Biotech crops

Since the commercial introduction of biotech crops, a need has emerged for analytical methods capable of detecting the novel DNA sequences introduced into the plant genome and also methods for detecting the protein products expressed by the... 

The PCR technique is very useful during all stages of the research and development of biotech crops. PCR analysis is used for gene discovery, event selection, screening, transformant identification, line selection and plant breeding. Quantitative real-time PCR is used to determine the number of transgene copies inserted in experimental... 

PCR is used to support regulatory submissions. For example, a petition for nonregu-lated stams for a biotech crop must contain the following information ... 

Geniella, M. (2004). Mendocino County Voters Ban Biotech Crops. THE PRESS DEMOCRAT. www.oacc.info/Issues/mendocino ban mar04.html Accessed July 12,... 

Understanding the molecular genetics of plant natural product pathways facilitates the engineering of these pathways for plant improvement and human benefit (see Chapter by Halkier et al). This chapter focuses attention on the need to start applying genomics technology to exotic species for development of biotech crops with novel natural products and with improved pest resistance and increased nutritional value. 

The National Academy of Sciences Institute of Medicine Concluded that biotech crops pose risks similar to other domesticated crops... 

Over 85 percent of domestic foods are estimated to contain biotech crops. Whether, or how, to label GMO-containing foods has been an issue since their initial introduction. The EPA, which rules on safety and use of... 

Figure 11.6 Global sales of conventional and biotech crop protection (in billion US dollars at distributor level). (Source. Uttley, N., 2003.)...

Biotech Com Found in Taco Shells Monarch Butterfly Doomed from Biotech Crop... 

US DA. US Biotech Crop Plantings Fact Sheet - A Precis From The USDA Report, http // usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/reports/nassr/field/ pcp-bba/acrg0604.txt 2004. 

Labeling thresholds have been set to 0% for unapproved biotech crops (zero tolerance), 0.5% threshold for crops evaluated positively scientifically that have not received final approval through the European Commission, and 0.9% for approved biotech crops. The 0.5% for crops assessed positively scientifically is temporary approval for a period of three years. 

It also requires each biotech crop to have a unique identifier. The format of the identifier is regulated in Regulation 2004/65/EC. 

There are a few other novelties in the regulations Before 2003/1829/EC came into force, applications for new biotech crops could be made in any EC member states country. The assessment was made (and approved) in that country and was binding for any other EC member state. The assessments were apparently made differently with different stringency by member countries. The newly established European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) was tasked with harmonizing this simation. Every new application for biotech crops must now go directly to the EFSA for assessment and approval. This is laid down in 2003/1829/EC (9) ... 

In addition, it has become mandatory for companies or organizations wanting to have their biotech crops approved in Europe to provide reference material as well as a specific detection method. This is then tested and validated by ENGL, the European Network of GMO Laboratories, coordinated by the Community Reference Laboratory of the Joint Research Centre in Ispra, Italy. This is laid down in Regulation 2003/1829/EC ... 

This information has to be retained for five years. Once approved through the scientific committee and the European Commission, a biotech crop can be freely traded and, depending on its status, grown in Europe. 

Globally, the European Union (EU) has the most comprehensive regulations on biotech products. The new regulations, 2000/1829/EC and 2003/1830/EC, were meant to end the de facto moratorium of the EU member states, which until then lasted for four years. However, a small number of new products have been approved until now. European consumers reluctantance to accept biotech crops may need to be reevaluated a few years from now, when economic conditions are likely to have changed in Europe, but currentiy, very few products declared to contain products derived from transgenic organisms will be found in supermarkets. 

With the continued growth of biotech crops in most countries, any product containing soy, maize, canola, or cotton derivatives has a potential of containing proteins and/or... 

Notably, 63% of biotech maize, 78% of biotech cotton, and 37% of aU biotech crops in... 

Kok EJ, Kuiper HA. 2003. Comparative safety assessment for biotech crops. Trends Biotechnol 21 439—444. 

Barriers associated with the utilization of agricultural infrastructure for production are large, but not necessarily insurmountable. Identity preservation of PHA crops needs to be provided within the infrastructure and could potentially be quite costly. Transportation and storage infrastructure must be appropriate for identity preservation as well as polymer quality preservation. Depending on the crop, climate changes could also potentially impact yield and polymer structure. And finally there is the political barrier of managing public opinion on biotech crops. All of these issues are outside the scope of this analysis, but could be more important than the technical issues when considering overall production costs. 

Role of Composition and Animal Feeding Studies in the Safety Assessment of Biotech Crops... 

Astwood, J. D., Fuchs, R. L. Status and safety of biotech crops. In Agrochemical Discovery — Insect, Weed and Fungal Control. Baker, D. R., Umetsu, N. K., E tors ACS Symposium Series 774, Amercian Chemcial Society, Washington, DC, 2001 pp. 152-164. 

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