Genetically Modified Organism (GMO)

Current debates about genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in agriculture reveal substantial differences in perception of the associated risks and benefits. Genetically modified crop varieties promise benefits to both farmers and consumers, and can lower damage to the natural environment, for example by reducing pesticide use. But some other environmental issues, together with food safety and ethical concerns with the production and use of GMOs, are being raised as potential negative aspects of GMOs. Hence the recent Biosafety Protocol with its endorsement of the use of the precautionary principle. However, if that Protocol were to encourage discriminatory trade barriers or import bans, or even just long delays in approving the use of imported GM seeds, it may be at odds with countries' obligations under the World Trade Organization. The first part of this paper provides a brief overview of the trade policy issues at stake here. The distributional consequences of adopting GMO technology in agriculture within and between countries, and of proposed trade-related policy responses, cannot be determined a priori. Hence the need for empirical modelling of the economic effects of GMO adoption. The second part of the paper illustrates how such policy or consumer responses can alter significantly the potential size of the global GMO dividend and its distribution. This is done using a wellreceived empirical model of the global economy (GTAP) to quantify the effects on production, prices, trade patterns and national economic welfare of certain countries' farmers adopting GM maize and soybean crops without and with trade policy or consumer responses in Western Europe (where opposition to GMOs is most vocal).

The biggest producers and exporters of agricultural products have been adopting the genetic engineering in order to improve the factors productivity and the firms profits In the last decade, the United States of America (US) and the European Union (EU) have established a high divergent regulation on production, distribution and consumption of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Apparently, the EU´s complex legislative framework related to GMOs was intend to satisfy the European consumers which are concerned about food safety and whish to make more informed choice about the food they eat. The aim of this paper is to understand the potential motivations behind the different policies on GM products adopted by US and EU.

A new screening method for the detection and identification of GMO, based on the use of multiplex PCR followed by microarray, has been developed and is presented. The technology is based on the identification of quite ubiquitous GMO genetic target elements first amplified by PCR, followed by direct hybridisation of the amplicons on a predefined microarray (DualChip Ò GMO, Eppendorf, Germany). The validation was performed within the framework of a European project (Co-Extra, contract no 007158) and in collaboration with 12 laboratories specialised in GMO detection. The present study reports the strategy and the results of an ISO complying validation of the method carried out through an inter-laboratory study. Sets of blind samples were provided consisting of DNA reference materials covering all the elements detectable by specific probes present on the array. The GMO concentrations varied from 1% down to 0.045%. In addition, a mixture of two GMO events (0.1% study to test the robustness of the assay in extreme conditions. Data were processed according to ISO 5725 standard. The method was evaluated with predefined performance criteria with respect to the EC CRL method acceptance criteria. The overall method performance met the acceptance criteria; in particular, the results showed that the method is suitable for the detection of the different target elements at 0.1% concentration of GMO with a 95% accuracy rate. This collaborative trial showed that the method can be considered as fit for the purpose of screening with respect to its intra-and inter-laboratory accuracy. The results demonstrated the validity of combining multiplex PCR with array detection as provided by the DualChip Ò GMO (Eppendorf, Germany) for the screening of GMO. The results showed that the technology is robust, practical and suitable as a screening tool.

