Transcript What is Agricultural Biotechnology? Some of the Issues with GM Crops

What is Agricultural
Biotechnology ?
Unmodified DNA
Promoter
Gene
Gene of
Interest
Marker
Gene
Transgenic organism
What are the Goals of Biotech?
Gene
silencing
Yield
Nutrition
Rx
Drugs
Pest
protection
Modifying
gene
expression
Industrial
products
Hardier
plants
Biotechnology In The
Marketplace

Industrial Products
– Cheese
– Wine
– Pharmaceutical
drugs

Agricultural Products
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Papaya
Tomatoes
Potatoes
Cotton
Soybeans
Canola
Corn
Squash
Adoption
of GM Crops
Soybeans – more than 74 %
 Corn – about 32 %
 Cotton – more than 71 %
 Sweet corn – less than 5 %
 Potato – dropped due to poor sales
 Why are some popular, others not ?

So, why is biotechnology
in agriculture so
controversial ?
Why are other types of
biotechnology not as
controversial ?
Biotechnology, Consumers, &
the Environment

Some oppose biotech because they
believe it poses an unacceptable
environmental risk

Others believe that it may be the
solution to some important
environmental/agricultural problems
Production Issues in Agriculture

Over use of pesticides

Fertilizers leaching into water supplies

Soil erosion

Microbial contamination and food safety

Disposal of animal waste at large facilities

Poor nutrition and unhealthy foods

Crops not adapted for diverse environments
What are the Potential
Environmental Risks ?
Herbicide resistance
Super weeds
Gene escape
Effect on non-targets
Insect resistance & refugia
‘GMO pollution’ of organic production
Biodiversity reduction
Antibiotic marker genes
What are the Potential
Environmental Benefits ?
Insect and disease control
Reduced pesticide usage
Effects on non-targets
Increased yields
Crops for marginal lands
Reduced animal waste
Reduced soil erosion
Less microbial contamination of foods
Risk Assessment
•Scientists rate nuclear power as fairly safe;
lay people are horrified by it.
• Scientists think X-rays are moderately dangerous;
lay people aren't so worried.
• Scientists rate swimming as rather hazardous;
lay people consider it rather harmless.
Risk Assessment
• Natural risks are less scary
Nuclear energy vs. radon gas
• Risks imposed on us seem worse
Nuclear energy vs. swimming
•Risks associated with complex technologies
and catastrophes are greater
Nuclear energy vs. car accidents
•Risks with an obvious benefit are less daunting
Biotechnology
Research
and
Education
Initiative
(BREI)
http://www.ca.uky.edu/BREI
Classroom Activity:
Can scientists ever prove that biotech crops
are safe?

Many people who object to biotech crops argue
that the crops should not be allowed to grow in
the environment until science proves that they
are safe. Others who support biotech crops
argue that science has proven that they are
indeed safe.

As the instructor, hold a rock three to four feet
above the floor. Ask the students what will
happen if you let go of the rock. Hopefully, they
will say that the rock will drop to the floor! Then,
ask the students to prove that the rock will fall
to the floor before you let go.
•Adapted from Dr. Robert K. D. Peterson, Montana State University
Classroom Activity:
What is a Hazard?

Ask your students what substances or activities do
not represent a hazard.

A student or two may state that drinking water
does not represent a hazard because water is not
toxic. What about brushing your teeth?

But hazard alone is not risk. Remember, risk is a
function of both hazard and exposure.
•Adapted from Dr. Robert K. D. Peterson, Montana State University
Classroom Activity:
Demonstration of Risk as a Function of
Hazard and Exposure

Fill a salt shaker with about 3 tablespoons of
table salt and place the lid on it. Relate to the
students that three tablespoons of salt when
ingested is a sufficient dose to kill a child
under about 40 pounds, and either kill an adult
or make him/her very ill.

Now ask the students what is the probability
that they will be exposed to the salt as long as
it remains in the shaker.
•Adapted from Dr. Robert K. D. Peterson, Montana State University
Classroom activity:
Field trip to local Biotech firm

Every state has firms that specialize in
biotechnology – either for medical,
pharmaceutical, industrial or agricultural
applications.

Research the industry first. Then do a site
visit.

Are there environmental risks ?
How are they managed ?
Classroom Activity:
How do we Manage Risks?

Ask each student to list several natural and manmade risks.

Then have each student identify several ways in
which we manage those risks.

Example: Solar radiation causing skin cancer.
Managed by using sun block, wearing hats and
other clothing, limiting time of exposure outdoors.

Example: Injuries caused by car accidents.
Managed by having drivers take tests to get
licenses, wearing seat belts, installing airbags.