Međunarodni kongres BRAŠNO . KRUH ‘03Međunarodni kongres BRAŠNO . KRUH ‘03Opatija, 19-22. 11. 2003.Opatija, 19-22. 11. 2003.

Treba li Hrvatskoj Treba li Hrvatskoj

genetički modificirana genetički modificirana hrana?hrana?Marijan JoštMarijan Jošt

Visoko gospodarsko učilište u KriževcimaVisoko gospodarsko učilište u Križevcima

Does Croatia need Does Croatia need genetically modified genetically modified

food?food?Marijan JoštMarijan Jošt

Agricultural College Križevci, Agricultural College Križevci, CroatiaCroatia

International Congress FLOUR-BREAD ‘03

Opatija, November 19 – 22, 2003

Status of GE todayStatus of GE today____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

As commercial GM products have been deployed since 1996, there is still considerable debate and uncertainty over their impacts on health, environment, industrial structures and market power.

The US - EU conflictThe US - EU conflict__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The deep-seated cultural differences towards science, technology and government regulation between US and EU consumers, trade disputes focusing on GM products will be particularly difficult to resolve.

Data on commercial application in Data on commercial application in agriculture:agriculture:

GLOBAL AREA OF TRANSGENIC CROPS GLOBAL AREA OF TRANSGENIC CROPS BY YEAR (million hectares)BY YEAR (million hectares)

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001

Data on commercial application in Data on commercial application in agriculture:agriculture:

GLOBAL AREA OF TRANSGENIC CROPS GLOBAL AREA OF TRANSGENIC CROPS IN 2001 BY COUNTRYIN 2001 BY COUNTRY (in %) (in %)

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

USA Argentina Canada China Others

Data on commercial application in agriculture:Data on commercial application in agriculture:

GLOBAL AREA OF TRANSGENIC GLOBAL AREA OF TRANSGENIC CROPS IN 2001 BY CROPCROPS IN 2001 BY CROP (in %) (in %)

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Soybean Maize Cotton Canola Others

Data on commercial application in Data on commercial application in agriculture:agriculture:

GLOBAL AREA OF TRANSGENIC GLOBAL AREA OF TRANSGENIC CROPS IN 2001 BY TRAITCROPS IN 2001 BY TRAIT (in %) (in %)

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

Herbicidetolerance

Insect resist.(Bt)

Bt/Herbicidetolerance

Virus resist./ Other

Claims of biotechnology:Claims of biotechnology:__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

1.1. GE is precise and safe.GE is precise and safe.

2.2. GE is necessary to feed the GE is necessary to feed the World.World.

3.3. GE will protect the environment GE will protect the environment by lower use of herbicides and by lower use of herbicides and pesticides.pesticides.

4.4. GE food is like natural food.GE food is like natural food.

5.5. GE is extension of traditional GE is extension of traditional crossbreeding.crossbreeding.

Ad 1Ad 1 GE is far to be GE is far to be preciseprecise__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Transfer of artificial gene complex is Transfer of artificial gene complex is random, and error prone.random, and error prone.

Scientists are not able to define a Scientists are not able to define a destination: destination:

- chromosome, - chromosome,

- location on it, - location on it,

- nor its neighbour gene in a new - nor its neighbour gene in a new host cellhost cell

Somaclonal variation is common during Somaclonal variation is common during cell multiplication in tissue culture.cell multiplication in tissue culture.

… … and GE is not safeand GE is not safe__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

There has not been enough time for There has not been enough time for accumulating sufficient experience to accumulating sufficient experience to justify any claim to safety. justify any claim to safety.

VectorVector is a modified pathogen virus or bacterium, is a modified pathogen virus or bacterium, able to restore its pathogenicity. able to restore its pathogenicity.

PromoterPromoter (CaMV 35S) is closely related to human (CaMV 35S) is closely related to human hepatitis B virus. It has ‘hot spot’ prone to hepatitis B virus. It has ‘hot spot’ prone to recombination with other DNA fragments, silent recombination with other DNA fragments, silent DNA etc, capable to create new pathogene viruses.DNA etc, capable to create new pathogene viruses.

MarkerMarker (ABR gene) is responsible for (ABR gene) is responsible for development of new multi-antibiotic resistant development of new multi-antibiotic resistant patogenic bacteria. The presence of antibiotics patogenic bacteria. The presence of antibiotics resistant genes increase the frequency of resistant genes increase the frequency of horizontal gene transfer 10 to 10 000 fold.horizontal gene transfer 10 to 10 000 fold.

