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Patel A, Miles A, Strackhouse T, Cook L, Leng S, Patel S, Klinger K, Rudrabhatla S, Potlakayala SD. Methods of crop improvement and applications towards fortifying food security. Front Genome Ed 2023; 5:1171969. [PMID: 37484652 PMCID: PMC10361821 DOI: 10.3389/fgeed.2023.1171969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Agriculture has supported human life from the beginning of civilization, despite a plethora of biotic (pests, pathogens) and abiotic (drought, cold) stressors being exerted on the global food demand. In the past 50 years, the enhanced understanding of cellular and molecular mechanisms in plants has led to novel innovations in biotechnology, resulting in the introduction of desired genes/traits through plant genetic engineering. Targeted genome editing technologies such as Zinc-Finger Nucleases (ZFNs), Transcription Activator-Like Effector Nucleases (TALENs), and Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) have emerged as powerful tools for crop improvement. This new CRISPR technology is proving to be an efficient and straightforward process with low cost. It possesses applicability across most plant species, targets multiple genes, and is being used to engineer plant metabolic pathways to create resistance to pathogens and abiotic stressors. These novel genome editing (GE) technologies are poised to meet the UN's sustainable development goals of "zero hunger" and "good human health and wellbeing." These technologies could be more efficient in developing transgenic crops and aid in speeding up the regulatory approvals and risk assessments conducted by the US Departments of Agriculture (USDA), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
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Affiliation(s)
- Aayushi Patel
- Penn State Harrisburg, Middletown, PA, United States
| | - Andrew Miles
- Penn State University Park, State College, University Park, PA, United States
| | | | - Logan Cook
- Penn State Harrisburg, Middletown, PA, United States
| | - Sining Leng
- Shanghai United Cell Biotechnology Co Ltd, Shanghai, China
| | - Shrina Patel
- Penn State Harrisburg, Middletown, PA, United States
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R S, Nyika J, Yadav S, Mackolil J, G RP, Workie E, Ragupathy R, Ramasundaram P. Genetically modified foods: bibliometric analysis on consumer perception and preference. GM CROPS & FOOD 2022; 13:65-85. [PMID: 35400312 PMCID: PMC9009926 DOI: 10.1080/21645698.2022.2038525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
In this study, we present the bibliometric trends emerging from research outputs on consumer perception and preference for genetically modified (GM) foods and policy prescriptions for enabling the consumption using VOSviewer visualization software. Consumers’ positive response is largely influenced by the decision of the governments to ban or approve the GM crops cultivation. Similarly, the public support increases when the potential benefits of the technology are well articulated, consumption increases with a price discount, people’s trust on the government and belief in science increases with a positive influence by the media. Europe and the USA are the first region and country, respectively, in terms of the number of active institutions per research output, per-capita GDP publication and citations. We suggest research-, agri-food industries-, and society-oriented policies to be implemented by the stakeholders to ensure the safety of GM foods, encourage consumer-based studies, and increase public awareness toward these food products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sendhil R
- ICAR-Indian Institute of Wheat and Barley Research, Karnal, India
| | - Joan Nyika
- Technical University of Kenya, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Sheel Yadav
- ICAR-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, New Delhi, India
| | | | - Rama Prashat G
- ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India
| | - Endashaw Workie
- School of Environmental science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Raja Ragupathy
- Lethbridge Research and Development Centre, Agriculture & Agri Food Canada, Alberta, Canada
| | - P Ramasundaram
- National Agricultural Higher Education Project, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi, India
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Kumar K, Gambhir G, Dass A, Tripathi AK, Singh A, Jha AK, Yadava P, Choudhary M, Rakshit S. Genetically modified crops: current status and future prospects. PLANTA 2020; 251:91. [PMID: 32236850 DOI: 10.1007/s00425-020-03372-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2019] [Accepted: 02/28/2020] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
