The Perspectives of Science, Law and Agriculture

Prof. em. Klaus Ammann, University of BernTuesday September 6, 2011

Precarious situation of GMO research – causes and solutions

Molecular processes in Genetic Engineering and Natural Mutation: there is no difference

Werner Arber, Nobel Laureate 1978:

Interestingly, naturally occurring molecular evolution,i.e. the spontaneous generation of genetic variants hasbeen seen to follow exactly the same three strategies as those used in genetic engineering. These three strategies are: (a) small local changes in the nucleotide sequences,(b) internal reshuffling of genomic DNA segments, and(c) acquisition of usually rather small segments of DNA

from another type of organism by horizontal gene transfer.

Arber, W. (2002) Roots, strategies and prospects of functional genomics. Current Science, 83, 7, pp 826-828 http://www.botanischergarten.ch/Mutations/Arber-Comparison-2002.pdf

Arber, W. (2002) Roots, strategies and prospects of functional genomics. Current Science, 83, 7, pp 826-828 http://www.botanischergarten.ch/Mutations/Arber-Comparison-2002.pdf

Werner Arber, Comparison, with publications

However, there is a principal difference between the procedures of genetic engineering and those serving in nature for biological evolution. While the genetic engineer pre-reflects his alteration and verifies its results, nature places its genetic variations more randomly and largely independent of an identified goal.And after ca. 10 years of safety assessmenttransgenic crops are distributed to the millions in a short time.

Arber, W. (2002) Roots, strategies and prospects of functional genomics. Current Science, 83, 7, pp 826-828 http://www.botanischergarten.ch/Mutations/Arber-Comparison-2002.pdf

Arber, W. (2002) Roots, strategies and prospects of functional genomics. Current Science, 83, 7, pp 826-828 http://www.botanischergarten.ch/Mutations/Arber-Comparison-2002.pdf

Arber, However principal differences: Prereflection and short time distribution of successful traits

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Baudo: comparison in genomic disturbance: GM crops are less disturbed (black dots) than classic breeds

Scatter plot representation of transcriptome comparisons, Baudo et al. 2006transgenic vs. controlendosperm 14 dpa

28 dpa 8 dpg

2 conventionallinesEndosperm14 dpa

28 dpa leaf at 8 dpg

transgenic vs. conventional Endosperm14 dpa

28 dpa leaf at 8 dpg

van Bueren, E.T.L., Struik, P.C., Tiemens-Hulscher, M., & Jacobsen, E. (2003) Concepts of intrinsic value and integrity of plants in organic plant breeding and propagation. Crop Science, 43, 6, pp 1922-1929 http://www.botanischergarten.ch/Organic/van-Bueren-Organicbreeding.pdf

Intrinsic Value in organic plant breeding questionable

Scientifically incorrect molecular concepts in Organic Farming

Institute of Radiation Breeding Ibaraki-ken, JAPAN http://www.irb.affrc.go.jp/

100m radius

89 TBqCo-60 source at the center

Shielding dike 8m high

Gamma Field for radiation

breeding

BetterBetter

spaghettis, whiskyspaghettis, whisky

1800 new plants1800 new plants

Radiation breeding as field experiments

Fig. 2. Mitotic chromosomes in root tip cells of plants irradiated by N ion beam or X-ray. (A) Normal chromosomes of hexaploid wheat (2n = 42). (B) Chromosomes irradiated with 50 Gy of N ion beam. (C) Chromosomes irradiated with 200Gy of X-ray. (D) A pair of chromosome ‘J’ of L. racemosus in addition lines distinguished by in situ hybridization with the probe of genomic DNA (red) and subtelomeric repetitive sequence TaiI (green). (E) Chromosomes of L. racemosus visualized by GISH in the cell irradiated with 50 Gy of N ion beam. Arrows indicate chromosome fragments of L. racemosus. (F) L. racemosus chromosomes detected by GISH in the cell irradiated with 175Gy of X-ray. One L. racemosus chromosome was normal, and another was involved in reciprocal translocation (indicated by arrows). (For interpretation of the references to color in this figure legend, the reader is referred to the web version of the article.)

