Genetically modified organisms: adapting regulatory frameworks for evolving genome editing technologies

Genetic modification of living organisms has been a prosperous activity for research and development of agricultural, industrial and biomedical applications. Three decades have passed since the first genetically modified products, obtained by transgenesis, become available to the market. The regulatory frameworks across the world have not been able to keep up to date with new technologies, monitoring and safety concerns. New genome editing techniques are opening new avenues to genetic modification development and uses, putting pressure on these frameworks. Here we discuss the implications of definitions of living/genetically modified organisms, the evolving genome editing tools to obtain them and how the regulatory frameworks around the world have taken these technologies into account, with a focus on agricultural crops. Finally, we expand this review beyond commercial crops to address living modified organism uses in food industry, biomedical applications and climate change-oriented solutions.

Panorama general de los organismos genéticamente modificados en Colombia y en el mundo: Capacidad nacional de detección / Overview of genetically modified organisms in Colombia and worldwide: National detection capabilities

RESUMEN Los organismos genéticamente modificados (OGM) y en particular los cultivos genéticamente modificados (GM), son el resultado de la modificación de la información genética de una especie a partir del uso de la biotecnología moderna para proporcionar nuevas características que su contraparte no modificada no posee, tales como resistencia a insectos, tolerancia a herbicidas, contenido de nutrientes entre otros. La mayor parte de estos cultivos se concentran en cuatro productos: soya (Glycine max), maíz (Zea Mays), canola (Brassica napus) y algodón (Gossypium hirsutum); y los principales productores son Estados Unidos, Brasil, Argentina, India y Canadá. Por su parte, Colombia ocupa el puesto 18 con cultivos de maíz, algodón y claveles azules. La introd uc-ción de estas especies en cualquier mercado está limitada por la legislación propia del país destino, así como por los estudios que permiten establecer su efecto sobre el medio ambiente, la salud humana y animal; en este sentido, la precisión y confianza de las técnicas analíticas empleadas en la evaluación del contenido de OGM son un elemento importante para la toma de decisiones basadas en evidencias objetivas, especialmente frente al debate en torno a su uso. Este documento presenta una revisión de las tecnologías de análisis más importantes disponibles a nivel mundial, frente a las capacidades nacionales para su detección.

ABSTRACT Genetically modified organisms (GMO) and particularly genetically modified (GM) crops are the result of modifying the genetic information of a species through the use of modern biotechnology to provide new features that are nonexistent in the unmodified counterpart, such as resistance to insects, tolerance to herbicides, and nutrient content, among others. Most of these crops are concentrated in four products: soy (Glycine max), corn (Zea Mays), canola (Brassica napus) and cotton (Gossypium hirsutum), with the United States, Brazil, Argentina, India and Canada as their main producers. Colombia, meanwhile, ranks 18th worldwide, with corn, cotton and blue carnation crops. The introduction of these species into any market is limited by the legislation of the destination country, as well as by studies that can establish the effect of the GM crop on the environment and human and animal health. For this reason, the accuracy and reliability of analytical techniques used to evaluate GMO content are important for decisionmaking based on objective evidence, especially in terms of the debate surrounding their use. Therefore, the following document presents a review of the most important GM crop analysis technologies in the world, vis a vis national detection capabilities.

Anomalias en los comienzos de la transgenesis vegetal: intereses e interpretaciones en torno a las primeras plantas transgenicas / Anomalies in the early stages of plant transgenesis: interests and interpretations surrounding the first transgenic plants

Se presentan los orígenes de la transgénesis vegetal, analizando los experimentos que llevaron a la obtención de las primeras plantas transgénicas. Aquí se entrecruzan actores, prácticas e intereses que resultan emblemáticos de la biotecnología. Se trata, además, de un caso donde se pone en juego el consenso sobre el sentido de experimentos fundamentales. Estos sucesos permiten ilustrar parte de los conflictos en los que se involucran los organismos genéticamente modificados, pues en torno a estos primeros experimentos los científicos articularán representaciones distintas sobre la transgénesis vegetal, valorando de un modo distinto las anomalías que presentaban los primeros experimentos. De este modo, se analizan los intereses e interpretaciones en torno a los primeros experimentos con plantas transgénicas.

The origins of plant transgenesis are discussed and the experiments that led to the first transgenic plants are analyzed. This process involved a series of actors, practices and interests specific to biotechnology. Consensus about the meaning of fundamental experiments was also at issue here. These events illustrate some of the conflicts related to genetically modified organisms, since scientists had different responses to plant transgenesis at the time of the first experiments, and opinions of the anomalies in those experiments varied. Thus, this article analyzes the interests and interpretations surrounding the first experiments involving transgenic plants.

