South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement Genetically Modified Organisms: Benefits...

South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement

Genetically Modified Organisms:Benefits & Risks

PUB Media Round Table25 June 2008


• Recommendation of National Biotechnology Strategy (2001);

• Launched in early 2003 (2 year pilot & review);• Funded by DST & implemented by SAASTA;• Neutral mandate: factual & balanced;• Wide mandate: all biotech to everyone;• Awareness, dialogue & education;• Innovative, creative, multi communication;• Easy, accessible language & translation.

PUB intro & credentials


SAASTA Mandate

To promote public awareness, appreciation and engagement of science, engineering and

technology (SET).

SAASTA is the official vehicle for facilitating the promotion of SET in SA society, and was

incorporated into the NRF in December 2002

SAASTA is a a Business Unit of the National Research Foundation (NRF)


Science Communication…

“…the process by which the scientific culture and its knowledge become

incorporated into the common culture” {i.e. a part of our everyday lives}

Source: Prof Chris Bryant, Founder of CPAS, Australian National University


To promote a credible, fact based understanding of biotechnology to enable

informed decisions making on biotech innovations to improve the quality of life, through awareness, dialogue & education

Aim of PUB


CapeBiotech

LifeLabPlantBio

NRF

SAASTA

NBN Biopad

Gov Depts

Investors

End users

Public & public opinion

PUB, one of six Biotechnology Instruments in South Africa…


Result of domestication

Modern cornTeosinte


Use of GMOs• Agriculture (food)

– increase yield– Reducing threat (pests & diseases i.e.

Resistant to insects, fungal & virus tolerant)– nutrient enriched– herbicide tolerance– stress tolerance (salt/drought/frost)– livestock health (vaccines)

• Medical e.g. insulin, vaccines, “pharming”• Industrial • Environmental e.g. bioremediation, Biosure


Benefits

• Use of pesticides i.e. herbicides/insecticides & exposure so overall healthier

• Costs (water/labour/fuel)• Co2 emissions• environmental impact - targets pests only &

bioremediation (less blanket spraying)• yield losses due to pest damage• post harvest losses• Reduce loss of top soil due to reduced tillage

Reduced


Increased:• Yield/food security – more food from less land &

healthier livestock (better vaccines & pest control)• Improved seed quality & safety e.g. mycotoxins• Increased use of marginal lands e.g. Dry areas• Identification & reduction in allergens e.g. gene

knockout technology;• Micronutrient enriched crops e.g. golden rice;

Benefits (cont..)


Risks• Environmental

– Increased use of pesticides;– Impact on non-target beneficial organisms &

biodiversity (direct & indirect);– Horizontal gene flow (superweeds)/organics);– Pest resistance – (as for all pest management)

• Food safety/health– Antibiotic resistant marker genes (phasing out)– Impact of foreign DNA– Unexpected effects (e.g. toxins, allergens,

nutritional content)


Risks (cont…)• Socio-economic

– Cost for SSF (technology fee, no replanting - hybrids)

– Control, power & responsibility over technology

– Trade issues/globalization

• Ethical– Lack of independent long term research – Crossing the species barrier – playing God?– Patenting v substantial equivalence– Consumer knowledge & attitudes– Labelling issue (religious/dietary

implications)


Key GMO issues• Complex, polarized international issue – strong feeling

& vested interests/agendas;• Genetic modification versus GMOs;• Opinions based on more than scientific fact (context);• Claims - myths, facts, contradiction but no right

answer;• South African context unique;• Public participation & access to information (labelling);• Feeding the world (supply, demand & delivery);• Role of the media (good reporting versus good

stories);• Tool box theory: GM, organics, hydroponics, no till etc


Other issues…

• Context affects perception of risks & benefits;• Evolution of claims;• Economically important crops v minor local

crops;• Multinationals v public/local research;• Genomic revolution – could GM technology

become obsolete?• Coexistence – why or why not?


“No conceptual distinction exists between genetic

modification of plants and microorganisms by

classical methods or by molecular techniques that modify DNA and transfer

genes.”

National Research Council, USA

Genetic Modification v GM


“We have recently advanced our knowledge of genetics to a point

where we can manipulate life in a way never intended by nature.

We must proceed with the utmost caution in the application of this new-

found knowledge.”

Luther Burbank

Genetic Modification v GM


22.69

10.42

10.63

15.64

3.72

20.77

1.42

10.46

4.24

0 5 10 15 20 25

Percentage of respondents

Universities

Consumer Organizations

Environmental Groups

Government

Religious Organizations

Media

Industry

Don't know

None

Info

rmat

ion

So

urc

e

TRUST: Who is trusted as truthful information source for biotechnology? (PUB/HSRC Survey 2004)

South African Agency for Science and Technology AdvancementWhat do consumers say about

labelling? (Source: PUB/HSRC Survey, 2004)

51%

23%27%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

Seldom/Never

Often/Always

Sometimes

How often do you read food labels?


Food labels(Source: PUB/HSRC survey 2004)

• 51% don’t read food labels – those who do usually (23%) are more negative;

• Higher LSM groups more likely to read food labels (37%) compared to moderate (21%) LSM groups;

• Low percentage want GM info but could be included in 21% for more ingredient info.


3

1

9.5

21

1

3

1

1

21

15.6

22

0 5 10 15 20 25

Percentage of respondents

Pesticide content

GMO content

Fat content

Health benefits

Grown locally

Country of origin

Certified organic

Irradiation

Ingredients

Other

Don't know

Desired information on food labels (PUB/HSRC 2004)


SA Area planted with GM crops2007

• White maize: 1, 040 million hectares, 62% crop

• Yellow maize: 567 000 hectares, 52% crop

• Soybean: 144 000 hectares, 80% crop

• Cotton: 10 000 hectares, 90% crop (90% small scale

farmers)

• Total Area : 1,8 million hectares(Source: Clive James, 2007)


Global Area (Million Hectares) of Biotech Crops, 2007:Global Area (Million Hectares) of Biotech Crops, 2007:by Countryby Country


The way forward

• Access to comprehensive, factual information from credible sources to promote understanding;

• Informed decision making?;• Integrity of research;• Transparent, trustworthy regulation & safety

measures;• Consultation - public participation & input• Consumer benefit & choice

www.pub.ac.za

South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement Genetically Modified Organisms: Benefits...

Documents

Transcript of South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement Genetically Modified Organisms: Benefits...