Post on 25-Feb-2016
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Genes and Our Food
Past, present and future
Science is used to improve our food supply
“And he gave it for his opinion, that whoever could make two ears of corn, or two blades of grass, to grow upon a spot of ground where only one grew before, would deserve better of mankind, and do more essential service to his country, than the whole race of politicians put together. “
Jonathan Swift in Gulliver’s Travels
Science is used to improve our food supply All food comes from living organisms Genetics can be used to improve the
plants and animals we eat Many people are not aware of these
facts “Ordinary Tomatoes Do Not Contain
Genes, while Genetically Modified Ones Do”
“Ordinary Tomatoes Do Not Contain Genes, while Genetically Modified Ones Do”
1996 - 1998
4048
4651
3536
3234
4552
382124
2744
2039
22
4533
223130
2221
4429
44
1015
0 20 40 60 80 100
United Kingdom
Switzerland
Sweden
Netherlands
Italy
Germany
France
Austria
United States
Canada
Percent Response
False (Correct) Don't Know True
We have genetically modified food for thousands of years
The earliest farmers and gardeners saved seeds of the very best plants to start the next growing season
By doing this, they unknowingly selected plants with the more desirable genes
Assyrian mural from 870 BC showing palm pollination
Domestication of corn
Teosinte Corn
9000 Years Ago
Domestication of lettuce
Leaf LettucePrickly lettuce
4,500 Years Ago
Domestication of carrot
1,100 to 300 Years Ago
Queen Anne’s Lace
• Orange carrotsappeared in Holland in the 1700s
Brassica oleracea
Wild cabbage
KohlrabiGermany, 100 AD
Kale, 500 BC
Cabbage, 100AD
Cauliflower 1400’s
BroccoliItaly, 1500’s
Brussel sproutsBelgium, 1700’s
Ornamental kaleLate 1900’s
Some crops never existed in nature
Wheat, Triticum aestivumTriticum urartu X Aegilops speltoides
2n=14 2n=14
Triticum turgidum X Aegilops tauschii 2n=28 2n=14
Triticum aestivum 2n=42
Biotechnology Biotechnology
InIn
AgricultureAgriculture
Major uses of biotechnology Making maps of plant and animal
chromosomes using technology developed for the Human Genome Project
Using our knowledge to add new genetic information to plants and animals
How is this information obtained? Set of techniques that allow us to "
read" genes
Old and New Approaches to Plant Improvement
Current Crops with Biotech Traits
Herbicide Tolerance - Lower grower cost (corn, soy, cotton, canola) - Reduced herbicide residues- Enables no-till- Simplicity / flexibility
Insect/Corn Borer Resistance - Lower grower costs(corn, cotton, potato) - Reduced pesticide usage - Decreased molds - Higher yields- Simplicity
Commercial Products Benefits to Growers / Consumers
Current Crops with Biotech Traits
Virus Resistance - Lower cost (potato, papaya) - Higher quality foods- Less acres used
Delayed Ripening - Higher quality food products - Longer shelf-life
Commercial Products Benefits to Growers / Consumers
Biotech Benefits and Risks Decreasing reliance on pesticides Insect resistance management Gene flow and outcrossing Non-target organisms Human, wildlife and environmental health Preserving genetic diversity in plants and
animals Economic
Potential of crop biotechnology
1995 2000 2005 2010
Agronomic traits
Potential products
Quality traits
Pharmaceuticals
Specialty chemicals
Genetically Enhanced Plants The Next Generation
CropCrop CustomerCustomer
Focus on improved farming""Thinking in crops""
Focus on improved processing"Thinking in applications""
Functionality of crops
or components
Customer needs
Source: The Boston Consulting Group; modified
Situation So Far Future Trend
Biotech Foods and Health Enhanced protein and
essential nutrients prevent disease Vitamin A to prevent childhood
blindness Increased calories and nutrients
to prevent malnutrition Increasing food availability by
reducing spoilagegolden rice
Healthier Foods Added Nutrients
wheat rice
Reducing Natural Food Toxins
Fighting Hunger
Improving yields of food staples Controlling insects Controlling crop diseases
bananas cassava sweet potato virus
Greater salt tolerance
Food Security Increasing crop productivity
to meet growing global food needs
Increasing crop productivity of staple foods rich in protein and calories
Increasing access to a healthy, diverse diet
What will the future bring?
Foods as Medicine Delivery System• Vaccines
• human • veterinary
Foods as Medicine Delivery System
Benefits of food as a Drug Delivery System reduced expense low tech – easy to deliver reduced spoilage - no refrigeration
Vaccines Enhanced protein and essential
nutrients prevent disease
Other uses of biotech Over 100 drugs on the market
developed with biotech Bioremediation Industrial biotech
Improved enzymes in chemical, textile, pharmaceutical, metal, and energy industries
Starch and grain processing Sweeteners Ethanol
Other uses of biotech Coffee is decaffeinated
by solvent extraction Concern about safety
and flavor Engineer to be
decaffeinated Also can make uniform
ripening
Other uses of biotech
Nicotine-free tobacco
Low lignin spruce trees for paper production
Industrial uses Cleaning industry
Detergent proteases Textile industry
Finishing cloth Better cotton fibers
Paper and pulp industry Processing with biotech,
environmentally friendly chemicals