GMOs: What’s All the GMOs: What’s All the Fuss About?Fuss About?
Alan McHughen, D.Phil., Alan McHughen, D.Phil., University of CaliforniaUniversity of California
Riverside, CA USARiverside, CA USA
[email protected]@ucr.edu
Are GM foods in Are GM foods in US supermarkets?US supermarkets?a.a. YesYesb.b. NoNo
Do ordinary Do ordinary tomatoes contain tomatoes contain
genes?genes?a.a. YesYesb.b. NoNo
Would a tomato Would a tomato with a fish gene with a fish gene taste “fishy”?taste “fishy”?
a.a. YesYesb.b. NoNo
If you ate a GM If you ate a GM fruit, might it fruit, might it alter your genes?alter your genes?a.a. YesYesb.b. NoNo
Can animal genes Can animal genes be inserted into be inserted into
a plant?a plant?a.a. YesYesb.b. NoNo
Give an example Give an example of GM food on of GM food on the marketthe market
a.a. There are noneThere are noneb.b. All foods are GMAll foods are GMc.c. TomatoTomatod.d. WheatWheate.e. SquashSquashf.f. PapayaPapaya
Have You Eaten Have You Eaten Any Food Made Any Food Made From GM Crops From GM Crops This Week?This Week?
a.a. YesYesb.b. NoNo
Should GM Foods Should GM Foods Be Labeled?Be Labeled?
a.a. YesYesb.b. NoNo
Survey results (% Survey results (% Correct)Correct)
Are GM foods in US Are GM foods in US supermarkets?supermarkets?
Do ordinary tomatoes Do ordinary tomatoes contain genes?contain genes?
Would a tomato with a Would a tomato with a fish gene taste fish gene taste “fishy”?“fishy”?
If you ate a GM fruit, If you ate a GM fruit, might it alter your might it alter your genes?genes?
Can animal genes be Can animal genes be inserted into a plant?inserted into a plant?
Give an example of GM Give an example of GM food on the marketfood on the market
48 % 48 % 404042424545303079% 79% TomatoesTomatoes
Need for public science Need for public science literacyliteracy
Public perceptions are often Public perceptions are often based on:based on: Invalid assumptionsInvalid assumptions
Failure to apply critical thinkingFailure to apply critical thinking
Lack of context (e.g. chemicals).Lack of context (e.g. chemicals).
From a billboard in Nebraska, Courtesy of Syngenta
Sprayed 32 times
Sprayed once.
Where do people get Where do people get information?information?
Common misconceptions abound… Common misconceptions abound… ““GE (rDNA) is unnatural because it GE (rDNA) is unnatural because it breaks the nature’s species barrier breaks the nature’s species barrier that precludes genes moving from one that precludes genes moving from one species to another”species to another”
““DNA is a complex protein” DNA is a complex protein” ““GMOs commercialized with 3 mos to 3 GMOs commercialized with 3 mos to 3 yrs field testing and no long-term yrs field testing and no long-term safety and environment studies.”safety and environment studies.”
What species barrier? What species barrier? Approx 38% of wheat has Approx 38% of wheat has
rye DNArye DNA
Friebe et al., Crop Science 39:1692-1696 (1999)
File to support registration of new crop variety- conventional breeding
A long history of Biotechnology fearmongering
Documented benefits of Documented benefits of biotech cropsbiotech crops
FarmersFarmers Increased yields (especially in Increased yields (especially in developing countries)developing countries)
Decreased chemical input costsDecreased chemical input costs Cleaner fields, less dockageCleaner fields, less dockage Less fuel usedLess fuel used Less tillageLess tillage Fewer adverse health effects (esp. Fewer adverse health effects (esp. China).China).
But Global ControversyBut Global Controversy Biotech crops are grown on over Biotech crops are grown on over 250 million acres in 22 countries 250 million acres in 22 countries around the world.around the world.
But many countries refuse to But many countries refuse to allow cultivation of biotech allow cultivation of biotech cropscrops
Or consumption of foods from Or consumption of foods from biotech cropsbiotech crops
Or both.Or both.
Why do farmers grow GM Why do farmers grow GM crops?crops?