Kikuchi, S., Saito, Y., Ryuto, H., Fukunishi, N., Abe, T., Tanaka, H., & Tsujimoto, H. (2009)Effects of heavy-ion beams on chromosomes of common wheat, Triticum aestivum. Mutation Research-Fundamental and Molecular Mechanisms of Mutagenesis, 669, 1-2, pp 63-66 http://www.ask-force.org/web/Wheat/kikuchi-effects-heavy-ion-wheat-2009.pdf

Durum Wheat, Triticum durum: all major breedshave gone thoughmassive and inprecise radiation breedingwith success

FRANKENSTEIN

Activists, supported by Jane Rissler, called for a ban, since those irradiated varieties have never been tested for food safety, which would have wiped out 70% of the food products on shelfs.

Rissler:“Compared to these plants, genetically modified food is about as dangerous as a one-legged man in an ass-kicking contest.”

But excellent repair mechanisms working like zippers are reducing radiation damage considerablyAnd worldwide there has been no correlation established between radiation mutation and negative food safety facts. (Reuters 2001 continued)

http://www.ask-force.org/web/AF-9-Differences-GM-non-GM-crops/AF-9-Genomic-Misconception-20110909-opensource.pdf

“ The Public Research and Regulation Initiative (PRRI) believes that the mechanism of the Roster of Experts hasn’t worked to date, because there is clearly no common view as to what constitutes an expert and because there is insufficient information on the BCH about the area of expertise of the experts involved. We therefore welcome the decision by the MOP to develop draft criteria, minimum requirements and to explore a quality control mechanism for experts to be included in the Roster of Experts of the BCH.” Letter of PRRI to CBD on expert panel activity: ftp://askforc@ask-force.org/www/ask-force.org/web/PRRI-Experts/PRRI-submisison-CP-Roster-Experts-20061121.pdf

http://www.ask-force.org/web/AF-9-Differences-GM-non-GM-crops/AF-9-Genomic-Misconception-20110903-opensource.pdf

“Tens of thousands biotechnology researchers in thousands of public research institutes in developing and developed countries strive towards alleviating poverty, sustainable agricultural production, assuring food safety and quality and conservation of the environment. However, these same public sector scientists express concern that these efforts will be futile if regulations such as the Cartagena Protocol are not implemented in a balanced and science-based manner. They call on the negotiating Parties at MOP5 to constantly assess how the implementation of the Protocol will affect crucially important public research, to ensure that the Protocol will indeed contribute to sharing the benefits of this technology.”

Letter of PRRI to CBD on expert panel activity: ftp://askforc@ask-force.org/www/ask-force.org/web/PRRI-Experts/PRRI-submisison-CP-Roster-Experts-20061121.pdf

Conclusions

There can be no doubt that product-based regulatory approaches are closest to the scientific principle and that biotechnology is not inherently more risky than other technologies, principles, which have a long and accepted history of application in agriculture and food production,

http://www.ask-force.org/web/AF-9-Differences-GM-non-GM-crops/AF-9-Genomic-Misconception-20110903-opensource.pdf

European Safety Attitude: let not the Europeans decide aboutBiosafety in Africa and the Near East, do your own safety assessment

European safety attitude: a problem for many countries in the developing world

European Biosafety and the Cartagena Protocol

www.strangevehicles.com

Based on the conclusions from the Genomic Misconception:

A small selection of Myths to be seriously questioned

Trigo, E. J. and E. J. Cap (2007). Ten Years of Genetically Modified Crops in Argentine Agriculture, Argentine Council for Information and Development of Biotechnology – ArgenBio.: pp 52. http://www.botanischergarten.ch/HerbizideTol/Trigo-10years-Argentina-2006.pdf

Evolution of the area planted with no-till farming and type of herbicide used:

Time neede for Bobwhite Quali Chicks to satisfy daily insect requirements: Clear ecological benefit of no tillage

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Survival rates: no difference between Bt and non-Bt maize, results of extensive field research by science consortium

Map of history of movement of crops around the globe

Dubock, A.C. (2009)Crop conundrum. Nutrition Reviews, 67, 1, pp 17-20 <Go to ISI>://WOS:000261881200002 AND http://www.botanischergarten.ch/Golden-Rice/Dubock-Crop-Conundrum-2009.pdf

(a) farmland bird species,(b) farmland bird specialist species,

Gabriel, D., Sait, S.M., Hodgson, J.A., Schmutz, U., Kunin, W.E., & Benton, T.G. (2010)Scale matters: the impact of organic farming on biodiversity at different spatial scales. Ecology Letters, 9999, 9999, pp http://www.botanischergarten.ch/Organic/Gabriel-Scale-Matters-Organic.2010.pdf

© ABIC2004 / Eric Mele, IRTA

Morning winds

Evening winds

Co-existence in Spain 2003

Brookes, G. & Barfood, P. (2004). Co-existence of GM and non GM crops: case study of maize grown in Spain, PG Economics Ltd, pp 13 Dorchester, UK1.http://www.botanischergarten.ch/Coexistence/Brookes-Coexistence-Casestudy-Spain.01.pdf

0.25 ha: no safety distance1, 77 % GM intermixedLabeling required

0.25 ha: 6m safety distance0.77 % GM intermixedLabelling not required

1 ha: no safety distance0.83 % GM intermixedLabelling not required

0.25 ha: no safety di stance, 1.7 7% GM, labelling requ ired0.25 ha: safety distance 6 m, 0,7 7% GM, labelling not required

1.0 ha: no safety d istance, 0 .83 % GM, label ling not requ ired

Maize field I, individual sampling plants

Wider Fields Models of Maize Plants

Maize Field I and II from gene flow experiment in Switzerland: spots caused through sowing machine turned around, caused change in flowering synchroni-zation: higher outcrossing, but all results well within the legal threshold of the EU

Outcrossing of blue kernel maize surrounding yellow kernel maize, Slightly different growing conditions due to sowing machine turningChange in flowering synchronization: higher outcrossing, SIGMEA – resultsin field experiments from Switzerland, Ammann et al. 2006, report

Gruere, G. & Sengupta, D. (2011)Bt Cotton and Farmer Suicides in India: An Evidence-based Assessment. Journal of Development Studies, 47, 2, pp 316-337 http://www.ask-force.org/web/Cotton/gruere-bt-cotton-suicides-2011.pdf

Gruere, G. & Sengupta, D. (2011)Bt Cotton and Farmer Suicides in India: An Evidence-based Assessment. Journal of Development Studies, 47, 2, pp 316-337 http://www.ask-force.org/web/Cotton/gruere-bt-cotton-suicides-2011.pdf

Gilbert, Scientists Promised‘one voice’ http://www.nature.com/news/2011/110829/full/477018a/box/1.html

Nature 20110829

http://yhst-7134682615375.stores.yahoo.net/ddtee.html

AgricultureFoster renewable natural resources, knowledge based agriculture: OrganicPrecision Biotech Ag,Balance local productionwith global trade

Socio-EconomicsEquity: reconcile traditional knowledge with science, foster biomimetics, reduce agricultural subsidies,global dialogue including new creative capitalism

TechnologiesInnovation supportedby artificial intelligence,influence evolution,new technologies to process and use of housing, food, energy

Arber, W. (2010)Genetic engineering compared to natural genetic variations. New Biotechnology, 27, 5, pp 517-521 http://www.ask-force.org/web/Vatican-PAS-Studyweek-Elsevier-publ-20101130/Arber-Werner-PAS-Genetic-Engineering-Compared-20101130-publ.pdf

