OPINION PIECE Counterproductive consequences of ‘anti-GMO’ activism

Tagliabue, Giovanni

doi:10.3354/esep00185

Cited by 4 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 38 publications

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“…Primarily, they are expressed as recombinant antifungal proteins/peptides in transgenic plants to confer increased resistance to fungal pathogens (Iqbal et al 2019). However, different international regulations for genetically modified (GM) plant breeding (Eriksson 2019) and the spread of anti-GM sentiment among the public worldwide (Tagliabue 2018) limit the application of these cultivars. The direct environmental application of antifungal proteins and peptides as topical biofungicides in plant protection has several limitations, such as a narrow antifungal spectrum, potential toxic effects on humans and animals and molecular structures that are easily degradable by extracellular proteases (Jung and Kang 2014).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The combination of Neosartorya (Aspergillus) fischeri antifungal proteins with rationally designed γ-core peptide derivatives is effective for plant and crop protection

et al. 2022

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Plant pathogenic fungi are responsible for enormous crop losses worldwide. Overcoming this problem is challenging as these fungi can be highly resistant to approved chemical fungicides. There is thus a need to develop and introduce fundamentally new plant and crop protection strategies for sustainable agricultural production. Highly stable extracellular antifungal proteins (AFPs) and their rationally designed peptide derivatives (PDs) constitute feasible options to meet this challenge. In the present study, their potential for topical application to protect plants and crops as combinatorial biofungicides is supported by the investigation of two Neosartorya (Aspergillus) fischeri AFPs (NFAP and NFAP2) and their γ-core PDs. Previously, the biofungicidal potential of NFAP, its rationally designed γ-core PD (γNFAP-opt), and NFAP2 was reported. Susceptibility tests in the present study extended the in vitro antifungal spectrum of NFAP2 and its γ-core PD (γNFAP2-opt) to Botrytis, Cladosporium, and Fusarium spp. Besides, in vitro additive or indifferent interactions, and synergism were observed when NFAP or NFAP2 was applied in combination with γNFAP-opt. Except for γNFAP2-opt, the investigated proteins and peptides did not show any toxicity to tomato plant leaves. The application of NFAP in combination with γNFAP-opt effectively inhibited conidial germination, biofilm formation, and hyphal extension of the necrotrophic mold Botrytis cinerea on tomato plant leaves. However, the same combination only partially impeded the B. cinerea-mediated decay of tomato fruits, but mitigated the symptoms. Our results highlight the feasibility of using the combination of AFP and PD as biofungicide for the fungal infection control in plants and crops.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The combination of Neosartorya (Aspergillus) fischeri antifungal proteins with rationally designed γ-core peptide derivatives is effective for plant and crop protection

et al. 2022

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“…The analysis details the major events between 1990–2010 (timelines 1990–1999 and 1999–2010; Figure 2a and 2b ) which are considered to have shaped and been part of the anti-GMO narrative. 16 , 21 , 23 , 29–31 A third timeline ( Figure 2c ) covers the major events (2011–2022) culmination in the fully compliant NBFDS.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Despite this consensus on safety and that GMOs undergo stringent regulatory approvals and safety testing all over the world, there continues to be social and political controversy and misinformation about the safety of food derived from genetically engineered crops. 16–23 GMO is employed as a “dubious meme” used as a target for determined opposition by many activist groups 23 and used in efforts to purposely sow dissenting positions concerning [GM] crops in the United States. 16 …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring the GMO narrative through labeling: strategies, products, and politics