……GE is based on 40 GE is based on 40 years old years old ‘Central Dogma’: ‘Central Dogma’: 1 gene = 1 protein 1 gene = 1 protein

Project of Human Genome (2001) Project of Human Genome (2001) :: On basis of about 100 000 proteins in human body, On basis of about 100 000 proteins in human body,

100 000 genes were expected, but only 30 000 genes 100 000 genes were expected, but only 30 000 genes are determined!?are determined!?

Genetic informtion arises not from DNA alone Genetic informtion arises not from DNA alone

but through its essential collaboration with but through its essential collaboration with protein enzymes: protein enzymes: Specific cell proteins and Specific cell proteins and ribonucleic acid ansambled in ‘spliceosomes’ can ribonucleic acid ansambled in ‘spliceosomes’ can dictate ‘alternative segregation’ and certain genes can dictate ‘alternative segregation’ and certain genes can code a number of different proteins. A single gene code a number of different proteins. A single gene from the cell of inner ear gives rise to 576 proteins. from the cell of inner ear gives rise to 576 proteins. Nearly 4 000 human genes are alternatively spliced.Nearly 4 000 human genes are alternatively spliced.

Safety problem - a few Safety problem - a few examples:examples:

rBGH in milk production:rBGH in milk production: 7x increased breast cancer 7x increased breast cancer in women and 4x increased prostata cancer in man in women and 4x increased prostata cancer in man (1998).(1998).

Snowdrop lectin and potato, when GE together led to Snowdrop lectin and potato, when GE together led to harmful effectsharmful effects on liver and kindney growth of young on liver and kindney growth of young rats. Responsible CaMV 35S promoter (Pusztai, rats. Responsible CaMV 35S promoter (Pusztai, 1999). 1999).

AllergyAllergy – By adding new protein, which has never – By adding new protein, which has never been a part of human food chain, unknown alergen, been a part of human food chain, unknown alergen, even toxin could be introduced (Bt-corn StarLink, even toxin could be introduced (Bt-corn StarLink, GM soybean with gene from the brazil nut etc.). GM soybean with gene from the brazil nut etc.).

Killer virus Killer virus – created unintentionaly by inserting – created unintentionaly by inserting gene for human interleukin (gene for human interleukin (Il-4Il-4) in virus vector, ) in virus vector, during work on contraceptive vaccine for mice. during work on contraceptive vaccine for mice.

Antibiotic resistant marker genes (ARM): Antibiotic resistant marker genes (ARM): in recent in recent years in the USA, due to food poisoning 325 years in the USA, due to food poisoning 325 thousands seek people and 5 thousands dead were thousands seek people and 5 thousands dead were recorded per year. (WHO report) recorded per year. (WHO report)

Ad 2Ad 2 GE is necessary to feed the GE is necessary to feed the world - Falseworld - False _ _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ _ _______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Facts:Facts: There are at least 815 million There are at least 815 million

undernourished people on the globe (the undernourished people on the globe (the UN report), while…UN report), while…

……the World already produces 50% more the World already produces 50% more food than it needs (WHO). food than it needs (WHO).

(Recently media reported that more than 35 000 (Recently media reported that more than 35 000 sheep were killed per week, because the market sheep were killed per week, because the market was flooded with lamb meat. The hungry people was flooded with lamb meat. The hungry people were not considered worthy of feeding.)were not considered worthy of feeding.)

Hunger is not the result of inadequat food Hunger is not the result of inadequat food supply.supply. It is the result of social and political It is the result of social and political circumtances.circumtances.

Contrary to what has been promised, GM crops Contrary to what has been promised, GM crops do not yield more.do not yield more.

Ad 3Ad 3

GE will protect the GE will protect the environment - Falseenvironment - False______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

‘‘Super-weeds’Super-weeds’ – a weed population can build up – a weed population can build up multiple resistance to herbicides.multiple resistance to herbicides. Today farmers Today farmers growing RR soybeans, or RR canola use 2-5 times growing RR soybeans, or RR canola use 2-5 times more herbicides!more herbicides!

Insect resistance developmentInsect resistance development -European corn borer -European corn borer is developing resistance to Bt-toxin in GE corn. The is developing resistance to Bt-toxin in GE corn. The refugee zones are constantly increased from 5% at refugee zones are constantly increased from 5% at the begeenning, to even 40% now.the begeenning, to even 40% now.

BT toxin has deleterious effect on other beneficial BT toxin has deleterious effect on other beneficial insectsinsects (Green lacewings, ladybugs, monarch (Green lacewings, ladybugs, monarch butterfly etc.)butterfly etc.)

