Projectmanagement en communicatieve vaardigheden Tussenrapport

GMOs in Belgium, a state of affairs

Opdrachtgever: ir. Suzy Eeckelaerts Projectbegeleider: Mevr. Ingrid Geirnaert Projectmanager: ir. Evelyne Wirix Voorbereidingsfase: 13/10/2011 - 14/11/2012 Opleiding agro- en biotechnologie Academiejaar: 2011-2012

Projectgroep 4 Niels Cleren Jens Devoght Alexander Leyssen Raisa Swinnen Katlijne Vandebrouck 2de jaar Biotechnologie

Table of contents

Table of contents ................................................................................................................................... 2 Summary ................................................................................................................................................ 4 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 5 EU list of GMOs ..................................................................................................................................... 6 Genetically modified maize .................................................................................................................. 6 Bt-maize ........................................................................................................................................... 6 Herbicide resistant maize ................................................................................................................ 6 Authorized use ................................................................................................................................. 6 Genetically modified cotton ................................................................................................................. 6 Authorized use ................................................................................................................................. 6 Oilseed rape ........................................................................................................................................ 7 Types, use and modifications .......................................................................................................... 7 Potatoes............................................................................................................................................... 7 Types, use and modifications .......................................................................................................... 7 Genetic modified soy ........................................................................................................................... 7 Legislation .............................................................................................................................................. 7 Belgium ................................................................................................................................................ 7 Europe ................................................................................................................................................. 7 The Task of Flanders. .......................................................................................................................... 8 Wallonia. .............................................................................................................................................. 8 Cartagena. ........................................................................................................................................... 8 Outside Europe .................................................................................................................................... 8 United States ....................................................................................................................................... 8 Australia and New Zealand ................................................................................................................. 9 Asia ...................................................................................................................................................... 9 Africa.................................................................................................................................................... 9 Labeling and detection ......................................................................................................................... 9 Methods ............................................................................................................................................... 9 Shortcomings of current detection methods ........................................................................................ 9 Good or Bad? The big question. ........................................................................................................ 10 What about our health? ..................................................................................................................... 10 Results for biodiversity ...................................................................................................................... 10 Can we play God? ............................................................................................................................. 10 More yield .......................................................................................................................................... 10 Better quality ...................................................................................................................................... 10 Banning famine out ............................................................................................................................ 10

Literature list ........................................................................................................................................ 11 Planning ................................................................................................................................................ 13

Summary
Moet nog geschreven worden.

Tabellen, figuren en leuke weetjes moeten nog toegevoegd worden aan de tekst. Nummering en lay-out is in een voorlopige versie aanwezig, maar moeten nog aangepast worden.

Introduction
Moet nog geschreven worden

EU list of GMOs
Genetically modified maize The genetically modified maize which is available on the market up to now, has got two interesting characteristics present for agriculture: insect and herbicide resistance. Bt-maize To create an insect resistant maize plant, a gene is inserted from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) into the crops DNA. This bacterium is naturally present in the soil and produces proteins that are toxic for insects. The toxin is formed in the digestive tract of the insects by their own metabolic reactions to the proteins. The gene which is inserted into maize operates efficient against the European maize stem borer or pyraloidea. The insects live also in Belgium. Bt-maize has the advantage of protecting the crop from the inside and the outer surface as well against insect damage. Chemical control hereby lacks efficiency because the larva is mainly located in the stem. The insect is unreachable for the chemical spraying. Within the wounds of the plants ,which are made by the eating insects, fungi may grow. These fungi can secrete mycotoxins which are harmful to humans and animals.