Ryan,

Henggeler,

Gilbert

et al. 2024

GM Crops & Food

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Labels are influential signals in the marketplace intended to inform and to eliminate buyer confusion. Despite this, food labels continue to be the subject of debate. None more so than non-GMO (genetically modified organisms) labels. This manuscript provides a timeline of the evolution of GMO labels beginning with the early history of the anti-GMO movement to the current National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard in the United States. Using media and market intelligence data collected through Buzzsumo™ and Mintel™, public discourse of GMOs is analyzed in relation to sociopolitical events and the number of new food products with anti-GMO labels, respectively. Policy document and publication data is collected with Overton™ to illustrate the policy landscape for the GMO topic and how it has changed over time. Analysis of the collective data illustrates that while social media and policy engagement around the topic of GMOs has diminished over time, the number of new products with a GMO-free designation continues to grow. While discourse peaked at one point, and has since declined, our results suggest that the legacy of an anti-GMO narrative remains firmly embedded in the social psyche, evidenced by the continuing rise of products with GMO-free designation. Campaigns for GMO food labels to satisfy consumers’ right to know were successful and the perceived need for this information now appears to be self-sustaining.

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“…On the other hand, the improvement of GE plant resistance to abiotic stresses such as salinity, drought, or temperature allows potato cultivation in less fertile agricultural lands ( Hameed et al, 2018 ). Nevertheless, looking closely at the history of approved GE potato it can be noticed that producers may be reluctant to incorporate improved GE varieties because the industry fears mixing them with conventional ones and thus losing markets ( Grafius and Douches, 2008 ; Haverkort et al, 2016 ; Tagliabue, 2018 ). This industry decision responds to a pre-judgment of consumers reactions, or to avoid negative publicity of their products.…”

Section: Genome Editing In Potatomentioning

confidence: 99%

State of the Art of Genetic Engineering in Potato: From the First Report to Its Future Potential

et al. 2022

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Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is a crop of world importance that produces tubers of high nutritional quality. It is considered one of the promising crops to overcome the challenges of poverty and hunger worldwide. However, it is exposed to different biotic and abiotic stresses that can cause significant losses in production. Thus, potato is a candidate of special relevance for improvements through conventional breeding and biotechnology. Since conventional breeding is time-consuming and challenging, genetic engineering provides the opportunity to introduce/switch-off genes of interest without altering the allelic combination that characterize successful commercial cultivars or to induce targeted sequence modifications by New Breeding Techniques. There is a variety of methods for potato improvement via genetic transformation. Most of them incorporate genes of interest into the nuclear genome; nevertheless, the development of plastid transformation protocols broadened the available approaches for potato breeding. Although all methods have their advantages and disadvantages, Agrobacterium-mediated transformation is the most used approach. Alternative methods such as particle bombardment, protoplast transfection with polyethylene glycol and microinjection are also effective. Independently of the DNA delivery approach, critical steps for a successful transformation are a rapid and efficient regeneration protocol and a selection system. Several critical factors affect the transformation efficiency: vector type, insert size, Agrobacterium strain, explant type, composition of the subculture media, selective agent, among others. Moreover, transient or stable transformation, constitutive or inducible promoters, antibiotic/herbicide resistance or marker-free strategies can be considered. Although great efforts have been made to optimize all the parameters, potato transformation protocols are highly genotype-dependent. Genome editing technologies provide promising tools in genetic engineering allowing precise modification of targeted sequences. Interestingly, transient expression of genome editing components in potato protoplasts was reported to generate edited plants without the integration of any foreign DNA, which is a valuable aspect from both a scientific and a regulatory perspective. In this review, current challenges and opportunities concerning potato genetic engineering strategies developed to date are discussed. We describe their critical parameters and constrains, and the potential application of the available tools for functional analyses or biotechnological purposes. Public concerns and safety issues are also addressed.

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OPINION PIECE Counterproductive consequences of ‘anti-GMO’ activism

Cited by 4 publications

References 38 publications

The combination of Neosartorya (Aspergillus) fischeri antifungal proteins with rationally designed γ-core peptide derivatives is effective for plant and crop protection

The combination of Neosartorya (Aspergillus) fischeri antifungal proteins with rationally designed γ-core peptide derivatives is effective for plant and crop protection

Exploring the GMO narrative through labeling: strategies, products, and politics

State of the Art of Genetic Engineering in Potato: From the First Report to Its Future Potential

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