While transgenic technology has heralded a new era in crop improvement, several concerns have precluded their widespread acceptance. Alternative technologies, such as cisgenesis and genome-editing may address many of such issues and facilitate the development of genetically engineered crop varieties with multiple favourable traits. Genetic engineering and plant transformation have played a pivotal role in crop improvement via introducing beneficial foreign gene(s) or silencing the expression of endogenous gene(s) in crop plants. Genetically modified crops possess one or more useful traits, such as, herbicide tolerance, insect resistance, abiotic stress tolerance, disease resistance, and nutritional improvement. To date, nearly 525 different transgenic events in 32 crops have been approved for cultivation in different parts of the world. The adoption of transgenic technology has been shown to increase crop yields, reduce pesticide and insecticide use, reduce CO2 emissions, and decrease the cost of crop production. However, widespread adoption of transgenic crops carrying foreign genes faces roadblocks due to concerns of potential toxicity and allergenicity to human beings, potential environmental risks, such as chances of gene flow, adverse effects on non-target organisms, evolution of resistance in weeds and insects etc. These concerns have prompted the adoption of alternative technologies like cisgenesis, intragenesis, and most recently, genome editing. Some of these alternative technologies can be utilized to develop crop plants that are free from any foreign gene hence, it is expected that such crops might achieve higher consumer acceptance as compared to the transgenic crops and would get faster regulatory approvals. In this review, we present a comprehensive update on the current status of the genetically modified (GM) crops under cultivation. We also discuss the issues affecting widespread adoption of transgenic GM crops and comment upon the recent tools and techniques developed to address some of these concerns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krishan Kumar
- ICAR-Indian Institute of Maize Research, Pusa Campus, New Delhi, 110012, India.
| | - Geetika Gambhir
- ICAR-Indian Institute of Maize Research, Pusa Campus, New Delhi, 110012, India
| | - Abhishek Dass
- ICAR-Indian Institute of Maize Research, Pusa Campus, New Delhi, 110012, India
| | - Amit Kumar Tripathi
- National Institute for Research in Environmental Health, Bhopal, 462001, India
| | - Alla Singh
- ICAR-Indian Institute of Maize Research, PAU Campus, Ludhiana, 141004, India
| | - Abhishek Kumar Jha
- ICAR-Indian Institute of Maize Research, Pusa Campus, New Delhi, 110012, India
| | - Pranjal Yadava
- ICAR-Indian Institute of Maize Research, Pusa Campus, New Delhi, 110012, India
| | - Mukesh Choudhary
- ICAR-Indian Institute of Maize Research, PAU Campus, Ludhiana, 141004, India
| | - Sujay Rakshit
- ICAR-Indian Institute of Maize Research, PAU Campus, Ludhiana, 141004, India
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Gardner CM, Gwin CA, Gunsch CK. A survey of crop-derived transgenes in activated and digester sludges in wastewater treatment plants in the United States. WATER SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY : A JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION ON WATER POLLUTION RESEARCH 2018; 77:1810-1818. [PMID: 29676738 DOI: 10.2166/wst.2018.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The use of transgenic crops has become increasingly common in the United States over the last several decades. Increasing evidence suggests that DNA may be protected from enzymatic digestion and acid hydrolysis in the digestive tract, suggesting that crop-derived transgenes may enter into wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) intact. Given the historical use of antibiotic resistance genes as selection markers in transgenic crop development, it is important to consider the fate of these transgenes. Herein we detected and quantified crop-derived transgenes in WWTPs. All viable US WWTP samples were found to contain multiple gene targets (p35, nos, bla and nptII) at significantly higher levels than control samples. Control wastewater samples obtained from France, where transgenic crops are not cultivated, contained significantly fewer copies of the nptII gene than US activated and digester sludges. No significant differences were measured for the bla antibiotic resistance gene (ARG). In addition, a nested PCR (polymerase chain reaction) assay was developed that targeted the bla ARG located in regions flanked by the p35 promoter and nos terminator. Overall this work suggests that transgenic crops may have provided an environmental source of nptII; however, follow-up studies are needed to ascertain the viability of these genes as they exit WWTPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Courtney M Gardner