Herbicide resistant maize There are currently two types of herbicide-resistant maize available on the market. One is resistant to glufosinate and the other to glyphosate. These herbicides each interfere with the amino acid and protein synthesis of plants, which causes a plants death. Because these herbicides affect almost all plants, they are called notselectively. By making the maize plant resistance to the herbicide, the possibility rises to use the herbicide against rising weeds without damaging the plant Glufosinate-resistant maize contains a gene from the soil bacterium Streptomyces viridochromogenes or S. hygroscopicus. Glyphosateresistant maize contains a gene from the soil bacterium Agrobacterium or from Achromobacter species. The use of non-selective herbicides leaves less residue behind in the soil. Also the mechanical weed control drops, which reduces erosion. (Toepassing van biotechnologie, 2009), (Food-info, 2011) Authorized use The maize may be used as food additive, feed material and feed additive. The uses are similar to any other maize, but it may not be used for cultivation. The modified maize is thereby mainly imported.
(FAVV, 2011)

Genetically modified cotton To reduce reliance on chemical pesticides genetically modified cotton has been developed. This is worldwide cultivated. Genetically modified cotton requires up to 80% less pesticide usage in comparison with conventional cotton. (Wikipedia, 2011) Genetically modified cotton is a worldwide produced crop. Long since 2007 more than 15 million hectares are cultivated with modified cotton. This counts for more than 43% of the cotton produced in the world. The cotton comes mainly from the United States and India but also grown in China, Argentina, South Africa, Australia, Mexico, and Columbia. The genetically modified cotton which is produced in China, contains a substance (Bt-toxin) that protects cotton against insect pests. Especially a few types of caterpillars are problematic. This because these insects bore into cotton bolls reducing yield and compromising quality. Cotton used to be protected from insects by repeated pesticide applications. Btcotton reduces pesticide use for the Chinese farmers. Authorized use The modified cotton is used for seed oil, feed material, feed additive and food additive. A protein-rich cottonseed meal is mostly used as an animal feed. Applications for approval of

the production of genetically modified cotton have been submitted but not yet approved. The imported modified cotton which is already approved, is used in food and feed.
(GMO Compass, 2008), (FAVV, 2011), (Wikipedia, 2011)

Oilseed rape Types, use and modifications There are three different types of genetically modified oilseed rapes, which are allowed in Europe. The first type has been made resistant against the herbicide glyphosate. Glyphosate is a herbicide that inhibits EPSPS (5enolpyruvylshikimate-3phosphate synthase). This is a chloroplast enzyme that is involved with the biosynthesis of essential aromatic amino acids. The European commission permits the use of this type of oilseed rape for the production of refined oil and food additives. Also feed that is made of or contains this type of oilseed rape is allowed. Only the cultivation of products that contain this type of oilseed rape is prohibited. Another type of oilseed rape is the Swede-rape. Swede-rape has been genetically modified to become glufosinate ammonium tolerant. Glufosinate ammonium is an active ingredient in several.herbicides. It inhibits the activity of an enzyme called glutamine synthetase, which is necessary for the

production of glutamine and for ammonia detoxification. The Swede-rape contains also other inserted genes, namely the Barnase- and the Barstar gene. These genes lead to lack of viable pollen and male sterility. The rules of use of the first type also apply to this type. The last type of oilseed rape has been genetically modified to become glufosinate ammonium tolerant. This type of oilseed is allowed in food, feed and other products.
(Jewell, Buffin, 2001) (European Union Food safety, 2011) (Smets, 2011)

demand a strong and clear regulation concerning these modified organisms. Belgium In Belgium, regulations concerning GMOs are under the jurisdiction of the different regions, as they are part of the agricultural policy. The regions can make their own laws, but are also bound by European regulations. Europe European law on genetic modified organisms is generally accepted as the most complete and strict in the world. This law originated in 1990. The European union started working on a law that was applied in all member states. The law creates a framework for all GGOtechnologies, starting at the production of organisms in laboratories and ending at the products available in stores. Even supervision after commercialisation is included in these regulations. The creation and evolution of this European law took place in two phases. The first phase started in the nineties when two instructions were installed. The first instruction regulated the introduction of GMOs in the environment. This introduction applies to testing fields and commercialisation. The second regulation concerned the production end development of GMO crops in laboratories.