The modified population dynamics of pests targeted by the Cry1Ac toxin in Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) transgenic cotton (Bt cotton) and possible reduced insecticide use in these transgenic varieties may exert a variety of effects on ground-dwelling predator communities. A survey of ground-dwelling arthropods was carried out weekly each of 3 years (during the cropping season) in commercial Bt and non-Bt cotton fields. Sixty-five taxa of ground-dwelling arthropods (carabids, cicindelines, staphylinids, dermapterans, heteropterans and araneids) of importance for cotton pest management were recorded in the survey. Species abundance and dynamics across seasons were evaluated with univariate analysis of variance for higher taxa or multivariate principal response curve analysis for the whole community of 65 taxa. Diversity and richness indices and cumulative species curves also were calculated. The analyses demonstrated no differences in the ground-dwelling arthropod communities between cotton types. One araneid species, Pardosa pauxilla, comprised ;80% of all araneids, Labidura riparia comprised ;96% of all dermapterans, Megacephala carolina comprised ;97% of cicindelines and four carabid species (Selenophorus palliatus, Apristus latens, Harpalus gravis and Anisodactylus merula) comprised ;80% of carabid species. M. carolina outnumbered all other collected species in each of the 3 years. When only predatory carabid species were considered, A. merula, Calosoma sayi, Harpalus pennsylvanicus and Stenolophus ochropezus were predominant and numbers trapped were similar between cotton types. The abundance of dermapterans, staphylinids, araneids and heteropterans varied among sample dates and across seasons but did not differ between cotton types. The frequent capture of M. carolina, S. palliatus and P. pauxilla in all fields and seasons in both cottons suggests that these species may be important for monitoring further changes in local communities as result of agricultural practices.

When the public decides that a product or production process is socially unacceptable, the share price of the firms involved may suffer. The danger is that, out of distaste, people will refrain from buying the product or the shares. But being able to assess the degree of unacceptability can mean being better able to assess how it will affect a firm's profitability, and being better able to assess the value of a firm. Over the past twenty-five years, many psychological studies have considered predictors of unacceptability for one class of industrial activities: those perceived as producing risks to health, safety, and the environment.

In order to comply with the European Union regulatory threshold for the adventitious presence of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in food and feed, it is important to trace GMOs from the field. Appropriate sampling methods are needed to accurately predict the presence of GMOs at the field level. A 2-year field experiment with two maize varieties differing in kernel colour was conducted in Slovenia. Based on the results of data mining analyses and modelling, it was concluded that spatial relations between the donor and receptor field were the most important factors influencing the distribution of outcrossing rate (OCR) in the field. The approach for estimation fitting function parameters in the receptor (non-GM) field at two distances from the donor (GM) field (10 and 25 m) for estimation of the OCR (GMO content) in the whole receptor field was developed. Different sampling schemes were tested; a systematic random scheme in rows was proposed to be applied for sampling at the two distances for the estimation of fitting function parameters for determination of OCR. The sampling approach had already been validated with some other OCR data and was practically applied in the 2009 harvest in Poland. The developed approach can be used for determination of the GMO presence at the field level and for making appropriate labelling decisions. The importance of this approach lies in its possibility to also address other threshold levels beside the currently prescribed labelling threshold of 0.9% for food and feed.

Nucleic acids, especially DNA, are targets of qualitative and quantitative diagnostics for genetically modified organisms (GMO) in seeds, food- and feedstuff. The amplification of the nucleic acid is an essential step for further analyses of the target sequence. The PCR has been the method of choice for DNA amplification in most laboratories, and its real-time version (qPCR) also enables quantitative analysis of target contents. Despite its numerous advantages, PCR technology has some limitations such as the lack of true multiplexing properties. To alleviate the drawbacks linked to PCR technology, alternative nucleic acid amplification methods with promising characteristics are being developed fast. These methods, their advantages, and the inconveniences, which are not yet resolved are summarized in the paper. Special focus is given to the possibilities of using these alternative methods for GMO detection in future, when expansion of GMOs both in diversity and frequencies will make current GMO detection systems difficult to operate.

