Genetically Engineered Foods: Past, Present, and Future

Sacramento Sustainability ForumNovember 17, 2011

Introduction

• First GE Food: Labeled and the GE protein in it regulated as a food additive

• GE Foods in the U.S. since: not labeled, GE proteins not considered food additives and not regulated by FDA

• GE Products in the Pipeline: Labeling? Regulation? Sustainability?

World’s First Genetically Engineered Whole FoodMacGregor’sR Tomatoes Grown from Flavr SavrTM Seeds were

accompanied by tomato-shaped brochures like this one

“Grown From Genetically Modified Seeds”Right on the Sticker

Engineered for longer shelf-life and vine-lifeThe gene encoding a softening enzyme in tomato was flipped upside down and backwards and re-inserted into tomato plants, effectively

shutting down the enzyme

1-800-34TOMATO in the accompanying brochureFor consumers who wanted even more information

Use of antibiotic-resistance protein explained Gene isolated from E. coli conferred resistance to the antibiotic

kanamycin

After the Flavr SavrTM Tomato

• No other GE protein (viral, bacterial, etc.) has been regulated as a food additive by FDA

• No other GE food has been labeled in grocery stores in the U.S.

• No regulation of GE foods (with a couple of exceptions) is required by FDA

• Regulation of GE crops by USDA and EPA is only triggered by products containing a “pest” or “pesticide,” respectively

Sustainability of Current GE Crops

• Resistance to viruses (squash, papaya): reduces use of pesticides

• Resistance to insects (corn, cotton, eggplant): reduces use of pesticides but can affect non-target insects

• Tolerance of herbicides (corn, soybean): increases use of herbicides and can lead to “super weeds” but can allow low-till and no-till farming

Possible Health Issues and GE Products

• Resistance to antibiotics (Bt 10)• Inadvertent introduction of allergens

(StarLink)• Inadvertent introduction of mutations due to

fact that current GE methods are mutagenic

• Inadvertent introduction of pharmaceutical proteins into the food supply (pig vaccine)

GE Products in the Pipeline

• Drought-tolerant corn• Virus-resistant plum• Canola with healthier oil• High-lycine corn (more complete protein)• Crops resistant to additional pesticides (2,4-D,

quizalofop, cyhalofap, haloxyfop)

Feynman on Technology

The Technology of GE

• Is very powerful and not, in my opinion, just an extension of traditional breeding

• Is imprecise in some ways and scientists could be doing a better job of making that clear (see www.biotechsalon.com for one scientist’s attempt to rectify that situation)

• Can be used to solve agricultural problems sustainably, equitably, transparently, etc.

• But GE products can also be unsustainable, inequitable, unlabeled, etc.

Conclusions for the Future

• GE could be used to help solve otherwise intractable agricultural problems

• GE should not be used to produce pharmaceutical products in plants grown for food

• GE crops should be mandatorily regulated on a case-by-case basis

• All products containing GE proteins should be labeled accordingly, especially in a democratic, capitalist society like this one