Potatoes Types, use and modifications There is only one type of genetically modified potato allowed in Europe. This type of potato contains an inhibited gbss gene, which is responsible for amylase biosynthesis. As a result the starch has no or little amylase and consists of amylopectin. It may be used for food, feed and cultivation.
(European Union Food safety, 2011) Actueel artikelstuk moet worden ingevoegd

Genetic modified soy Stuk volgt

Legislation
Genetic modified organisms are a much discussed subject among people. Even more if theyre meant to enter the food chain. People

The second phase modernised the two instructions that were declared some 10 years earlier. A direct consequence of these instructions is the traceability of food and feed that include GMOs. This is done by mandatory reference of GMO-products on the labels. Hereby it is possible to trace every GMO or GMO-product from production to consumption. Although the European law on these GMOs is the most complete available, it does not include the coexistence of GMO-cultures and traditional plant-breeds on nearby fields. The Task of Flanders. This is where the Flanders comes into the game (as stated earlier, in Belgium, the regions are responsible for the agricultural policy). In 2009, the Flemish government has emitted a decree that provides the necessary regulations concerning the coexistence of these cultures. This decree states that every farmer is free to cultivate GMOs, conventional breeds or biological breeds. But it also states some terms the farmer has to comply to. The farmer is obliged to take some specific courses, making sure he is able to breed GMO-breeds. The farmer is also obliged to inform the authorities. Furthermore, the Flemish government concludes on specific conditions, dependant on the place of

the field and the kind of breed. These conditions are determined by the commission co-existence of conventional, biological and genetic modified breeds. The decree also includes a monitoring system of all farmers, cultivating GMOs, and the specific breeds. Wallonia. In Wallonia, the policy is even stricter. They designed regulations, as strict as the European law permits. Hereby it is possible to create some regions totally free of GMO products, on demand of the local farmers. Also the farmer is obliged to provide some scientific argumentation for the breeding of genetic modified plants. At the moment, there are no GMOs bred in Wallonia, but the decree fills a juridical gap in the regulations. Cartagena. In 1992, the world leaders agreed on a treaty that protects biodiversity. This treaty is called the Protocol of Cartagena. In Belgium, this protocol is applied since 2004. The treaty also includes measures taken to prevent negative effect, provided by GMOs, on the health, population and environment. These measures are transformed in specific safety procedures for packaging and transport of GMOs.

Outside Europe When were talking about genetic modified organisms, the European Union wields a precautionary principle. In other words, better safe than sorry. In the United States, a different, product oriented, approach is used. This means that GMOs and GMO-products are generally acknowledged as safe, until proven otherwise. This example demonstrates the great, and sometimes subtle differences in approach and regulations of GMO-products. United States This acknowledgment concerning the safety of GMO-products is part of the responsibility of three agencies. Approval of at least two of these agencies is required for release. The final approval for release however, can still be denied by the counties. The three agencies in subject are the USDA, the FDA and the EPA. The USDA (United States Departement of Agriculture) evaluates the potential of the genetically modified plants to become weeds. In other words, the potential for a uncontrolled wide spread of the plant. The second agency, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) collects specific information on the possible effects of the GMO entering or altering the food chain and supply.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates substances with herbicide characteristics. Hereby the potential threats for either the environment or human health are watched closely. Australia and New Zealand The Australian Law is very strict, as it only permits the growth genetically modified cotton and canola. And even yet, some states placed bans on planting these GMO crops. In New Zealand, no GMOs, designed for food are grown, but some are imported. When talking about medicines, only medicines manufactured using GMOs are approved. Medicines containing live GMOs are not allowed. Asia The largest producers of GMOs in Asia are India and China. This is remarkable, as India only grows genetic modified cotton. In china, more GMOs are allowed. Apart from China and India, the only other Asian country growing GMOs is the Phillipenes. Africa In Africa, a strong policy concerning GMOs is not available in most countries. South Africa, the largest producer of GMOs in Africa, and both Burkina Faso and Egypt, who produce smaller amounts, were the only ones to have some regulations. This changed in 2011, when Kenya passed laws that allowed production and importation of genetic

modified crops.
(Wikipedia, 2011) (Federale overheidsdienst Volksgezondheid, veiligheid van de voedselketen en leefmilieu, 2011)