Modern potato breeding requires over 100,000 seedlings per new variety. Main reasons are (1) the increasing number of traits that have to be combined in this tetraploid vegetatively propagated crop, and (2) an increasing number of traits (e.g., resistance to biotic stress) originates from wild species. Pre-breeding by introgression or induced translocation is an expensive way of transferring single traits (such as R-genes, coding for resistance to biotic stress) to the cultivated plant. The most important obstacle is simultaneous transfer of undesired neighbouring alien alleles as linkage drag. Stacking several genes from different wild sources is increasing this linkage drag problem tremendously. Biotechnology has enabled transformation of alien genes into the plant. Initially, transgenes were originating mainly from microorganisms, viruses or non-crossable plant species, or they were chimeric. Moreover, selection markers coding for antibiotic resistance or herbicide resistance were needed. Transgenes are a new gene source for plant breeding and, therefore, additional regulations like the EU Directive 2001/18/EC were developed. Because of a strong opposition against genetic modification of plants in Europe, the application of this Directive is strict, very expensive, hampering the introduction of genetically modified (GM) crops and the use of this technology by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Currently, GM crops are almost the exclusive domain of multinationals. Meanwhile, not only transgenes but also natural genes from the plant species itself or from crossable plant species, called cisgenes, are available and the alien selection genes can be avoided in the end product. This opens the way for cisgenic crops without alien genes. The existing EU directive for GM organisms is not designed for this new development. The cisgenes belong to the existing breeders' gene pool. The use of this classical gene pool has been regulated already in

European consumers, in general, have negative attitudes towards the use of gene technology in food production. The objective of this study was to examine whether taste and health benefits influence the acceptability of genetically modified (gm) products when they are presented as real product alternatives. Consumers in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden (n=738) assessed two cheeses: one was labelled as genetically modified (preferred in an earlier product test) and the other as conventional (neutral in an earlier product test). A smaller control group received two cheeses with blind codes. Labelling decreased consumers' intentions to buy the originally preferred gm-labelled cheese, but still the intentions were at the same level with the conventionally labelled option. Participants chose two gm cheeses out of five possible when given the option to take cheese home after tasting. Intentions to buy gm cheese could best be explained by respondents' attitudes towards gene technology and perceived taste benefits. General health interest was also a reinforcer of intentions for gm cheese with reduced fat content. #

Modern biotechnology has led to the development and use of Living Modified Organisms (LMOs) for agriculture and other purposes. Regulators at the national level are increasingly depending on risk assessment as a tool for assessing potential adverse effects of LMOs on the environment and human health. In addition, the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, an international agreement expected to enter into force in the near future, requires risk assessment as the basis for decision-making regarding import of some LMOs. While LMO risk assessment is relatively new, there are other risk assessment disciplines which have developed over longer time periods. The field of assessment of the environmental and human health risks of chemicals is particularly well developed, and is similar in application to LMO risk assessment. This paper aims to draw lessons for LMO risk assessment from the vast experience with chemical risk assessment. Seven general principles are outlined which should serve as a use...

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The present study describes an event-speciWc quantitative Real-time PCR detection method for the transgenic Bt rice line Kemingdao 1 (KMD1). This rice line which is not approved in any country so far is likely to be approved in China in the near future. The developed primers amplify a DNA sequence spanning the integration site of the genetic construct in KMD1. DNA sequence information of this unknown site necessary for primer design was achieved using SiteFinding-PCR technique. The speciWcity of the detection method was shown by testing a number of diVerent transgenic and conventional plant varieties (e.g. rice LL 601, LL 62, Bt 63). As alternative to genomic DNA, we developed double target hybrid amplicons as synthetic calibration standards in Real-time PCR. These amplicons contained both one copy of the KMD1 event-speciWc sequence and one copy of a sequence of the rice reference gene gos9. The limit of quantiWcation (LOQ) of the method was tested to be 0.05%.

