A comparative evaluation of the regulation of GM crops or products containing dsRNA and suggested improvements to risk assessments

Heinemann, Jack A.; Agapito-Tenfen, Sarah Zanon; Carman, Judy

doi:10.1016/j.envint.2013.02.010

Cited by 66 publications

(63 citation statements)

References 68 publications

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“…Other relevant new techniques emerging within biotechnology that are worth noting here include the development of gene drives (approaches facilitating a biased inheritance of particular genes) [30,31] and epigenetic manipulation, in which gene regulation is altered through DNA methylation, or RNA interference where gene expression is silenced by destroying messenger RNA molecules [32][33][34]. Beyond the application of these new techniques in plant breeding, these tools are also now being used to manipulate other organisms in agricultural systems.…”

Section: Defining What Is Gmmentioning

confidence: 99%

Should Organic Agriculture Maintain Its Opposition to GM? New Techniques Writing the Same Old Story

2016

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Abstract:Biotechnology is diversifying rapidly through the development and application of new approaches to genome editing and ongoing research into synthetic biology. Proponents of biotechnology are enthusiastic about these new developments and have recently begun calling for environmental movements to abandon their campaigns against Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) and for organic agriculture to reconsider its exclusion of Genetic Modification (GM). In this article, we begin by describing the diversity of practices that cluster under both the terms GM and organic and show that although there is a clash of different cultures of agriculture at stake, there is also a spectrum of practices existing between these two poles. Having established the terms of the debate, we then go on to analyse whether the organic movement should reconsider its position on GM in light of new plant breeding techniques (NPBTs), using the criteria highlighted as important by the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) in their 2016 draft revised position on GMOs. Through this analysis, we suggest that given the in-context-trajectory of biotechnology development, the continued narrow framing of agricultural problems and the ongoing exclusion of important socio-economic, political and cultural dimensions, the organic movement is justified in maintaining its opposition to GM in the face of NPBTs.

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Section: Defining What Is Gmmentioning

confidence: 99%

Should Organic Agriculture Maintain Its Opposition to GM? New Techniques Writing the Same Old Story

2016

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“…Considering the existence of critical amino acids in this C-terminal domain for iron coordination, substrate binding and catalysis (Andreou and Feussner 2009), we used such 365-bp region (named as LOX RNAi sequence thereafter) to generate double-stranded RNAs for silencing wheat LOX genes. To evaluate the risk of cross-silencing the target genes in mammal species by exogenous small RNAs expressed from introduced plant RNAi construct (Heinemann et al 2013), we compared our LOX RNAi sequence with the six functional human LOX genes (Funk et al 2002). It turns out that there were no more than 11 contiguous nucleotides stretches between LOX RNAi and human LOX genes (Fig.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Grain-specific reduction in lipoxygenase activity improves flour color quality and seed longevity in common wheat

et al. 2015

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In higher plants, lipoxygenases (LOXs) catalyze the oxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids and can accumulate to relatively high levels in the seeds. However, high LOX activity has often been found associated with harmful effects on the quality attributes and the longevity of harvested seeds. Here, we report the development and characterization of three homozygous T 5 transgenic lines (designated as LOX RNAi -4, 7 and 9, respectively) with LOX activity specifically reduced in the grains of common wheat. An RNAi hairpin directed under an endosperm-specific promoter was introduced into the genome of the elite wheat variety Longchun 23 using particle bombardment. Each transgenic line (LOX RNAi -4, 7 or 9) derived from separate integration event, which carried more than 20 copies of the transgene. The three LOX RNAi lines and wild-type (WT) Longchun 23 showed a similar level of LOX transcripts in the flag leaves. However, relative to WT control, LOX RNAi -4, 7 and 9 exhibited drastic decreases in the level of LOX transcripts during grain development compared with WT control. The LOX activity levels in the harvested grains of the three transgenic lines were significantly lower than that of WT control under either normal conditions or artificial aging (AA, stored at 40°C and 85 % humidity for 6 or 9 days) treatment. The whiteness values of the flour samples from LOX RNAi -4, 7 and 9 were generally and significantly higher than those of WT control regardless of the grains were stored under normal or AA conditions. Furthermore, the germination rates of LOX RNAi -4, 7 and 9 were substantially higher than those of WT control under AA treatment. Our data demonstrate that grainspecific reduction in LOX activity by RNAi may represent a generally applicable approach for improving the quality traits and longevity of crop seeds.Keywords Lipoxygenase Á RNA interference Á Germination rate Á Whiteness Á Wheat Zhenying Dong and Bo Feng have contributed equally to this work.Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article

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“…gene-edited crops) or to produce a transgenic protein (e.g. dsRNA-based GMOs) (Heinemann et al 2013). Crops resulting from these techniques can be difficult to distinguish from conventionally bred crops or from crops produced by natural genetic variation, and their identification therefore poses a whole new level of complexity for the field in the future.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Challenges for transgene detection in landraces and wild relatives: learning from 15 years of debate over GM maize in Mexico

Agapito-Tenfen

Wickson

2017

Biodivers Conserv

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Maize is one of the world's five staple cereals and its traditional varieties constitute a global resource critical to future agricultural development. Fifteen years ago, claims that transgenes had spread into traditional landrace maize in Mexico started an international discussion on the scale and significance of transgene flow from genetically modified (GM) crops to centres of crop origin and genetic diversity. The initial discovery of transgenes in landrace maize sparked an intense environmental dispute in which the culture and traditions of indigenous people were seen as threatened by the unchecked spread of biotechnological inventions from multinational corporations. This dispute was reflected in a political and legal battle over the regulatory status of GM crops in Mexico, which continues today as approvals of GM maize for cultivation remain subject to contestation in the courts. These legal, political and environmental disputes have been fanned by the existence of a significant scientific controversy over the methods for GM detection. The use of various approaches and a lack of harmonized methods specific for monitoring and detection of transgenes in landraces has generated both positive and negative results for GM contamination in Mexico over the years. In this paper, we review the peerreviewed literature on transgene detection in Mexican maize and highlight the challenges associated with transgene detection in landraces. In doing so, we identify the key methodological aspects under dispute and pinpoint the research bottlenecks and needs for building the capacity to effectively monitor transgene escape from GM crops to wild relatives or landraces.

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A comparative evaluation of the regulation of GM crops or products containing dsRNA and suggested improvements to risk assessments

Cited by 66 publications

References 68 publications

Should Organic Agriculture Maintain Its Opposition to GM? New Techniques Writing the Same Old Story

Should Organic Agriculture Maintain Its Opposition to GM? New Techniques Writing the Same Old Story

Grain-specific reduction in lipoxygenase activity improves flour color quality and seed longevity in common wheat

Challenges for transgene detection in landraces and wild relatives: learning from 15 years of debate over GM maize in Mexico

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