Philippines (Bt corn)Philippines (Bt corn) ~30% increase in yield~30% increase in yield
South Africa (Bt cotton, Bt maize)South Africa (Bt cotton, Bt maize) ~77% higher returns (smaller farm = ~77% higher returns (smaller farm = higher benefit)higher benefit)
China (Bt cotton)China (Bt cotton) 8-10% Higher yields8-10% Higher yields Reduction in farm labor poisoningsReduction in farm labor poisonings
India (Bt cotton)India (Bt cotton) ~70% drop in pesticide exposure~70% drop in pesticide exposure Shift in pesticide way from older, mote Shift in pesticide way from older, mote toxic onestoxic ones
Increased yieldsIncreased yields
Left: GE Bt corn hybrid ‘D’; Right: regular hybrid corn ‘D’ with bacterial rot courtesy Gary Munkvold, Iowa State Univ.
GE Bt corn Hybrid ‘D’ GE Bt corn Hybrid ‘D’
Regular corn plus Regular corn plus pesticidepesticide
Regular corn, no Regular corn, no pesticidepesticide
Documented benefits of Documented benefits of biotech cropsbiotech crops
ConsumersConsumers Safer food (less mycotoxin in maize, Safer food (less mycotoxin in maize, esp Africa/Asia)esp Africa/Asia)
Safer food (greater regulatory Safer food (greater regulatory scrutiny)scrutiny)
Less pesticideLess pesticide Environmental benefits.Environmental benefits.
Documented benefits of Documented benefits of biotech cropsbiotech crops
EnvironmentEnvironment Less pesticide burdenLess pesticide burden Safer pesticidesSafer pesticides Improved soil from less tillageImproved soil from less tillage Less fuel usageLess fuel usage Increased biodiversityIncreased biodiversity Sources: NCFAP, Plant Biotechnology, June 2002; Sources: NCFAP, Plant Biotechnology, June 2002;
November 2004November 2004 Canola Council of Canada, An agronomic and economic Canola Council of Canada, An agronomic and economic
assessment of transgenic canola, 2001assessment of transgenic canola, 2001 Munkvold, G.P., Hellmich, R.L., and Rice, L.G. 1999. Munkvold, G.P., Hellmich, R.L., and Rice, L.G. 1999.
Comparison of fumonisin concentrations in kernels of Comparison of fumonisin concentrations in kernels of transgenic Bt maize hybrids and non-transgenic transgenic Bt maize hybrids and non-transgenic hybrids. Plant Dis. 83:130-138.hybrids. Plant Dis. 83:130-138.
Biotech opportunitiesBiotech opportunities Health and NutritionHealth and Nutrition
Removal of allergensRemoval of allergens Removal of anti-nutritional Removal of anti-nutritional substancessubstances
Removal of pathogens and contaminantsRemoval of pathogens and contaminants Mycotoxins in Bt cornMycotoxins in Bt corn
Signal for pathogens (with nanotech)Signal for pathogens (with nanotech) Enhance nutrient content Enhance nutrient content
““Golden rice” with Golden rice” with ββ-carotene-carotene India’s “Protato” with increased protein.India’s “Protato” with increased protein.
Biotech opportunitiesBiotech opportunities EnvironmentEnvironment
Reduced pesticide loadReduced pesticide load More food/feed on less landMore food/feed on less land Better resource efficiencyBetter resource efficiency
Water useWater use Climate change adaptations.Climate change adaptations.
Biotech opportunitiesBiotech opportunities Sustainable developmentSustainable development
Sustainability in poorer countriesSustainability in poorer countries PhilippinesPhilippines South AfricaSouth Africa
Diversification at home and abroadDiversification at home and abroad Specialty crops Specialty crops Improvement of local crops. Improvement of local crops.
Have you heard…Have you heard… GMOs are hazardous because…GMOs are hazardous because… GE breaks the “species barrier”; Nature GE breaks the “species barrier”; Nature never allows genes from one species in never allows genes from one species in anotheranother
GE involves random insertions into genomeGE involves random insertions into genome GE crops and foods are untested and GE crops and foods are untested and unregulatedunregulated
Once released, GMOs can never be recalledOnce released, GMOs can never be recalled Future “unintended consequences” and Future “unintended consequences” and hazards. hazards.