Rainbow papaya (Carica papaya L.) is a genetically engineered (GE) cultivar with resistance to papaya ringspot virus (PRSV). This cultivar currently accounts for about 70% of Hawaii's papaya acreage. The nutritional composition of Rainbow papaya and a non-transgenic control were analyzed to address GE food safety concerns regarding the potential for altered nutritional composition and altered expression of inherent allergens

This paper investigates stakeholder perceptions and interests in the public debates on the risks and benefits of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in developing countries. The surveys conducted in Mexico, the Philippines, and South Africa showed that most local stakeholders in these countries tend to have pragmatic views toward the use of GMOs. Yet, they also revealed a trend toward political polarization that is linked to the transatlantic dispute on GMOs. We argue that it is not just power politics but also the increasing competition for public trust that explains why European stakeholders turned out to be so successful in influencing attitudes and regulation on GMOs in developing countries. National academia, which proved to be the most trusted stakeholder in all three countries and less involved in foreign-funded advocacy work, may be crucial in abating political polarization and facilitate pragmatic political action.

Transgenic crops are now grown commercially in 25 countries worldwide. Although pathogens represent major constraints for the growth of many crops, only a tiny proportion of these transgenic crops carry disease resistance traits. Nevertheless, transgenic disease-resistant plants represent approximately 10% of the total number of approved field trials in North America, a proportion that has remained constant for 15 years. In this review, we explore the socioeconomic and biological reasons for the paradox that although technically useful solutions now exist for providing transgenic disease resistance, very few new crops have been introduced to the global market. For bacteria and fungi, the majority of transgenic crops in trials express antimicrobial proteins. For viruses, three-quarters of the transgenics express coat protein (CP) genes. There is a notable trend toward more biologically sophisticated solutions involving components of signal transduction pathways regulating plant defen...

As genetically modified (GM) foods are starting to intrude in our diet concerns have been expressed regarding GM food safety. These concerns as well as the limitations of the procedures followed in the evaluation of their safety are presented. Animal toxicity studies with certain GM foods have shown that they may toxically affect several organs and systems. The review of these studies should not be conducted separately for each GM food, but according to the effects exerted on certain organs it may help us create a better picture of the possible health effects on human beings. The results of most studies with GM foods indicate that they may cause some common toxic effects such as hepatic, pancreatic, renal, or reproductive effects and may alter the hematological, biochemical, and immunologic parameters. However, many years of research with animals and clinical trials are required for this assessment. The use of recombinant GH or its expression in animals should be re-examined since it has been shown that it increases IGF-1 which may promote cancer.

In a series of focus groups during 2001 and 2002, organic farmers from different regions of the United States identified a wide range of risks to their operations. The focus groups were facilitated by the University of Maryland in cooperation with a research team from USDA's Economic Research Service, to explore the risks faced by organic farmers, how they are managed, and needs for risk management assistance. Contamination of organic production from genetically modified organisms was seen as a major risk, particularly by grain, soybean and cotton farmers. Focus-group participants producing grains and cotton-many of whom knew about and had obtained crop insurance-raised concerns about coverage offered, including the need for insurance to reflect the higher prices received for organic crops. Most fruit and vegetable producers participating in the focus groups had little knowledge of crop insurance. When provided with basic information about crop insurance, operators of small fruit and vegetable farms were skeptical about its usefulness for their type of operation.

Ethiopia is an agrarian country that can have enormous benefit from the applications of biotechnology for increasing its agricultural productivity. The country is at initial stages of research and development in agricultural biotechnology with scattered efforts underway in various public institutions. Research efforts and applications in crop production include plant tissue culture, biofertilizers and biopesticides, molecular markers for disease diagnosis and genetic diversity. Livestock related applications include artificial insemination, molecular diagnostics, vaccine production and molecular genetic analysis. Infrastructure and skills in recombinant DNA and other cutting edge technologies such as proteomics and bioinformatics are still limited and need to be strengthened. A number of crop production constraints can be solved by using advanced biotechnology tools/products including genetically modified organisms. Cognizant of this, Ethiopia has recently given a due emphasis for capacity building in agricultural biotechnology extending from promoting research, development and education in various public institutions to setting up of an independent agricultural biotechnology research center. The constraints holding back progress in agricultural biotechnology are numerous ranging from poor technical and regulatory capacity to lack of appreciation of opportunities provided by agrobiotechnology by the public and decision makers.

The Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA) model has been applied for the risk assessment of corn curl manufacturing. A tentative approach of FMEA application to the snacks industry was attempted in an effort to exclude the presence of GMOs in the final product. This is of crucial importance both from the ethics and the legislation (Regulations EC 1829/2003; EC 1830/2003; Directive EC 18/2001) point of view.The Preliminary Hazard Analysis and the Fault Tree Analysis were used to analyze and predict the occurring failure modes in a food chain system (corn curls processing plant), based on the functions, characteristics, and/or interactions of the ingredients or the processes, upon which the system depends. Critical Control points have been identified and implemented in the cause and effect diagram (also known as Ishikawa, tree diagram, and the fishbone diagram). Finally, Pareto diagrams were employed towards the optimization of GMOs detection potential of FMEA.

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The application of the modern biotechnology to food, notably through the use of GM, has raised concern amongst the European public. Values that underlie this public concern about food biotechnology, include perceptions of: trust, choice, need, and care for a sustainable society and natural balance. Recommendations are advocated for addressing these social aspects, in terms of improving consumer choice, promoting greater public involvement in decision making and achieving a sustainable society. A model of risk analysis for genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and genetically modified food that incorporates this social dimension, through the integration of risk analysis with a social impact analysis is proposed, in order to build greater popular trust into the decision making processes.

ABSTRACTThe objectives of this study were to evaluate consumer attitudes regarding the safety of the food supply, relate food safety concern levels with groups of specific items, regulatory issues and prioritization of food safety funding areas, and to evaluate attitudes and behaviors toward specific food safety issues. As general level of concern with food safety increased, so did concern with chemical, microbiological and regulatory issues. Concern with microbiological issues was higher than in previous studies. Only about 15% of the consumers thought they had contracted a foodborne illness during the last year; >40% thought the source was restaurant food and >25% thought the source was a school or church event. Concerns with cholesterol, salt and sugar were significantly higher than in previous studies. Consumers were very concerned about the inspection of imported foods and restaurant sanitation; however, they did not assign a high priority to funding of regulatory issues such as hiring more inspectors. The majority of consumers surveyed think that genetically modified foods, irradiated foods, food from animals treated with hormones or treated with antibiotics found safe by the Food and Drug Administration, are safe to eat (80, 77, 72 and 74%, respectively); however, about one-third would not purchase them, and more than 20% have reduced their consumption of some foods because they think they are irradiated, contain genetically modified organisms or are derived from animals treated with hormones or antibiotics.The objectives of this study were to evaluate consumer attitudes regarding the safety of the food supply, relate food safety concern levels with groups of specific items, regulatory issues and prioritization of food safety funding areas, and to evaluate attitudes and behaviors toward specific food safety issues. As general level of concern with food safety increased, so did concern with chemical, microbiological and regulatory issues. Concern with microbiological issues was higher than in previous studies. Only about 15% of the consumers thought they had contracted a foodborne illness during the last year; >40% thought the source was restaurant food and >25% thought the source was a school or church event. Concerns with cholesterol, salt and sugar were significantly higher than