Labeling and detection

The key objective of the EU legislation on GMOs is the protection of human and animal health and the environment as well. A GMO or a food or feed derived from it may only be introduced into the EU market after authorization. This includes the methods of detection and the identification of the transformation also within the food or feed. Furthermore the EU legislation aims to provide information to consumers by mandatory GM labeling. This counts for all the food and feed which contain or are derived from genetic modified organisms. Therefore GMO analysis plays a key role for appropriate labeling and detection of (un)approved GMOs.
(European Union Reference Laboratory for GM Food & Feed, 2011)

on polymerase chain reaction (PCR). PCR is a technique for isolating and exponentially amplifying predetermined fragments of DNA. The target sequences will be created in high concentration and can easily be visualized after purifying by gel electrophoreses. This technique will separate DNA fragments by differences in length. The visualization happens by adding dying colors or fluorescent markers. The results of the test are compared with control samples and a fingerprint with a conclusion can be made for a crop. Figuur volgt Another analyzing technique is the use of microarrays. These are also known as gene chips. A collection of DNA spots with different specific sequences are attached to the surface of the chip. The plant DNA which is analyzed will bind a complementary fragment on the chip. Because of the known sequences on the chip the genetic composition of the analyzed plant can be concluded. The visualization of the fragments is similar to gel electrophoreses.

Methods The detection can be quantitative or qualitative. A quantitative analysis is used for measuring the amounts of transgene DNA present in food or feed. A qualitative analysis tests whether or not a specific modification is present. The most methods for detection and identification of genetic modifications rely

Figuur volgt
Shortcomings of current detection methods As earlier said PCR is the most used techniques for analyzing GMOs. But this method has got his limits. Unexpected and unknown modification can rarely be detected. This since the

possible transgene must be known before starting a PCR. In addition the test is time-consuming and costly because only one modification can be tested at time. Other research programs are developed and optimized, for example DNA microarrays.
(European Union Reference Laboratory for GM Food & Feed, 2011) (Berdal; Butenko; Holst-Jensen; Kristoffersen; Nesvold; Tengs; Thorstensen, 2007) (Wikepedia, 2011)

that are allowed in Europe are investigated really well. But even scientists cant assure us that GMOs are harmless. Nobody knows the consequences in a larger amount of period. Results for biodiversity GMOs can be dangerous to other crops and biodiversity. Modified organisms can pollinate non-modified organisms and their seeds. This way a whole population can get infected by the modified genes. If the modified species are stronger than the nonmodified species they will outcompete the others and the original species will eventually extinct. Can we play God? Other people are concerned about the ethical aspect of it. As human beings, may we decide what certain organisms have to look like or what they have to be capable of? A lot of believers are convinced that a god created the entire world. They look at scientists as barbarians who try to mess up that world. They think nobody can put himself equally to God. More yield Off course there are a lot of advantages coupled to GMOs. One of them is that the yield of the cultivation will increase significant after been modified. Because of the modification the crops can be more resistant against drought or against insecticides.

Better quality Genetic modifications can also increase the quality of the crops. The crop can be modified so that they could be more healthy for human beings. Golden rice is a good example. This modified rice can prevent blindness due to vitamin A shortage among people in developing countries. Banning famine out Because of this increase of quantity and quality the thought may rise that the famine in third world countries could be solved. This would be very nice if it could be true. The amount of people in those countries is constantly increasing and a higher food production will be extremely important for them. Unfortunately there are other additional reasons for the famine in the world such as distribution, the accessibility and others. GMOs offers a lot of possibilities. But banning all famine out of the world is still far away.
(Stevens, 2009) (Wikipedia, 2011)

Good or Bad? The big question.

