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Agricultural Biotechnology

What is Agricultural Biotechnology? Agricultural biotechnology is a range of tools, including traditional breeding techniques, that alter living organisms, or parts of organisms, to make or modify products; improve plants or animals; or develop microorganisms for specific agricultural uses. Modern agricultural biotechnology includes the tools of genetic engineering. The research on and development of agricultural products such as crop varieties and crop protection products by modifying genes to confer desirable properties such as pest resistance or improved nutritional profiles. Mini Glossary Here are some of the terms that I discovered during my introduction to agricultural biotechnology. I am not claiming this glossary to be accurate. Click here to report errors or make suggestions. Agricultural biotechnology is also known as agribiotechnology, agro-biotechnology agribiotech, agbiotech. GM - Genetically Modified GMO - Genetically Modified Organism GE - Genetically Engineered LMO - Living Modified Organism Transgenic - Containing genes from another species Bt Crops - transgenic crops producing Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxins that kill pests. Bt - Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is a natural soil bacterium that produces crystals containing proteins that are toxic to certain insects. Benefits of Agri-biotechnology Advances in agricultural biotechnology may provide farmers and consumers with: Reduced use of pesticides Crops resistant to disease Crops resistant to pests Increased yields Reduced production costs Foods that are nutritionally-enriched Foods that last longer Reduced fats Reduced allergens/food-borne illnesses New medicines Reduced use of uncultivated land Erosion, soil management Renewable sources of energy Biodegradable manufacturing materials Risks of Agricultural Biotechnology Here are some agricultural biotechnology risks that I found at the National Science Foundation Gene Transfer Example 1: The genes of a GM crop could cross-pollinate with a weed and create a superweed. Example 2: A genetically engineered animal is introduced into the wild and mates. Unintended effects on humans and other organisms Example: It has been suggested that pollen from genetically-engineered Bt corn might kill Monarch butterfly larvae Pests and weeds naturally developing resistance Who Manages the Safety of Agricultural Biotechnology Food Products? The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) work to ensure that crops produced through genetic engineering for commercial use are properly tested and studied to make sure they pose no significant risk to consumers or the environment.

The first genetically engineered product went on the market in 1994. The FDA determined that a new tomato, which could be shipped vine-ripened without rotting rapidly, was as safe as other commercial tomatoes. Since then, more than 50 other genetically engineered foods have been determined by the agency to be as safe as their conventional counterparts.

The Grocery Manufacturers of America estimates that between 70 percent and 75 percent of all processed foods available in U.S. grocery stores may contain ingredients from genetically engineered plants. Breads, cereal, frozen pizzas, hot dogs and soda are just a few of them.

Soybean oil, cottonseed oil and corn syrup are ingredients used extensively in processed foods. Soybeans, cotton and corn dominate the 100 million acres of genetically engineered crops that were planted in the United States in 2003, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Through genetic engineering, these plants have been made to ward off pests and to tolerate herbicides used to kill weeds. Other crops, such as squash, potatoes, and papaya, have been engineered to resist plant diseases.

More than 50 biotech food products have been evaluated by the FDA and found to be as safe as conventional foods, including canola oil, corn, potatoes, soybeans, squash, sugar beets and tomatoes.

Source: Council for Biotechnology Information, Food and Drug Administration

Genetically Modified Links

Biotechnology Primer - Monsanto
Understanding Genetics - The Tech Museum of Innovation

Labeling GM Food Products

Having information about whether foods are, or are derived from, genetically engineered organisms included on the label would allow consumers to choose to purchase or avoid those products without being restricted to limited or higher priced options. The EU and other governments require such information on labels and members of this group do not understand why US consumers should not also get that information.

From: Opportunities and Challenges in Agricultural Biotechnology: The Decade Ahead. A July 13, 2006 report prepared by the USDA Advisory Committee on Biotechnology and 21st Century Agriculture.  

The Future of Biotech Foods

Biotechnology is often associated with promise… promise to feed the world, promise to reduce environmental harm, promise to expand agricultural markets and production possibilities, promise to create products that consumers want.