in previous studies. Consumers were very concerned about the inspection of imported foods and restaurant sanitation; however, they did not assign a high priority to funding of regulatory issues such as hiring more inspectors. The majority of consumers surveyed think that genetically modified foods, irradiated foods, food from animals treated with hormones or treated with antibiotics found safe by the Food and Drug Administration, are safe to eat (80, 77, 72 and 74%, respectively); however, about one-third would not purchase them, and more than 20% have reduced their consumption of some foods because they think they are irradiated, contain genetically modified organisms or are derived from animals treated with hormones or antibiotics.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSHalf the 400 consumers surveyed considered their food very safe, about a 10% decrease since 2002. As far as “chemical issues,” consumers were most concerned with pesticide residues, hormones in poultry and meat, and preservatives. Concern with “microbiological issues” was substantially higher than in past studies. This may be because of the awareness of recent foodborne illness outbreaks linked to restaurant sanitation and meat being thoroughly cooked. Even though consumers were increasingly concerned about microbiological and regulatory issues, the priority for funding more inspectors for foodservice and manufacturing facilities was not higher. Consumers who were very concerned with food safety generally gave moderately high priority to funding mandatory labeling of foods containing genetically modified organisms (GMOs), and human health studies to understand the risks of hormones in food animals. If the Food and Drug Administration determined that irradiated foods, those containing GMOs and products derived from animals treated with either antibiotics or hormones are safe, more than 70% of consumers believe they are safe to eat; however, 18–28% have reduced their consumption of these foods and more than one-third would pay more for products guaranteed not to have been so treated. These findings demonstrate that consumer concerns about food safety are a moving target and that concern, attitudes and behaviors are inconsistent. This implies that while general food safety education programs may be effective in establishing an overall knowledge base, often the food industry and regulatory agencies must respond “after the fact” to specific issues, such as Escherichia coli.Half the 400 consumers surveyed considered their food very safe, about a 10% decrease since 2002. As far as “chemical issues,” consumers were most concerned with pesticide residues, hormones in poultry and meat, and preservatives. Concern with “microbiological issues” was substantially higher than in past studies. This may be because of the awareness of recent foodborne illness outbreaks linked to restaurant sanitation and meat being thoroughly cooked. Even though consumers were increasingly concerned about microbiological and regulatory issues, the priority for funding more inspectors for foodservice and manufacturing facilities was not higher. Consumers who were very concerned with food safety generally gave moderately high priority to funding mandatory labeling of foods containing genetically modified organisms (GMOs), and human health studies to understand the risks of hormones in food animals. If the Food and Drug Administration determined that irradiated foods, those containing GMOs and products derived from animals treated with either antibiotics or hormones are safe, more than 70% of consumers believe they are safe to eat; however, 18–28% have reduced their consumption of these foods and more than one-third would pay more for products guaranteed not to have been so treated. These findings demonstrate that consumer concerns about food safety are a moving target and that concern, attitudes and behaviors are inconsistent. This implies that while general food safety education programs may be effective in establishing an overall knowledge base, often the food industry and regulatory agencies must respond “after the fact” to specific issues, such as Escherichia coli.