Crossing of existing approved plant varieties*
*includes all methods of breeding
Conventional pollen based crossing of closely related species
Selection from a heterogenous population
rDNA via Agrobacterium, transfer of genes from closely related species
Mutation breeding, chemical mutagenesis, ionizing radiation
Somatic hybridization
Somaclonal variation (SCV)
rDNA biolistic, transfer of genes from closely related species
rDNA biolistic, transfer of genes from distantly related species
Conventional pollen based crossing of distantly related species or embryo rescue
Selection from a homogenous population
rDNA via Agrobacterium, transfer of genes from distantly related species
Likelihood of unintended effects (arbitrary scale)Less likely More likely
NAS/IOM findingsNAS/IOM findings
There are NO documented adverse There are NO documented adverse health effects from eating GE health effects from eating GE foods.foods. Allegations of harm are unfoundedAllegations of harm are unfounded
Genetic engineering is NOT Genetic engineering is NOT inherently hazardous.inherently hazardous.
Paradigm shift: The Paradigm shift: The disconnectdisconnect
Process vs productProcess vs product Fear derived from Fear derived from processprocess Hazard comes from Hazard comes from productproduct
Absolute vs relativeAbsolute vs relative To some, GE is absolutely novel and To some, GE is absolutely novel and incomparable to previous hazards or incomparable to previous hazards or technologies.technologies.
To scientific community, GE is an To scientific community, GE is an extension of previous gene extension of previous gene manipulation technologies.manipulation technologies.
Traditional approach to Traditional approach to RiskRisk
ComponentComponent Risk Risk AssessmentAssessment
Risk Risk ManagementManagement
Risk Risk CommunicationCommunication
ResponsibiliResponsibilityty
ScientistsScientists RegulatorsRegulators No one, No one, everyone, ??everyone, ????
Who should be Who should be responsibleresponsible
for risk communication?for risk communication?a. Scientistsa. Scientistsb. Governmentb. Governmentc. Industryc. Industryd. NGOsd. NGOs
Modern approach to Risk Modern approach to Risk AssessmentAssessment
Science drivenScience driven Real riskReal risk Substantial Substantial equivalenceequivalence
ObjectiveObjective Relative Relative
““Prove it as safe Prove it as safe as…”as…”
ProductProduct
Values drivenValues driven Perceived riskPerceived risk Precautionary Precautionary PrinciplePrinciple
SubjectiveSubjective AbsoluteAbsolute
““Prove it safe.”Prove it safe.” ProcessProcess
Science vs. Non-scienceScience vs. Non-science Non-scientific approachNon-scientific approach
Starts with conclusion, searches for Starts with conclusion, searches for evidence to support it (evidence to support it (cherry pickingcherry picking))
Discredits alternative viewsDiscredits alternative views Often lacks contextOften lacks context
Scientific approach (Scientific approach (n.b. not all n.b. not all scientistsscientists)) Collects and analyses all available evidence Collects and analyses all available evidence before (perhaps) reaching conclusionbefore (perhaps) reaching conclusion
Actively seeks alternative interpretationsActively seeks alternative interpretations Is his/her own greatest criticIs his/her own greatest critic AppliesApplies Critical thinking skills. Critical thinking skills.
Consequences of poor Consequences of poor public understanding of public understanding of
sciencescience Public opinion drives policyPublic opinion drives policy Ignorance of science results in bad Ignorance of science results in bad science policyscience policy
Topical political issues demand good Topical political issues demand good science:science: Stem cell research, Nanotechnology, Stem cell research, Nanotechnology, Climate change, GM foods, Climate change, GM foods, Pharmaceuticals, Pesticides, Cell Pharmaceuticals, Pesticides, Cell phones, Biodiversity, Fuel cell phones, Biodiversity, Fuel cell technology, Biological weapons, technology, Biological weapons, Evolution in schools, etc. Evolution in schools, etc.
Examples of poor Examples of poor scientific literacyscientific literacy
World: Cartagena Protocol 9/11/2003World: Cartagena Protocol 9/11/2003 “…“…prevents or reduces the risks prevents or reduces the risks (of LMOs) (of LMOs) to biological diversity, taking to biological diversity, taking also into account risks to human also into account risks to human health .”health .”
Philippines: effect of Bt cornfieldsPhilippines: effect of Bt cornfields Zambia: GM food is ‘poison”Zambia: GM food is ‘poison” Africa (south): cure for HIV/AIDSAfrica (south): cure for HIV/AIDS Africa (north): GM foods and CIAAfrica (north): GM foods and CIA
Problem of contextProblem of context ““Fear uncouples rational and critical Fear uncouples rational and critical thinking” thinking” E.g. use of pesticides in agricultureE.g. use of pesticides in agriculture
““Natural” products are invariably safe.Natural” products are invariably safe.Synthetic chemicals are invariably Synthetic chemicals are invariably hazardoushazardous
Toxicology doesn’t matter: Toxicology doesn’t matter: all all chemicals are equally hazardouschemicals are equally hazardous
Amount doesn’t matter: Amount doesn’t matter: anyany amount is too much. amount is too much.
