RESUMEN
Biotechnology is providing us with a wide range of options for how we can use agricultural and commercial forestry lands. The cultivation of genetically modified [GM] crops on millions of hectares of lands and their injection into our food chain is a huge global genetic experiment involving all living beings. Considering the fast pace of new advances in production of genetically modified crops, consumers, farmers and policymakers worldwide are challenged to reach a consensus on a clear vision for the future of world food supply. The current food biotechnology debate illustrates the serious conflict between two groups: 1] Agri-biotech investors and their affiliated scientists who consider agricultural biotechnology as a solution to food shortage, the scarcity of environmental resources and weeds and pests infestations; and 2] independent scientists, environmentalists, farmers and consumers who warn that genetically modified food introduces new risks to food security, the environment and human health such as loss of biodiversity; the emergence of superweeds and superpests; the increase of antibiotic resistance, food allergies and other unintended effects. This article reviews major viewpoints which are currently debated in the food biotechnology sector in the world. It also lays the groundwork for deep debate on benefits and risks of Biotech-crops for human health, ecosystems and biodiversity. In this context, although some regulations exist, there is a need for continuous vigilance for all countries involved in producing genetically engineered food to follow the international scientific biosafety testing guidelines containing reliable pre-release experiments and postrelease track of transgenic plants to protect public health and avoid future environmental harm
RESUMEN
Angiogenesis, growth of new blood vessels from pre-existing vessels, is a crucial physiological process for tissue regeneration. This state is also seen in pathological processes such as malignancies and endometriosis. Vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF] is a major mediator of angiogenesis and vascular permeability which is known to play an important role in the development of endometriosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between +405 G>C VEGF polymorphism and endometriosis in an Iranian population. The study population was comprised of 105 women with and 150 women without laparoscopic evidence of endometriosis. Genomic DNA from blood cells was extracted using salting out method. Genotype and allele frequency of +405 G>C polymorphism was compared between women with endometriosis and the controls using PCR-RFLP. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 13.0 software. Chi-squared test and odds ratio plus 95% confidence interval were determined. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. While the +405 VEGF genotype frequencies in the case group were 41.3% G/G, 46.2% C/G and%12.5 C/C, they were 32% GG,%53.3 GC and 14.7% CC in the control group. The distribution of three genotypes and allele frequencies of+405 G>C VEGF polymorphism between the case and control groups did not demonstrate any significant difference. In contrast to previous studies, no significant correlation was found between +405 G>C VEGF polymorphism and endometriosis. Since this was the first study in an Iranian population, further investigation with bigger sample sizes may be indicated to be able to generalize the findings