Biotechnology An Introduction to the World!

South Dakota State University * College of Agriculture & Biological Sciences * Cooperative Extension Service

BiotechnologyAn Introduction to the World!

Adapted by

John Rist

Viborg High School


Introduction

Enduring Understanding Biotechnology and its applications can

be used to solve world problems.Essential Questions What are the current uses and purposes

for biotechnology in animal science? What bio-ethical issues are facing the

world as a result of biotechnology? How can biotechnology be used to solve

world problems?

Genes by DesignAn Introduction to Food Biotechnology

by

Sharon Guthmiller, Cheryl Jacobs,

and Lavonne Meyer

South Dakota State University

FCS Extension Educators


A. Definitions of Food Biotechnology…

1. Includes both the traditional forms of

fermentation and crossbreeding

2. The use of living organisms to move

specific desirable traits from one

organism to another


B. Traditional and Conventional Methods…

1. Date back to the first attempts (8000 BC) to

improve the food supply (saving best seeds)

2. Include yeast and fermentation processes

(using microorganisms to create different

foods)

3. Include crossbreeding and hybridization (to

create superior plants or animals)


C. Conventional & traditional crossbreeding methods…

1. Had their beginnings with Gregor Mendel’s

discovery in 1860 of dominant and recessive

heredity traits in crossbreeding peas

2. Can be inexact and time consuming

3. Have led to development of seedless grapes,

tangerines, and nectarines through conventional

breeding and physiology


One example…How would you select for a medium sized red rose, enhanced with white, with a yellow center?

•This would be a very slow process by natural selection methods!


D. Biotechnology today…1. Is a precise scientific process including techniques to

obtain genetically engineered or transgenic plants and

animals. (Gene Splicing)

2. Involves gene transfer from one organism to another.

3. Provides tools to help combat disease, fight hunger,

promote human health, and protect the environment.

4. Uses DNA and recombinant DNA.

http://library.thinkquest.org/19037/therapy2.html


E. Biotechnology advances…1. 1970s- the discovery that a soil bacterium causes

disease in plants by transferring its own DNA into

the plant.

2. 1982- insulin used in the treatment of diabetes is from

one of the first genetically engineered organisms.

By inserting a human gene into the genetic code of a

bacterium, researchers found they could generate a

consistent, reliable source of insulin.


F. Fighting disease…

1. Interferon used for the treatment of cancer,

heart disease, and anemia is a genetically

engineered product

2. Genetically engineered foods have potential to

offer higher levels of antioxidant vitamins to

reduce risk of disease.


G. Human health…1. In the not-too-distant future, many foods may be

genetically engineered to deliver higher proteins,

vitamins, and minerals.

Golden rice is an example of this. The rice contains

beta-carotene, a precursor of vitamin A. Vitamin A

deficiency affects 230 million children throughout

the world. It is hoped this product can help alleviate

the problems associated with vitamin A deficiency.


H. Genetically engineered foods…

1. Must be labeled only if they differ significantly

from the traditional plant or food. For example: if the nutritional value is altered or the potential

to cause an allergic reaction is altered.

2. Include tomatoes, potatoes, canola, corn,

soybeans, and sugar beets.


I. Regulatory Agencies…

1. FDA (Food and Drug Administration) is responsible

for holding plant varieties to the safety standard of

any traditional food product.

Consults with developers to ensure that foods

derived from new plant varieties are safe to eat.

Provides guidance on needed information to insure

food safety


Regulatory Agencies cont…

2. USDA-APHIS (USDA Animal & Plant Health

Inspection Service) regulates the safe field testing of

new genetically engineered plant varieties.

Time from research starting on a new genetically

engineered plant until it receives clearance could

take up to 10 years.

APHIS has strict rules about how lab and field

trials are conducted. Materials must be

incinerated when the project is completed!


Regulatory Agencies cont…

3. EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) has

authority over all new pesticides. This includes

all new genetically engineered plants that

produce their own protection against pests.

Considers human safety, effectiveness on the target

pest, impact on the environment, and endangered

species before registering a new product.


J. Future crops and foods may include:

1. Release and acceptance of golden rice as part of

the answer to vitamin A deficiency concerns.

2. Wheat grown to eliminate allergic reactions.

3. Edible vaccines in fruits such as bananas.

4. Pharmaceuticals synthesized in corn.


K. Concerns and controversies…

1. Are the food safety issues being met?

2. What are the regulatory processes that genetically

engineered food must adhere to before approval?

3. Have enough long-term studies been done to

verify safety?


Concerns and controversies cont…

4. Have potential dangers to the environment and

genetic resources had enough study to merit total

acceptance?

Examples: the monarch butterfly, StarLink

corn, creation of a “super weed”, etc.


Concerns and controversies cont… 5. Other concerns & controversies:

Labeling of genetically engineered food

Social issues

Economic and trade issues

Religious issues

Ethics


L. The future… Biotechnology, for the most part, has been readily

accepted and welcomed as a new science for

products today. It offers hope for 1) food security,

2) better nutrition, 3) healthier individuals, and 4)

resistance to disease world-wide.


M. Reasons for continued search for answers…

To provide answers to questions about the effect of

biotechnology and it’s effects on the environment,

society, economy, and ethics.

To verify that food biotechnology is a vital link in the

continual process of improvement of foods.

To ultimately be accepted or rejected by the consumer.


Conclusion… Biotechnology has been accepted in the laboratories and

the farm fields.

If it will be readily accepted in the grocery store and on

your dining room table, is up to you.

“Genes by Design” empowers you with knowledge about

biotechnology and will help you make critical decisions

about how biotechnology will affect you in the future.


Resources: South Dakota State University Ag Research

Websites:

Iowa State University

http://www.biotech.iastate.edu/

National Agricultural Library

http://www.nal.usda.gov/bic/

South Dakota State University class

Plant Science 593 Agriculture Biotechnology















Biotechnology An Introduction to the World!

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