Dinâmica populacional de ovos e lagartas e parasitismo de ovos de curuquerê-do-algodoeiro por Trichogramma pretiosum em cultivares convencionais e transgênica de algodoeiro / Population dynamics and track of eggs and egg parasitism of cotton leafworm byTrichogramma pretiosum cultivars in transgenic and conventional cotton

A introdução de novas cultivares de algodoeiro na região Centro-Oeste do Brasil resultou em significativo aumento de produtividade, porém a utilização de técnicas inadequadas de cultivo trouxe muitos problemas a campo, como a maior incidência de pragas, doenças e plantas infestantes. Com o objetivo de estudar a dinâmica populacional de ovos e lagartas e o parasitismo natural de ovos de curuquerê-do-algodoeiro por Trichogramma pretiosum Riley (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae), em diferentes estágios fenológicos de cultivares convencionais e transgênica (Bollgard I) de algodoeiro, foi realizado um experimento no período de dezembro de 2007 a abril de 2008 em Ipameri, Goiás, Brasil. O delineamento experimental foi o de blocos ao acaso, com cinco tratamentos e quatro repetições. Os tratamentos foram constituídos pelas cultivares de algodoeiro convencionais DeltaOPAL, FMX 966, FMX 993, FMX 910 e a transgênica NuOPAL. Alabama argillacea Hübner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) ovipositou em todas as cultivares, não se observando diferença em relação à preferência para oviposição. Em relação ao número médio de ovos de A. argillacea parasitados por T. pretiosum, também não houve diferenças entre as cultivares. Nas cultivares convencionais, lagartas pequenas, médias e grandes ocorreram a partir dos 34 dias após a emergência das plantas até o final do ciclo, enquanto na cultivar transgênica foram encontradas apenas lagartas pequenas. A cultivar NuOPAL controla lagartas de curuquerê-doalgodoeiro desde os primeiros estádios larvais, ou seja, ainda pequenas, e não interfere no parasitismo de ovos por T. pretiosum em relação as demais cultivares.

The introduction of new cotton cultivars in the Midwest region of Brazil resulted in a significant increase in productivity, but the use of inappropriate farming techniques brought many problems to field, as the higher incidence of pests, diseases and weeds. The aim of this work was to study the population dynamics of eggs and larvae of cotton leafworm and natural egg parasitism of the pest by Trichogramma pretiosum Riley (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) at different phenological stages of conventional and transgenic cultivars (Bollgard I) of cotton was carried out this experiment from December 2007 to April 2008 in Ipameri, Góias State, Brazil. The experimental design was a randomized blocks with five trataments and four replications. The treatments consisting of the conventional cotton cultivars DeltaOPAL, FMX 966, FMX 993, FMX 910 and the cultivar transgenic NuOPAL. Allabama argillacea Hübner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) oviposited on all cultivars, not presented differences in relation to oviposition preference. Compared to the average number of eggs of A. argillacea parasitized by T. pretiosum, there were no differences between cultivars. In conventional cultivars, small, medium and large larvae occurred from 34 days after plant emergence until the end of the cycle, while in the transgenic cultivar were found only small caterpillars. Cultivar NuOPAL control cotton leafworm since the first larval stage, and does not interfere in egg parasitism by T. pretiosum compared with other cultivars.

Implementation of monitoring for genetically modified rapeseed in Serbia

Genetically modified (GMO) rapeseed (Brassica napus) is not grown commercially in European Union, but several lines have been approved for production and use as food and feed. A case-specific monitoring of herbicide-tolerant rapeseed, events RT73, RF3 and T45 was established by Ministry of Agriculture of Republic of Serbia. The objectives of the present study were to introduce methods for detection of herbicide-tolerant GM oilseed rape, investigate occurrence and monitor the presence of GM rapeseed in seed and the feed products, as well as to develop a protocol for quantification. The study was based on 48 samples, rapeseed (33) and feed (15) products, imported from EU countries (Germany, Belgium, France, Czech Republic, Austria) and from domestic market. Seven positive feed samples and no positive seed samples have found. The percent of GMO in feed samples, estimated on semi-quantitative way, was below labelling threshold. Adventitious presence of GM materials in non-GM grain, derived food and feedstuffs is a concern to international grain trade and needs continuous monitoring.