Around the world there has been a lot of discussion among genetic modified organisms. The big question is about whether GMOs would be good or bad for humanity and the environment. Its still an unsolved question. This because GMOs are still new in business. People dont know what to expect from it in a larger amount of period which scares some people. Others dont see any harm. Eventually the truth is somewhere in between. GMOs can be saviors but a downfall as well. Thats why we have to be careful using them. Scientific investigation is a necessity before we can commercially grow modified crops. In Europe we take our responsibilities. But its definitely not everywhere in the world. What about our health? Genetic modified crops could be a danger to our health. The modified crops

Verwerking van de facebookpoll volgt

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Literature list
Berdal, K. ; Butenko, M. ; Holst-Jensen, A. ; Kristoffersen, A. ; Nesvold, H. ; Tengs, T. ; Thorstensen T. (2007). Microarray-based method for detection of unknown genetic modifications. Methodology article (pdf-document). http://www.biomedcentral.com/content/pdf/1472-6750-7-91.pdf (geraadpleegd op 10.11.2011) Buffin, D. ; Jewell, T. (2001). Health and environmental impacts of glufosinate ammonium (pdf-document). http://www.foe.co.uk/resource/reports/impacts_glufosinate_ammon.pdf (geraadpleegd op 11.11.2011) Detection of genetically modified organisms [online]. Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detection_of_genetically_modified_organisms (geraadpleegd op 10.11.2011) EU register of genetically modified food and feed [online]. European Commission. http://ec.europa.eu/food/dyna/gm_register/index_en.cfm (geraadpleegd op 11.11.2011) European Union Reference Laboratory for GM Food & Feed (2011). Compendium of reference methods for GMO analysis. (pdf-document). http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/jrc/downloads/jrc_reference_report_2010_11_gmo_analysis_compend ium.pdf (geraadpleegd op 10.11.2011) FAVV [online]. Brussel: FAVV. http://www.favv.be/sp/pv-prodveg/prodveg-ogm_nl.asp (geraadpleegd op 12/11/2011) Food-info [online]. Wageningen: Staroviov. http://www.food-info.net/nl/products/genfood.htm (geraadpleegd op 11/11/2011) Genetische manipulatie van voedsel en landbouwgewassen [online]. Brussel: Gentech.nl. http://www.gentech.nl/info/voedsel_en_landbouw (geraadpleegd op 11/11/2011) GGOs [online] Brussel: Federale overheidsdienst Volksgezondheid, veiligheid van de voedselketen en leefmilieu. http://www.health.belgium.be/eportal/Environment/BiodiversityandGMO/GMOs/ (geraadpleegd 19/10/2011) GMO Compass [online]. Aachen: Haase. http://www.gmocompass.org/eng/grocery_shopping/crops/161.genetically_modified_cotton.html (geraadpleegd op 11/11/2011) Katoen [online]. Wikipedia. http://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katoen#Genetische_modificatie (geraadpleegd op 11/11/2011) Regulation of the release of genetic modified organisms [online]. Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regulation_of_the_release_of_genetic_modified_organisms (geraadpleegd op 11/11/2011) Smets, I. (2011). Toegepaste Biotechnologie. Cursus. Diepenbeek, Departement Biotechniek - Provinciale Hogeschool Limburg.

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Toepassing van biotechnologie [online]. Almere: Goudriaan. http://www.maisdoolhof.com/ (geraadpleegd op 11/11/2011)

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Planning Week 1 Datum 22/09/11 23/09/11 2 29/09/11 30/09/11 Uur 13.30 23.59 13.30 23.59 Taak/vergadering/inleveren Vergadering 1 Inleveren motivatie Vergadering 2 Inleveren voorlopig werkplan Vergadering 3 Inleveren definitief werkplan Vergadering 4 Vergadering 5 Artikels: selecteren info Vergadering 6 Herwerking info in tekst Artikelstukken voor voorlopig tussenrapport af. Inleveren voorlopig tussenrapport Vergadering 7 Aanpassingen Artikelstukken tussenrapport af Inleveren definitief tussenrapport Vergadering 8 Laatste tekst + samenvatting + lay-out Vergadering 9 Vergadering 10 Laatste aanpassingen + werken aan PowerPoint Inleveren voorlopig eindrapport Vergadering 11 Eventuele aanpassingen 13

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