A HeAltH ProfessionAl’s

Guide to Biotechnologyexploring food Production that’s Healthy

for Humans and the environment

Agricultural biotechnology allows plant breeders to make precise genetic changes to impart beneficial traits to the crop plants we rely on for food and fiber. For centuries, farmers and plant breeders improved crops via traditional breeding methods, selecting and sowing seeds from the strongest, most desirable plants to produce the next generation of crops. In this way, they transferred tens of thousands of genes among crops. The tools of modern biotechnology allow today’s plant breeders to select genes that produce beneficial traits and move them from one organism to another with greater precision.

AgriculturAl Biotechnology

Biotechnologycan help feed an increasing world

population and provide more

healthful and nutritious foods.

Biotechnology can help feed an increasing world population and provide more healthful and nutritious foods. Drought or rust resistant varieties of food crops may help alleviate famines throughout the world, while nutritional enhancement of foods could prevent the scourge of certain diseases. A 2010 study by the International Food Information Council (14th Annual Consumer Perceptions of Food Technology Survey) found that consumers are generally favorable toward agricultural biotechnology, especially when it comes to consumer-facing benefits such as improved health or better taste.

For example, the majority of consumers say they are somewhat or very likely to purchase foods produced through biotechnology to provide more healthful fats like omega-3s (76 percent), to avoid trans fat (74 percent) and to make foods taste better/fresher (67 percent). In addition, awareness of sustainable food production recently reached a new high (50 percent in 2010

compared to 30 percent in 2007), and has a strong influence on a consumer’s likelihood to purchase foods produced through biotechnology.

The study also found that just over a third of consumers felt that agricultural biotechnology would benefit them or their families over the next five years. However, over half didn’t have an opinion either way, suggesting an opportunity for education.

Health professionals may wish to frame guidance in terms that make an impact close to home, such as America’s number-one killer – heart disease – and preserving the environment through sustainable U.S. agriculture.

The tools of modern biotechnology allow today’s plant breeders to

select genes that produce beneficial traits with greater precision.

One of the biggest environmental benefits of biotech crops has been the widespread adoption of no-till farming, which fosters better soil health and conservation, improved water retention/ decreased soil erosion and decreased herbicide runoff from fields into streams.

cAse study: humAn heAlth

Consumers are generally favorable toward agricultural biotechnology when it comes to consumer-facing benefits such as improved health or better taste.

Omega-3 fatty acids possess important cardioprotective effects. Considered essential fatty acids, they cannot be created by the body and must be obtained by diet or supplementation. Most Americans are encouraged to consume more omega-3s. To do so, the American Heart Association (AHA) recommends the public increase consumption of tofu and soybean oil as well as fish.

While fish oil is the preferred source because of the bioavailability of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), it’s not the primary source in the U.S. diet due to perceived difficulty or expense

in consuming fatty fish and fish oil supplements and concern over levels of heavy metals and overfishing. Presently, the alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) found in soybean oil is the principal source of omega-3s in the U.S. diet, but that could soon change as researchers tap biotechnology to increase levels of more bioavailable types of omega-3 fatty acids in soybeans. Specifically, scientists have focused on developing soybeans to contain stearidonic acid (SDA), the intermediate between ALA and EPA, which is more readily absorbed by humans. A 2009 clinical trial conducted by AHA found evidence to support SDA’s bioavailability since modified SDA soybean oil demonstrated a positive effect on cellular EPA levels. In fact, the biotech oil raised human EPA levels by 17.1 percent. For comparison, EPA levels rose 19.7 percent in the EPA fish oil consumption group, which means that both results produced statistically significant changes.

The goal is to provide an affordable, land-based, renewable source of omega-3s that can create great-tasting foods rich in this essential nutrient. Because the food industry manufactures so many products using soybean oil, increasing omega-3s via soy can have a significant effect on the nation’s heart health.

Increasing omega-3s via soy can have a

significant effect on the nation’s heart health.

Nearly 92 percent of U.S. soybean acreage is now planted with biotech varieties and soybean yields have increased 12 percent since 1995 – providing more healthy food using less land and water.

heAlth ProfessionAl’s roleA study conducted by USB in 2009, Healthcare Professional Biotechnology Awareness & Attitude Survey, found that nearly 70 percent of healthcare professionals hold an overall favorable view of agricultural biotechnology for use in food products. More specifically, they reported that knowing about the advances in increased isoflavone, increased omega-3 and low-saturate soybeans would make them more likely to recommend soyfoods at 62 percent, 59 percent and 53 percent, respectively.

The American Dietetic Association (ADA) also supports biotechnology. Their current position paper on agricultural biotechnology states the following:

• All dietetics professionals should articulate the current science and current regulatory framework about biotechnology without bias.

• The dietetics profession should be active in the dialogue about the future of the food supply.

There’s good reason for nutrition professionals to educate patients and clients about this technology since ADA research indicates that the public perceives dietetics professionals as a trusted source of information about agricultural and food biotechnology. In 2010, USB’s Consumer Attitudes about Nutrition study found that 41 percent of consumers are familiar with biotechnology’s role in food production, yet only a quarter are aware of the health and nutrition benefits that result from biotechnology.

A variety of other research studies also show that most Americans express low awareness about food biotechnology, and most are neutral or unsure when asked for their opinion. On the plus side, there does not appear to be widespread concern for health professionals to counter. According to the International Food Information Council, only 2 percent of consumers cite food biotechnology as a safety concern.

Most Americans express low awareness about food biotechnology. This is where dietetics professionals can help.

The United Soybean Board (USB) commissioned a comprehensive scientific literature review on the environmental effects of biotechnology.

The Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST) studied conventional, organic and biotechnology-derived soybean crops and concluded in April 2009 that biotech soybeans yield the following environmental benefits:

• 93 percent decrease in soil erosion

• Preservation of 1 billion tons of top soil

• 70 percent reduction in herbicide run-off

• 326 million lbs reduction in CO

2 emissions

cAse study: environmentFor instance, since biotech crops were introduced, farmers have eliminated 379 million pounds of pesticide applications globally. One reason is that biotechnology allows farmers to more accurately target the specific pests/weeds attacking their farms, reducing the need for pesticides/herbicides.

Herbicide-tolerant biotech crops have drastically reduced the need for tillage – agricultural preparation of the soil by plowing, ripping or turning it. With no-till farming, the usage of machinery in fields and farms is drastically reduced, resulting in significantly reduced greenhouse emissions from farm equipment.

ABout usB the United soybean Board (UsB) is a farmer-led organization comprised of 68 farmer-directors. Working with independent academic researchers affiliated with the national institutes of Health (niH) and academic institutions, UsB has invested millions of dollars into health and nutrition research related to soy. soybean farmers take pride in producing one of the healthiest food crops in the world.

ABout QuAlisoy™

QUAlisoY™ is a collaborative effort among the soybean industry to help market the development and availability of healthier soybeans and soy oil, reduce environmental impacts of livestock production through improved soybean meal, and improve the global competitiveness of the U.s. soybean industry.

to learn more, please visit UsB’s soyConnection.com or QUAlisoY.com.

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