- Civil and Environmental Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA E-mail: ; Present address: Duke University, Box 90287 Hudson Hall, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Carley A Gwin
- Civil and Environmental Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA E-mail: ; Present address: Civil and Environmental Engineering, Bucknell University 1 Dent Drive, Lewisburg, PA 17837, USA
| | - Claudia K Gunsch
- Civil and Environmental Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA E-mail: ; Present address: Duke University, Box 90287 Hudson Hall, Durham, NC 27708, USA
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Yuan Y, Xu W, He X, Liu H, Cao S, Qi X, Huang K, Luo Y. Effects of genetically modified T2A-1 rice on the GI health of rats after 90-day supplement. Sci Rep 2013; 3:1962. [PMID: 23752350 PMCID: PMC3678139 DOI: 10.1038/srep01962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2012] [Accepted: 05/28/2013] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacillus thuringiensis insecticidal toxin (Bt) rice will be commercialized as a main food source. Traditional safety assessments on genetically modified products pay little attention on gastrointestinal (GI) health. More data about GI health of Bt rice must be provided to dispel public' doubts about the potential effects on human health. We constructed an improved safety assessment animal model using a basic subchronic toxicity experiment, measuring a range of parameters including microflora composition, intestinal permeability, epithelial structure, fecal enzymes, bacterial activity, and intestinal immunity. Significant differences were found between rice-fed groups and AIN93G-fed control groups in several parameters, whereas no differences were observed between genetically modified and non-genetically modified groups. No adverse effects were found on GI health resulting from genetically modified T2A-1 rice. In conclusion, this study may offer a systematic safety assessment model for GM material with respect to the effects on GI health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanfang Yuan
- Laboratory of Food Safety, College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, China
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Do genetically modified crops affect animal reproduction? A review of the ongoing debate. Animal 2012; 5:1048-59. [PMID: 22440100 DOI: 10.1017/s1751731110002776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
In the past few years, genetically modified (GM) crops aimed at producing food/feed that became part of the regular agriculture in many areas of the world. However, we are uncertain whether GM food and feed can exert potential adverse effects on humans or animals. Of importance, the reproductive toxicology of GM crops has been studied using a number of methods, and by feeding GM crops to a number species of animals to ensure the safety assessment of GM food and feed. It appears that there are no adverse effects of GM crops on many species of animals in acute and short-term feeding studies, but serious debates of effects of long-term and multigenerational feeding studies remain. The aims of this review are to focus on the latest (last 3 to 4 years) findings and debates on reproduction of male and female animals after feeding daily diets containing the GM crops, and to present the possible mechanism(s) to explain their influences.
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Sudak NL, Harvie J. Integrative Strategies for Planetary Health. Integr Med (Encinitas) 2012. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-1-4377-1793-8.00089-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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Liu W. Effects of Bt transgenic crops on soil ecosystems: a review of a ten-year research in China. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2009. [DOI: 10.1007/s11703-009-0027-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Kelly BG, Vespermann A, Bolton DJ. Gene transfer events and their occurrence in selected environments. Food Chem Toxicol 2008; 47:978-83. [PMID: 18639605 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2008.06.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2007] [Revised: 06/19/2008] [Accepted: 06/20/2008] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Genes encoding virulence determinants are transferred between species in many different environments. In this review we describe gene transfer events to and from different species of bacteria, from bacteria to plants, and from plants to bacteria. Examples of the setting for these transfer events include: the GI tract, the rumen, the oral cavity, and in food matrixes. As a case study, the flux of virulence factors from E.coli O157:H7 is described as an example of gene flow in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- B G Kelly
- Ashtown Food Research Centre, Ashtown, Dublin 15, Ireland.
