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Genetically Modified Organisms: Benefits & Risks PUB Media Round Table 25 June 2008

Genetically Modified Organisms: Benefits & Risks PUB Media Round Table 25 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;

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Genetically Modified Organisms: Benefits & Risks PUB Media Round Table 25 June 2008

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  1. Genetically Modified Organisms: Benefits & RisksPUB Media Round Table 25 June 2008

  2. 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

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

  4. “…the process by which the scientific culture and its knowledge become incorporated into the common culture” {i.e. a part of our everyday lives} Science Communication… Source: Prof Chris Bryant, Founder of CPAS, Australian National University

  5. Aim of PUB 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

  6. PUB, one of six Biotechnology Instruments in South Africa… Gov Depts NRF SAASTA NBN Cape Biotech LifeLab Plant Bio Biopad Investors End users Public & public opinion

  7. Result of domestication Modern corn Teosinte

  8. 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) Medicale.g. insulin, vaccines, “pharming” Industrial Environmental e.g. bioremediation, Biosure

  9. 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 Benefits Reduced

  10. 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..)

  11. 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

  12. 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) Risks (cont…)

  13. 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 Key GMO issues

  14. 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? Other issues…

  15. Genetic Modification v GM “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

  16. 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

  17. What do consumers say about labelling? (Source: PUB/HSRC Survey, 2004) How often do you read food labels?

  18. 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 butcould be included in 21% for more ingredient info.

  19. 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 SA Area planted with GM crops2007 (Source: Clive James, 2007)

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

  21. 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 The way forward www.pub.ac.za

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