Tanaman Maize

Brassica oleracia Wild cabbage Kale, 500 BC Ornamental kale Late 1900's Cauliflower 1400's Broccoli Italy, 1500's Cabbage, 100 AD Kohlrabi Germany, 100 AD Brussel sprouts Belgium, 1700's

Creation of crops that never existed in nature before… Wheat, Triticum aestivum Triticum urartu 2n=14 Aegilops speltoides 2n=14 Triticum turgidum 2n=28 X Triticum aestivum 2n=42 Aegilops tauschii 2n=14 X

Modern Biotechnology and GE Biotech = GE = GM = GMO = GEO This class will focus mainly on biotechnologies that include the use of modern genetic engineering (GE) techniques. GE - is the use of recombinant DNA (gene splicing) and asexual gene transfer methods to alter the structure or expression of specific genes and traits.

Isu-isu Bioteknologi A new science – genomics A new technology – gene transfer New laws have been generated – –New patent rights and market power – –Food safety regulations – –Environmental safety regulations – –Novel contaminants and liabilities Raises new ethical issues – is it OK? Obtaining global agreement on food trade and biodiversity protection rules Social controversy = misuse of science, propaganda wars, fear, stigma

Rapid Adoption of Biotechnology – fastest growing technology ever!

Adopsi Cepat Bioteknologi – –70% of all processed foods on U.S. store shelves contain some component from GM organisms – –All aspartame (a.k.a. Nutrasweet) is from GM bacteria, most rennet in cheese is too. – –Essentially all insulin is GE (and many pharmaceuticals)

Public relations campaigns against the technology…

Industry campaigns for the technology…

Half truths, distortions, make it hard to tell what is going on and who is deceiving who

How many consumers feel about food biotechnology

Is Zambia right to refuse GM food? BBC Poll Results 1 February 2003, n = 5108 In 2002, 2.5 million Zambians faced starvation. President would not allow GM food aid for US AID. He described the GM food as “poison” and refused the food due to “scientific uncertainity”. Six other African nations were facing food shortages at the time, four of them (Zimbabwe, Malawi, Mozambique and Lesotho) agreed to receive GM food aid provided that it is milled. Exports to European markets at greatest risk – not health of people.

Risks of unintended effects on food

Biotechnology and Society Any new technology takes time for acceptance. (e.g. pasteurization & microwaves) Food is an emotional and personal area. (more controversial than medicines) Limited public understanding of science and agriculture. Sensationalized media coverage raises fears and sets public agendas. Biotechnology raises complex ethical and social issues which need attention.

Scientific Questions About GE Crops Is eating food from transgenic crops a health hazard? Does pollen from transgenic crops contaminate non-transgenic crop varieties? Will herbicide-resistant GE crops create “superweeds”? Do transgenic crops reduce biodiversity? Will insect pests become resistant to Bt toxin?

Non-Scientific Questions About GE Crops 1. Why do we need GMOs? 2. Who will benefit? 3. Who decided to develop them and how? 4. Why weren’t we better informed? 5. Why aren’t we given a choice? 6. Do regulatory agencies have sufficient power? 7. Who will be accountable in cases of unforeseen harm?