From a billboard in Nebraska, Courtesy of Syngenta
Sprayed 32 times
Sprayed once.
Fear and loathing:Fear and loathing:the context of riskthe context of risk
Roanoke (Va) Roanoke (Va) Times (9/20/2004)Times (9/20/2004): : “Mellisa Williamson, 35… worries “Mellisa Williamson, 35… worries about the effect on her unborn about the effect on her unborn child from the sound of child from the sound of jackhammers.’ jackhammers.’
Is Ms Williamson (or other Is Ms Williamson (or other similarly concerned parents) likely similarly concerned parents) likely to feed GMO babyfood to her child?to feed GMO babyfood to her child?
Pregnant Mellisa worries Pregnant Mellisa worries about noiseabout noise
(What’s wrong with this (What’s wrong with this picture?)picture?)
Scientific fact as common Scientific fact as common currencycurrency
Science is a search for Science is a search for TRUTHTRUTH Science evaluates all available evidence Science evaluates all available evidence before (maybe) reaching a conclusionbefore (maybe) reaching a conclusion
Non-science starts with a conclusion, then Non-science starts with a conclusion, then seeks supporting evidence (and rejects seeks supporting evidence (and rejects contrary evidence)contrary evidence)
Value neutralValue neutral But access may influence valuesBut access may influence values
Facts are not subject to democracy or Facts are not subject to democracy or whim of fashion/popular opinion.whim of fashion/popular opinion. Indiana considered rounding Pi to 3.0Indiana considered rounding Pi to 3.0 Mendocino County redefined DNA as a Mendocino County redefined DNA as a protein.protein.
Science vs Nature?Science vs Nature? Science is the knowledge of NatureScience is the knowledge of Nature
Technology Technology mightmight be used to fight Nature be used to fight Nature Technology Technology mightmight be used to support Nature be used to support Nature
Human blood transfusionsHuman blood transfusions Air conditioning, irrigation, water Air conditioning, irrigation, water purification, etc.purification, etc.
Homo sapiensHomo sapiens population >6.5 billion + population >6.5 billion + Holding capacity of Earth: 3-4 billion Holding capacity of Earth: 3-4 billion humanshumans What do we do?What do we do?
Should Should science/technology be science/technology be used to fight climate used to fight climate
change?change?a.a. YesYesb.b. NoNo
Future ProspectFuture Prospect Applications of biotechnology will Applications of biotechnology will increase,increase, Especially in AgricultureEspecially in Agriculture Also in Medical, Industrial, etc.Also in Medical, Industrial, etc.
Outcome for society at largeOutcome for society at large Division between science literate and Division between science literate and illiterate?illiterate?
Informed vs ignorant?Informed vs ignorant? The ignorant still get to vote!The ignorant still get to vote!
Should people ignorant Should people ignorant of issues be allowed to of issues be allowed to
vote?vote?a. Yesa. Yes
b. Nob. No
ConclusionsConclusions Biotechnology is a tool with no greater Biotechnology is a tool with no greater potential risks than other breeding methodspotential risks than other breeding methods
But does provide much greater opportunity But does provide much greater opportunity for goodfor good
Each application of Biotechnology must be Each application of Biotechnology must be individually and properly evaluatedindividually and properly evaluated
Biotechnology may serve objectives of Biotechnology may serve objectives of environmental, agronomic, and economic environmental, agronomic, and economic sustainabilitysustainability
Biotechnology is not a panacea but also Biotechnology is not a panacea but also cannot be categorically rejected or ignored.cannot be categorically rejected or ignored.
ConclusionConclusion Scientists provide informationScientists provide information
And context (e.g., that nature also And context (e.g., that nature also transfers genes)transfers genes)
Society, not scientists, makes decisionsSociety, not scientists, makes decisions But must have accurate information But must have accurate information
Scientists have professional Scientists have professional responsibilitiesresponsibilities To conduct work in an ethically sound mannerTo conduct work in an ethically sound manner To inform, but not advocate, policy.To inform, but not advocate, policy.
