Genetically modified canola

Genetically modified canola is a genetically modified crop. The first strain, Roundup Ready canola, was developed by Monsanto for tolerance to glyphosate, the active ingredient in the commonly used herbicide Roundup.

Genetic modification

Glyphosate is a broad-spectrum herbicide, which is used to kill weeds and grasses which are known to compete with commercial crops grown around the world. The first product came onto the market in the 1970s under the name ‘Roundup’. Plants which are exposed to glyphosate are unable to produce aromatic amino acids and in turn die.^[1]

To produce the Roundup Ready canola, two genes were introduced into the canola genome. One is a gene derived from the common soil bacterium Agrobacterium strain CP4, that encodes for the EPSPS enzyme. The other is a gene from the Ochrobactrum anthropi strain LBAA, which encodes for the enzyme glyphosate oxidase (GOX). The CP4 EPSPS enzyme imparts high tolerance to glyphosate, so the plants can still create aromatic amino acids even after glyphosate is applied. GOX helps break down glyphosate within the plant.^[2]

Regulation

Genetically modified crops undergo a significant amount of regulation throughout the world.

For a GM crop to be approved for release in the US, it must be assessed by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) agency within the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and may also be assessed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Environmental protection agency (EPA), depending on the intended use. The USDA evaluates the plant's potential to become a weed. The FDA regulates crops used as food or animal feed.^[3][4] In Canada, the largest producer of GM canola,^[5] GM crops are regulated by Health Canada, under the Food and Drugs Act, and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency^[6] are responsible for evaluating the safety and nutritional value of genetically modified foods. Environmental assessments of biotechnology-derived plants are carried out by the CFIA's Plant Biosafety Office (PBO).^[7] In Australia Roundup Ready Canola was approved for commercial production in 2003 by the Gene Technology Regulator after undergoing approximately 400 tests and studies to determine it was safe. Food Standards Australia New Zealand also approved this product as being safe for human consumption in the same year.^[8]

Controversy

Controversy exists over the use of food and other goods derived from genetically modified crops instead of from conventional crops, and other uses of genetic engineering in food production. The dispute involves consumers, biotechnology companies, governmental regulators, nongovernmental organizations, and scientists. The key areas of controversy related to GMO foods are whether they should be labeled, the role of government regulators, the objectivity of scientific research and publication, the effect of GM crops on health and the environment, the effect on pesticide resistance, the impact of GM crops for farmers, and the role of GM crops in feeding the world population.

The scientific consensus is broad that food on the market derived from GM crops poses no greater risk than conventional food.^[9][10][11] No reports of ill effects have been documented in the human population from GM food.^[12][13][14] The starting point for assessing the safety of all GM food is to evaluate its substantial equivalence to the unmodified version. Further testing is then done on a case-by-case basis to ensure that concerns over potential toxicity and allergenicity are addressed prior to a GM food being marketed. Although labeling of genetically modified organism (GMO) products in the marketplace is required in 64 countries,^[15] it is not required in the United States and no distinction between marketed GMO and non-GMO foods is recognized by the US FDA.

Advocacy groups such as Greenpeace, the Non-GMO Project, and Organic Consumers Association say that risks of GM food have not been adequately identified and managed, and have questioned the objectivity of regulatory authorities. Opponents say that food derived from GMOs may be unsafe and propose it be banned, or at least labeled. They have expressed concerns about the objectivity of regulators and rigor of the regulatory process, about contamination of the non-GM food supply, about effects of GMOs on the environment and nature, and about the consolidation of control of the food supply in companies that make and sell GMOs.^[16]

Resistances problems

Due to the heavy reliance of glyphosate in agriculture, resistance to this chemical is a problem and is prevalent throughout Australia, the USA, and Canada.^[17][18]

Roundup canola has also emerged as a weed in other crops due to its glyphosate resistance. This is due to canola seed being able to be dormant in the soil for up to 10 years. In California, it has become a significant problem in this way because of the restrictions on phenoxy herbicides being used in the state due to crops such as the sensitivity of cotton and grapes to this chemical.^[19]

References

1. "Glyphosate". orst.edu.
2. Monsanto. "What is Roundup Ready canola?" (PDF). Retrieved 8 November 2013.
3. "Questions & Answers on Food from Genetically Engineered Plants". fda.gov.
4. FDA page on Regulation of GM Plants in Animal Feed
5. GMO Compass Rapeseed 27 July 2010. Retrieved 6 August 2010.
6. Canadian Food Inspection Agency - Regulating Agricultural Biotechnology
7. Genetically Modified Food.
8. "Fact Sheet - GMOs approved for commercial release in Australia: GM Canola". Australian Government. Retrieved 8 November 2013.
9. American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), Board of Directors (2012). Legally Mandating GM Food Labels Could Mislead and Falsely Alarm Consumers
10. Ronald, Pamela (2011). "Plant Genetics, Sustainable Agriculture and Global Food Security". Genetics 188 (1): 11–20. doi:10.1534/genetics.111.128553. PMC 3120150. PMID 21546547.
11. Bett, Charles; Ouma, James Okuro; Groote, Hugo De (August 2010). "Perspectives of gatekeepers in the Kenyan food industry towards genetically modified food". Food Policy 35 (4): 332–340. doi:10.1016/j.foodpol.2010.01.003.
12. American Medical Association (2012). Report 2 of the Council on Science and Public Health: Labeling of Bioengineered Foods
13. United States Institute of Medicine and National Research Council (2004). Safety of Genetically Engineered Foods: Approaches to Assessing Unintended Health Effects. National Academies Press. Free full-text. National Academies Press. See pp11ff on need for better standards and tools to evaluate GM food.
14. Key S, Ma JK, Drake PM (June 2008). "Genetically modified plants and human health". J R Soc Med 101 (6): 290–8. doi:10.1258/jrsm.2008.070372. PMC 2408621. PMID 18515776.
15. Just Label It: Labeling Around the World
16. "Monsanto ready to defend roundup ready canola". The Star Phoenix. 26 October 2004. Retrieved 8 November 2013.
17. "Resisting Roundup". The New York Times. 16 May 2010.
18. Preston, Chris (January 2010). "Roundup Ready Canola and Glyphosate Resistance". Australian Grain 19: 6–7. Retrieved 8 November 2013.
19. Douglas Munier & Kent Brittan, UC Farm Advisors (December 2010). "Roundup ready canola as a resistant weed". Western Farm Press. Retrieved 8 November 2013.