Cotton succeptibilityCotton succeptibility to cotton pipe after only 3-4 to cotton pipe after only 3-4 generation increased and today it needs 3 generation increased and today it needs 3 treatements with insecticides.treatements with insecticides.

Ad 4Ad 4 Is GE food like Is GE food like natural ?natural ? _ _

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ In 1989 the US National Research Council In 1989 the US National Research Council

concluded that crops derived from GE do concluded that crops derived from GE do not differ substantially from those derived not differ substantially from those derived using traditional techniques - principle of using traditional techniques - principle of ‘substantial equivalence’.‘substantial equivalence’.

This conclusion is based on completely This conclusion is based on completely wrong supposition which states that the wrong supposition which states that the introduction of a gene of known and safe introduction of a gene of known and safe function into a crop of known function into a crop of known characteristics is tchnologically neutral, and characteristics is tchnologically neutral, and the resulting crop is presumed to be safe.the resulting crop is presumed to be safe.

Ad 5Ad 5

GE is extension of traditional GE is extension of traditional crossbreeding -crossbreeding - False False ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Traditional crosbreedingTraditional crosbreeding respectsrespects interaction interaction between gene and the environmentbetween gene and the environment

It accepts that all economically important It accepts that all economically important properties of crop result from quantitative properties of crop result from quantitative interaction of not one, but a number of genes interaction of not one, but a number of genes (polygenic inheritance), and environment.(polygenic inheritance), and environment.

It includes different branches of science: It includes different branches of science: quantitative and population genetics.quantitative and population genetics.

Economic effectsEconomic effects________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

GM crops have been an economic disaster GM crops have been an economic disaster in the USA and Canada. It has cost in the USA and Canada. It has cost American economy at least $12 billion American economy at least $12 billion since 1999. due to: farm subsidies, lower since 1999. due to: farm subsidies, lower crop prices and loss of major export crop prices and loss of major export orders.orders.

The latest disaster: In 2002 an area of 30 The latest disaster: In 2002 an area of 30 000 hectares of Bt cotton has been 000 hectares of Bt cotton has been demaged in Maharastra, India due to root demaged in Maharastra, India due to root disease.disease.

Legislation and Legislation and ……__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

__

Integration of Integration of ‘‘the precautionary the precautionary principle’principle’ into the Biosafety protocol into the Biosafety protocol (Convention of Biological Diversity) (Convention of Biological Diversity) iis significant step in protecting s significant step in protecting biological diversity from potential biological diversity from potential hazards related to living modified hazards related to living modified organism (LMO). organism (LMO).

AAccording to the international lawccording to the international law, , llegal value egal value of tof thehe Biosafety Protocol Biosafety Protocol is as strong as WTO rules.is as strong as WTO rules.

… … the public oppinion on the public oppinion on GE foodsGE foods

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

EC Rule 97/35 requires mandatory lEC Rule 97/35 requires mandatory laabebellling of ling of products containing over 0,9 products containing over 0,9 %% GMO. GMO.

While While 92% of Americans support legal 92% of Americans support legal requirement for labelrequirement for labellling GM food…ing GM food…

... Croatian intention to declare itself as ‘GMO ... Croatian intention to declare itself as ‘GMO fee country’ was stopped by pressure from the fee country’ was stopped by pressure from the US US

(memo of (memo of JJ..F. Byrnes, First Secretary in Political-F. Byrnes, First Secretary in Political-Economic Section of U.S. Embassy ZagrebEconomic Section of U.S. Embassy Zagreb, , dated dated November 28November 28, 2001:, 2001:

“ “United States Views on Croatian Interim United States Views on Croatian Interim LegislationLegislation””))

Croatia: Present statusCroatia: Present status Introduction of GMO food and plants are Introduction of GMO food and plants are regulated in 2003 by:regulated in 2003 by: The Law about FoodThe Law about Food The Law about Protection od NatureThe Law about Protection od Nature

NCC for biological safety

Food labeling - about 75% of Croatian people do not accept GM food, and believe that their government has a constitutional duty to respect the people’s desire to know what they eat.

ConclusionConclusion__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

GMO are a huge uncontrolled experiment GMO are a huge uncontrolled experiment whose results can not be forecasted. whose results can not be forecasted.

In case of disaster there is no recovery plan, In case of disaster there is no recovery plan, nor it is known who should be liable for nor it is known who should be liable for negative consequences.negative consequences.

The multinational corporations own a patent The multinational corporations own a patent of life, and want to control global food of life, and want to control global food production.production.

The only solution for Croatia is to foster public The only solution for Croatia is to foster public scientific debate and to delay application of GE scientific debate and to delay application of GE until all fundamental questions are resolved. until all fundamental questions are resolved.