Temperature and pH are important parameters in food processing. Their effect on degradation of plasmid and plant DNA was investigated. Application of HPLC permitted us to quantitatively distinguish between covalently closed circular and nicked plasmid DNA. Nicking of plasmid DNA in buffer increased strongly at decreased pH (99% within 90 min at 65 °C/pH 4.0). A virtually identical degradation rate was observed in tomato serum. Temperature exerted only minor effects (15% within 90 min at 85 °C/pH 8.4). The combined effect of the parameters was additive. Degradation of plant DNA was monitored by determining the maximal detectable fragment length using polymerase chain reaction. With transgenic maize DNA in buffer, fragments up to 957 bp remained detectable for at least 90 min upon application of 65 °C at pH 4.0. Soymilk and tofu were produced from genetically modified soybeans. After boiling (10 min) of raw soymilk, the detectable fragment length decreased from 1,714 to 1,339 bp. The study of the final tofu product did not reveal any further DNA degradation. In commercial soy protein isolate, a rather highly processed food, DNA fragments of at least 714 bp were detected.

Purpose -This paper seeks to provide an in-depth discussion on the impact of agricultural biotechnology in developing and least developed countries (LDCs) as well as the concomitant biosafety concerns that might have an impact on trade and the environment whilst highlighting the importance of choosing development pathways that are conducive to the specific needs of these nations without endangering the biodiversity and affecting people's health. Design/methodology/approach -The paper adopts a socio-legal approach by undertaking a content analysis of decided cases, relevant treaties and existing studies conducted in areas related to agricultural biotechnology within the framework of sustainable development imperatives. Findings -The paper suggests that developing countries venturing into agricultural biotechnology need to enrich the technology according to their needs and capabilities in order to be able to weigh the benefits against the risks in the production and import of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) specifically via the implementation of the "precautionary principle" and viable "risk assessment" techniques which conform to their existing international law obligations in view of the findings that most of these nations have not formulated adequate legal and institutional frameworks supported with the necessary expertise to regulate, monitor, and ensure safety of agricultural GMOs produced and/or imported by them. Practical implications -The issues and suggestions in this paper will enable the development process of developing and least developed economies to conform to the tenets of sustainable development and minimize the loss of Earth's biodiversity. Originality/value -The paper is of practical use to stakeholders and policymakers alike venturing into agricultural biotechnology. It pools the findings of a cross-section of studies to look at the implications therein and the arising biosafety and trade issues with special reference to developing and LDCs.

A cell-free biosensor for the detection of transcription induction by speciWc small-molecule ligands is presented. As model systems, tetracycline and mercury-inducible promoters were used containing WreXy luciferase as reporter gene. Escherichia coli S30 extract was prepared and used for coupled transcription-translation reactions. By using puriWed Tet repressor and MerR regulatory proteins, we could study repressor-operator interactions for optimizing the relative concentrations of each component. Previously, detection of tetracycline and mercury using similar transcriptional regulation in whole living cells has been carried out. As compared to whole-cell biosensors, our results showed better sensitivity for the detection of tetracycline and the toxic eVect of mercury was avoided in the cell-free system. Also, as the system omits cell cultivation and bacterial membranes as molecule passage inhibitors, it is possible to carry out assays in much shorter times and without the use of genetically modiWed organisms.  2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

La generación de animales transgénicos ha supuesto una gran revolución biotecnológica en los campos de ciencia y de la salud. El cerdo es un animal de gran importancia en la producción animal, pero también lo es como animal de experimentación usado como modelo de los nuevos procesos biotecnológicos y de las enfermedades humanas. En los últimos 25 años, el desarrollo de la transgénesis porcina ha ido asociado al desarrollo y la aplicación de nuevas tecnologías de biología molecular y de reproducción asistida. En este documento revisamos los métodos empleados hasta el momento para la generación de porcinos transgénicos, analizando tanto las ventajas que cada tecnología ofrece como las limitaciones que las técnicas presentan. Describimos desde los primeros estudios realizados en la transgénesis porcina mediante inyección pronuclear hasta los últimos avances en células madre pluripotenciales inducidas que acaban de ser descritas, pasando por el empleo de los virus, los espermatozoides como mediadores de la transferencia genética y los procesos de transferencia nuclear (clonación). Igualmente aportamos la experiencia acumulada por nuestro grupo de investigación en los últimos años en este apasionante campo de la ciencia.

Public policy on the development and use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) has mainly been concerned with defining proper strategies of risk management. However, surveys and focus group interviews show that although lay people are concerned with risks, they also emphasize that genetic modification is ethically questionable in itself. Many people feel that this technology “tampers with nature” in an unacceptable manner. This is often identified as an objection to the crossing of species borders in producing transgenic organisms. Most scientists reject these opinions as based on insufficient knowledge about biotechnology, the concept of species, and nature in general. Some recent projects of genetic modification aim to accommodate the above mentioned concerns by altering the expression of endogenous genes rather than introducing genes from other species. There can be good scientific reasons for this approach, in addition to strategic reasons related to greater public acceptability. But are there also moral reasons for choosing intragenic rather than transgenic modification? I suggest three interrelated moral reasons for giving priority to intragenic modification. First, we should respect the opinions of lay people even when their view is contrary to scientific consensus; they express an alternative world-view, not scientific ignorance. Second, staying within species borders by strengthening endogenous traits reduces the risks and scientific uncertainty. Third, we should show respect for nature as a complex system of laws and interconnections that we cannot fully control. The main moral reason for intragenic modification, in our view, is the need to respect the “otherness” of nature.

Flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) is an annual plant cultivated in moderate climates. Although the genus Linum contains about 230 species, Linum usitatissimum is the only species which fulfills a commercial function, serving as a fiber donor for the textile industry and the production of linseed oil. The flax breeding is often limited due to the decrease in yield caused by fungi infection. The ectopic expression of a potato b-1,3-glucanase cDNA in flax has improved the plant's defence against pathogen. The resistance of transgenic lines against Fusarium oxysporum and Fusarium culmorum was about threefold higher than for the non-transformed plants. In an in vitro experiment the transgenic plant extract inhibited fungi growth and the inhibition was abolished by extract heating and anti-b-glucanase antibody treatment. By further investigation into the molecular basis of transgenic flax resistance, the metabolic profiling of the plant was performed. The significant decrease in the content of carbohydrate, fatty acids and organic acids and the increase in the level of selected amino acids, polyamines and antioxidant were revealed. What is interesting is that the transgenic plants showed a significant decrease in lignin content, which may lead to the improvement of flax fibre retting. q

The ability to produce exopolysaccharides (EPS) is widespread among lactic acid bacteria (LAB), although the physiological role of these molecules has not been clearly established yet. Some EPS confer on LAB a "ropy" character that can be detected in cultures that form long strands when extended with an inoculation loop. When EPS are produced in situ during milk fermentation they can act as natural biothickeners, giving the product a suitable consistency, improving viscosity, and reducing syneresis. In addition, some of these EPS may have beneficial effects on human health. The increasing demand by consumers of novel dairy products requires a better understanding of the effect of EPS on existing products and, at the same time, the search for new EPS-producing strains with desirable properties. The use of genetically modified organisms capable of producing high levels of EPS or newly designed biopolymers is still very limited. Therefore, exploration of the biodiversity of wild LAB strains from natural ecological environments is currently the most suitable approach to search for the desired EPS-phenotype. The screening of ropy strains and the isolation and characterization of EPS responsible for this characteristic have led to the application over the past years of a wide variety of techniques. This review summarizes the available information on methods and procedures used for research on this topic. The information provided deals with methods for screening of EPS-producing LAB, detection of the ropy phenotype, and the physicochemical and structural characterization of these molecules, including parameters related to their viscosifying properties. To our knowledge, this is the first compilation of methods available for the study of EPS produced by LAB. (

En ce qui concerne la politique sur plantes génétiquement modifiées, l'Afrique est un terrain de luttes d'influence et de débats. Les enjeux sont à la fois économiques, politiques et écologiques. Dans cet article, nous montrons que les biotechnologies végétales sont l'une des techniques, à combiner avec d'autres, qui pourraient permettre d'assurer la sécurité alimentaire et sanitaire de l'Afrique, et que les risques qu'entraîneront l'utilisation de cette technique doivent être soigneusement analysés. Nous présenterons ensuite la position des différents pays africains vis-à-vis des conventions internationales (propriété intellectuelle, biosécurité et commerce) et nous caractériserons leurs politiques nationales et de recherche vis-à-vis des OGM.

Due to the Brazilian market introduction of the genetically modified (GM) crop Roundup Ready TM (RR) soybean, the ability to detect GM crops has become a legal necessity. In order to detect the presence of RR soybean, a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification method was evaluated for the detection of RR in soybean mixtures and commercially available soy flour, infant formula and soymilk powder. To detect the presence of RR soybean, a nested PCR resulted in an amplicon of 169 bp, present for all soybean mixed samples containing 0.01-10% GM soybean and absent for 0% GM soybean. None of the analysed infant formulas showed a positive signal after the nested PCR; four out of six soy flour samples and 15 out of 25 soymilk powder samples were positive for the presence of RR soybean. Results show that the nested PCR method used is adequate to determine the presence of GM soybean in the presented products.