Monitoring of Genetically Modified Bean Sprouts at Traditional Markets in Seoul and a Survey of Perception of Traditional Market Merchants and High School Students on Genetically Modified Organisms / 대한지역사회영양학회지

The purpose of this study is to monitor genetically modified bean sprouts at traditional markets in Seoul and to investigate perception of traditional market merchants and high school students on genetically modified organisms (GMOs). We analyzed 30 bean sprouts that were selected at 11 traditional markets in Seoul using the method of polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Also, we compared perception of GMOs between merchants (n = 30) and students (n = 126). Knowledge test about GMOs was performed by students. The result of PCR, 16.7% of bean sprouts were confirmed as GM bean sprouts (n = 5). Students had significantly more exposure to information about GMOs than merchants (p < 0.05). Major information sources about GMOs were from mass media (television, newspaper and radio). About half of subjects were not aware that they eat GMOs and GMOs are sold to consumers. Only 17.3% of subjects had constant eating intent for GMOs after perceiving foods that he/she usually eats are GMOs. 51.3% of subjects had willingness to purchase GMOs if GMOs have same quality and lower cost than natural foods. 37.2% of subjects thought that GMOs would be harmful to humans. Students had more positive perception of GMOs' side effects than merchants (p < 0.01). There was no merchant who knew labeling of GMOs. 19.1% of students knew labeling of GMOs. Students' mean percentage of correct answers of six questions about GMOs was 45.2%. Therefore, providing adequate information about GMOs is needed for consumer's choice whether to purchase GMOs or not.

Wild Rice, Hypoallergenic Rice, and GMO Rice-Immuologic Comparison / 소아알레르기및호흡기학회지

PURPOSE: Rice is the main cereal produced and consumed in large quantities in Asian countries including Korea. Several reports have suggested a role of IgE-mediated hypersensitivity in asthma and eczema associated with ingestion or inhalation of rice. In Japan, hypoallergenic rices are used as substitutes for rice in some atopic patients. We performed this study to identify major the allergens of rice and the different allergenicity in cooked rice and hypoallergenic rices. METHODS: We made crude extracts from rice of various origins: polished rice, cooked rice, hypoallergenic rice from Japan and GMO rice, and performed SDS-PAGE. Based on uni, CAP test and skin prick tests we got pooled sera, then IgE immunoblots were undertaken. We performed ELISA inhibition to rule out nonspecific binding. RESULTS: There was no difference of protein distribution between the origins of the various rices, and their "polishment". After cooking, it was difficult to see any protein distribution of rice. With the results of IgE immunoblots it was impossible to differentiate between wild and hypoallergenic rices by IgE binding itself. Even in hypoallergenic rice, there was still a binding of IgE with remaining allergen. CONCLUSION: Boiling degenerates almost all protein in rice IgE binding activities remain in hypoallergenic rice produced in Japan was no difference between wild and GMO rice in SDS-PAGE and IgE immunoblot using sensitized pooled sera. Further studies with more sensitive sera are necessary for the identification of major allergens and the development of hypoallergenic rice.

Comparison of Genetically Modified Soybean and Wild Soybean in Physicochemical Aspects / 소아알레르기및호흡기학회지

PURPOSE: The list of genetically engineered crops is growing. Traits introduced into these crops include insect protection, delayed ripening, virus resistance, modified nutritional composition, herbicide tolerance etc. Most traits introduced into crops result from the expression of new proteins. FAO/WHO organised joint expert consultations had recommended that substantial equivalence be an important component in the safety assessment of GMO plants for human consumption. As the first step to assess the allergenic potential of GMO food, the immunological and physicochemical characterization is needed. METHODS: We made crude extract from GMO soybean, wild soybean, curd and soy milk and performed SDS-PAGE. After acidification with HCl, the samples were divided to globulin and whey. To evaluate the changes of protein composition, the samples were heated or added with pepsin. PCR with primer coding 35S-promotor, NOS-terminator, and EPSPS gene were performed respectively for detection of GMO component. RESULTS: Although there was difference in protein composition in SDS-PAGE of GMO and wild soybean, the same protein bands are observed in globulin fraction after acidification. The heating made difficult to see the protein distribution exactly. After adding of pepsin the same bands-20 kD, 37 kD, and 68 kD-were preserved in GMO and wild soybeans. The 3 PCR procedures showed same results that GMO soybean and some curd included GMO component. CONCLUSION: There were no definite differences between GMO and wild soybeans in respect to immunologic and physicochemical characteristics. To assess the allergenicity of GMO food, the more researches including in vitro and in vivo immunoassay are needed.