Biotechnology An Introduction to the World!

1. BiotechnologyAn Introduction to the World! by John Rist& Irene Benson Viborg High School South Dakota State University * College of Agriculture & Biological Sciences * Cooperative Extension Service

2. Introduction Enduring Understanding • Biotechnology and its applications can be used to solve world problems. Essential Questions • What are the current uses and purposes for biotechnology in animal science? • What bio-ethical issues are facing the world as a result of biotechnology? • How can biotechnology be used to solve world problems? South Dakota State University * College of Agriculture & Biological Sciences * Cooperative Extension Service

3. Genes by DesignAn Introduction to Food Biotechnology by Sharon Guthmiller, Cheryl Jacobs, and Lavonne Meyer South Dakota State University FCS Extension Educators

4. A. Definitions of Food Biotechnology… • Includes both the traditional forms of fermentation and crossbreeding • The use of living organisms to move specific desirable traits from one organism to another South Dakota State University * College of Agriculture & Biological Sciences * Cooperative Extension Service

5. B. Traditional and Conventional Methods… • Date back to the first attempts (8000 BC) to improve the food supply (saving best seeds) • Include yeast and fermentation processes (using microorganisms to create different foods) • Include crossbreeding and hybridization (to create superior plants or animals) South Dakota State University * College of Agriculture & Biological Sciences * Cooperative Extension Service

6. C. Conventional & traditional crossbreeding methods… • Had their beginnings with Gregor Mendel’s discovery in 1860 of dominant and recessive heredity traits in crossbreeding peas • Can be inexact and time consuming • Have led to development of seedless grapes, tangerines, and nectarines through conventional breeding and physiology South Dakota State University * College of Agriculture & Biological Sciences * Cooperative Extension Service

7. One example…How would you select for a medium sized red rose, enhanced with white, with a yellow center? • This would be a very slow process by natural selection methods! South Dakota State University * College of Agriculture & Biological Sciences * Cooperative Extension Service

8. D. Biotechnology today… • Is a precise scientific process including techniques to obtain genetically engineered or transgenic plants and animals. (Gene Splicing) • Involves gene transfer from one organism to another. • Provides tools to help combat disease, fight hunger, promote human health, and protect the environment. • Uses DNA and recombinant DNA. South Dakota State University * College of Agriculture & Biological Sciences * Cooperative Extension Service

9. E. Biotechnology advances… • 1970s- the discovery that a soil bacterium causes disease in plants by transferring its own DNA intothe plant. • 1982- insulin used in the treatment of diabetes is from one of the first genetically engineered organisms. By inserting a human gene into the genetic code of a bacterium, researchers found they could generate a consistent, reliable source of insulin. South Dakota State University * College of Agriculture & Biological Sciences * Cooperative Extension Service

10. F. Fighting disease… • Interferon used for the treatment of cancer, heart disease, and anemia is a genetically engineered product • Genetically engineered foods have potential to offer higher levels of antioxidant vitamins to reduce risk of disease. South Dakota State University * College of Agriculture & Biological Sciences * Cooperative Extension Service

11. G. Human health… • In the not-too-distant future, many foods may be genetically engineered to deliver higher proteins, vitamins, and minerals. • Golden rice is an example of this. The rice contains beta-carotene, a precursor of vitamin A. Vitamin A deficiency affects 230 million children throughout the world. It is hoped this product can help alleviate the problems associated with vitamin A deficiency. South Dakota State University * College of Agriculture & Biological Sciences * Cooperative Extension Service

12. H. Genetically engineered foods… 1. Must be labeled only if they differ significantly from the traditional plant or food. • For example: if the nutritional value is altered or the potential to cause an allergic reaction is altered. 2. Include tomatoes, potatoes, canola, corn, soybeans, and sugar beets. South Dakota State University * College of Agriculture & Biological Sciences * Cooperative Extension Service

13. I. Regulatory Agencies… 1. FDA (Food and Drug Administration) is responsible for holding plant varieties to the safety standard of any traditional food product. • Consults with developers to ensure that foods derived from new plant varieties are safe to eat. • Provides guidance on needed information to insure food safety South Dakota State University * College of Agriculture & Biological Sciences * Cooperative Extension Service

14. Regulatory Agencies cont… 2. USDA-APHIS(USDA Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service) regulates the safe field testing of new genetically engineered plant varieties. • Time from research starting on a new genetically engineered plant until it receives clearance could take up to 10 years. • APHIS has strict rules about how lab and field trials are conducted. Materials must be incinerated when the project is completed! South Dakota State University * College of Agriculture & Biological Sciences * Cooperative Extension Service

15. Regulatory Agencies cont… 3. EPA(Environmental Protection Agency) has authority over all new pesticides. This includes all new genetically engineered plants that produce their own protection against pests. • Considers human safety, effectiveness on the target pest, impact on the environment, and endangered species before registering a new product. South Dakota State University * College of Agriculture & Biological Sciences * Cooperative Extension Service

16. J. Future crops and foods may include: 1. Release and acceptance of golden rice as part of the answer to vitamin A deficiency concerns. 2. Wheat grown to eliminate allergic reactions. 3. Edible vaccines in fruits such as bananas. 4. Pharmaceuticals synthesized in corn. South Dakota State University * College of Agriculture & Biological Sciences * Cooperative Extension Service

17. K. Concerns and controversies… • Are the food safety issues being met? • What are the regulatory processes that genetically engineered food must adhere to before approval? • Have enough long-term studies been done toverify safety? South Dakota State University * College of Agriculture & Biological Sciences * Cooperative Extension Service

18. Concerns and controversies cont… 4. Have potential dangers to the environment and genetic resources had enough study to merit total acceptance? • Examples: the monarch butterfly, StarLink corn, creation of a “super weed”, etc. South Dakota State University * College of Agriculture & Biological Sciences * Cooperative Extension Service

19. Concerns and controversies cont… 5. Other concerns & controversies: • Labeling of genetically engineered food • Social issues • Economic and trade issues • Religious issues • Ethics South Dakota State University * College of Agriculture & Biological Sciences * Cooperative Extension Service

20. L. The future… • Biotechnology, for the most part, has been readily accepted and welcomed as a new science for products today. It offers hope for 1) food security, 2) better nutrition, 3) healthier individuals, and 4) resistance to disease world-wide. South Dakota State University * College of Agriculture & Biological Sciences * Cooperative Extension Service

21. M. Reasons for continued search for answers… • To provide answers to questions about the effect of biotechnology and it’s effects on the environment, society, economy, and ethics. • To verify that food biotechnology is a vital link in the continual process of improvement of foods. • To ultimately be accepted or rejected by the consumer. South Dakota State University * College of Agriculture & Biological Sciences * Cooperative Extension Service

22. Conclusion… • Biotechnology has been accepted in the laboratories and the farm fields. • If it will be readily accepted in the grocery store and on your dining room table, is up to you. • “Genes by Design” empowers you with knowledge about biotechnology and will help you make critical decisions about how biotechnology will affect you in the future. South Dakota State University * College of Agriculture & Biological Sciences * Cooperative Extension Service

23. Resources: • South Dakota State University Ag Research • Websites: Iowa State University http://www.biotech.iastate.edu/National Agricultural Library http://www.nal.usda.gov/bic/ • South Dakota State University class Plant Science 593 Agriculture Biotechnology South Dakota State University * College of Agriculture & Biological Sciences * Cooperative Extension Service