Transcript TRANSGENIC CROPS : RISKS AND CONCERNS

TRANSGENIC CROPS:
RISKS, CONCERNS
AND BENEFITS
Sarah Ward
Colorado State University
TRANSGENIC CROPS CAN
CONTAIN GENETIC
CONSTRUCTS FROM ANY
SOURCE

Technology allows movement of genes across
species barriers
HORIZONTAL GENE
TRANSFER

Movement of inserted DNA from
transgenic crop to other species
TRANSFER OF TRANSGENE
 Crop-weed
transfer of herbicide
resistance genes
 Transfer of glyphosate resistance
 Wheat
to jointed goatgrass
 Canola to wild mustards
TRANSFER OF OTHER PARTS
OF CONSTRUCT


Transfer of antibiotic marker genes
to pathogenic bacteria
Transfer of promoter sequences
such as CMV promoter
GENETIC TRESPASS



Cross-pollination of non-transgenic
plants by pollen from GM crops
Contamination of organic and
conventional crops
Gene escape into wild plant
populations
TOXICITY OF GM FOODS TO
HUMANS

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
Known allergenicity of brazil nut
transgene in soybeans
Cry9C protein in Starlink corn?
Should foods containing GM crop
products be labelled?
Can GM and non-GM products be
kept separate?
EFFECTS ON NON-TARGET
ORGANISMS


Does pollen from Bt corn threaten
Monarch butterfly larvae?
Aphids which have fed on Bt crops
may affect ladybugs
GENETIC EROSION

Widespread planting of transgenic
crops may cause loss of other
varieties?
CORPORATE CONTROL

Will agricultural production be
controlled by a few large
corporations?
BENEFITS FOR DEVELOPING
COUNTRIES

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How can poor countries afford
transgenic technology?
Will corporations holding patents
make technology available?
Do current areas of transgenic
research and development aid
small farmers?
IS TRANSGENIC TECHNOLOGY
UNETHICAL?

Some consider altering plant
genomes to be “playing God” and
morally unacceptable
NEXT GENERATION OF
TRANSGENIC CROPS


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Plant-based vaccines
Enhanced nutritional content
Functional foods and
phytoceuticals
Plant-derived plastics and
polymers
Transgenic plants for
phytoremediation