Possibilities for Biotechnology andOrganic Farming forCollaboration

Ammann, K. (2008)Feature: Integrated farming: Why organic farmers should use transgenic crops. New Biotechnology, 25, 2, pp 101 - 107 http://www.botanischergarten.ch/NewBiotech/Ammann-Integrated-Farming-Organic-2008.publ.pdf

Ammann, K. (2009)Feature: Why farming with high tech methods should integrate elements of organic agriculture. New Biotechnology, 25, 6, pp 378-388 http://www.botanischergarten.ch/Organic/Ammann-High-Tech-and-Organic-2009.pdf

Bauer de Jonghe in Holland, produziert Gemüse im Bio-Standard ohne PestizideFoto Claus Lange, Text Michael Miersch Weltwoche 06 2003

Some Old Order Amish Farmer in Lancaster, Penssylvania have adopted Transgenic Crops, foto K. Ammann 1998

Ronald, P.C. & Adamchak, R.W. (2008) Tomorrow's Table: Organic Farming, Genetics, and the Future of Food Oxford University Press, USA (April 18, 2008) IS: ISBN-10: 0195301757 ISBN-13: 978-0195301755 pp 232 Book review by J. Gressel 2009 http://www.botanischergarten.ch/Gressel-Book-Ronald-2009.pdf

outside London airport mid August 2007: Their slogan: "We are armed ... only with peer reviewed science".

MAYBE IN ERRORNEVER IN DOUBT

Wicked problems cannot be solved in a traditional linear fashion because the problemdefinition evolves as new possible solutions areconsidered and/or implemented.

These problems always occur in a social context, the wickedness of the problem reflecting the diversity of the problem stakeholders.

Solving wicked problems needs new, second

generation approaches in discourse

Ammann, K. (2006)Reconciling Traditional Knowledge with Modern Agriculture: A Guide for Building Bridges. In Intellectual Property Management in

Health and Agricultural Innovation a handbook of best practices, Chapter 16.7 (eds A. Krattiger, R.T.L. Mahoney, L. Nelsen, G.A. Thompson, A.B. Bennett, K. Satyanarayana, G.D. Graff, C. Fernandez & S.P. Kowalsky), pp. 1539-1559. MIHR, PIPRA, Oxford, U.K. and Davis, USA

chapter 16.7 http://www.botanischergarten.ch/TraditionalKnowledge/Ammann-Traditional-Biotech-2007.pdf free of copyrights AND the exported bibliography with the links: http://www.botanischergarten.ch/TraditionalKnowledge/Exported-Bibliography-links-Ammann-2007.pdf

Ammann, K. & Papazova Ammann, B. (2004)Factors Influencing Public Policy Development in Agricultural Biotechnology. In RISK ASSESSMENT OF TRANSGENIC CROPS.

(ed S. Shantaram), Vol. 9, pp. 1552. Wiley and Sons, Hoboken, NJ, USA.P. Christou & H. Klee Handbook of Plant Biotechnologyhttp://www.botanischergarten.ch/Wiley/Factors-Discourse-Wiley.pdf and Spanish translation by Maria Wright http://www.ask-

force.org/web/Wiley/Ammann-Factores-Influenc-2004.PDF

Ammann, K., Papazova Ammann, B., & Wright M. (Translation) (2004)Factores Influenciando el Desarrollo de las Politicas Publicas en la Agricultura Biotechnologica, translation into Spanish. In RISK

ASSESSMENT OF TRANSGENIC CROPS. (eds S. Shantaram & P. Crhistou), Vol. 9, pp. 1552. Wiley and Sons, Hoboken, NJ, USA.P. Christou & H. Klee Handbook of Plant Biotechnology

http://www.ask-force.org/web/Wiley/Ammann-Factores-Influenc-2004.PDF AND http://www.botanischergarten.ch/Wiley/Factors-Discourse-Wiley.pdf

to respect different kinds of knowledge is better than the stakeholder concept

factual knowledgedeontic knowledge

explanatory knowledge instrumental knowledgeconceptual knowledgetraditional knowledge