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Brinkmann N, Tebbe CC. Leaf-feeding larvae of Manduca sexta (Insecta, Lepidoptera) drastically reduce copy numbers of aadA antibiotic resistance genes from transplastomic tobacco but maintain intact aadA genes in their feces. ENVIRONMENTAL BIOSAFETY RESEARCH 2007; 6:121-33. [PMID: 17961486 DOI: 10.1051/ebr:2007028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2023]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of insect larval feeding on the fate and genetic transformability of recombinant DNA from a transplastomic plant. Leaves of tobacco plants with an aadA antibiotic resistance gene inserted into their chloroplast genome were incubated with larvae of the tobacco hornworm Manduca sexta (Lepidoptera). The specifically designed Acinetobacter strain BD413 pBAB(2) was chosen to analyze the functional integrity of the aadA transgene for natural transformation after gut passages. No gene transfer was detected after simultaneous feeding of leaves and the Acinetobacter BD413 pBAB(2) as a recipient, even though 15% of ingested Acinetobacter BD413 cells could be recovered as viable cells from feces 6 h after feeding. Results with real-time PCR indicated that an average of 98.2 to 99.99% of the aadA gene was degraded during the gut passage, but the range in the number of aadA genes in feces of larvae fed with transplastomic leaves was enormous, varying from 5 x 10(6) to 1 x 10(9) copies.g(-1). DNA extracted from feces of larvae fed with transplastomic leaves was still able to transform externally added competent Acinetobacter BD413 pBAB(2) in vitro. Transformation frequencies with concentrated feces DNA were in the same range as those found with leaves (10(-4)-10(-6) transformants per recipient) or purified plasmid DNA (10(-3)-10(-7)). The presence of functionally intact DNA was also qualitatively observed after incubation of 30 mg freshly shed feces directly with competent Acinetobacter BD413 pBAB(2), demonstrating that aadA genes in feces have a potential to undergo further horizontal gene transfer under environmental conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Brinkmann
- Institute of Agroecology, Federal Agricultural Research Centre (FAL), Bundesallee 50, 38116, Braunschweig, Germany
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Singh OV, Ghai S, Paul D, Jain RK. Genetically modified crops: success, safety assessment, and public concern. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2006; 71:598-607. [PMID: 16639559 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-006-0449-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2005] [Revised: 03/28/2006] [Accepted: 03/29/2006] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
With the emergence of transgenic technologies, new ways to improve the agronomic performance of crops for food, feed, and processing applications have been devised. In addition, ability to express foreign genes using transgenic technologies has opened up options for producing large quantities of commercially important industrial or pharmaceutical products in plants. Despite this high adoption rate and future promises, there is a multitude of concerns about the impact of genetically modified (GM) crops on the environment. Potential contamination of the environment and food chains has prompted detailed consideration of how such crops and the molecules that they produce can be effectively isolated and contained. One of the reasonable steps after creating a transgenic plant is to evaluate its potential benefits and risks to the environment and these should be compared to those generated by traditional agricultural practices. The precautionary approach in risk management of GM plants may make it necessary to monitor significant wild and weed populations that might be affected by transgene escape. Effective risk assessment and monitoring mechanisms are the basic prerequisites of any legal framework to adequately address the risks and watch out for new risks. Several agencies in different countries monitor the release of GM organisms or frame guidelines for the appropriate application of recombinant organisms in agro-industries so as to assure the safe use of recombinant organisms and to achieve sound overall development. We feel that it is important to establish an internationally harmonized framework for the safe handling of recombinant DNA organisms within a few years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Om V Singh
- Department of Pediatrics, The John Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.
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Licht TR, Wilcks A. Conjugative Gene Transfer in the Gastrointestinal Environment. ADVANCES IN APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY 2005; 58C:77-95. [PMID: 16543030 DOI: 10.1016/s0065-2164(05)58002-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tine Rask Licht
- Department of Microbiological Food Safety Danish Institute for Food and Veterinary Research DK‐2860 Søborg, Denmark
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Abstract
So far, no compelling scientific evidence has been found to suggest that the consumption of transgenic or genetically modified (GM) plants by animals or humans is more likely to cause harm than is the consumption of their conventional counterparts. Despite this lack of scientific evidence, the economic prospects for GM plants are probably limited in the short term and there is public opposition to the technology. Now is a good time to address several issues concerning GM plants, including the potential for transgenes to migrate from GM plants to gut microbes or to animal or human tissues, the consequences of consuming GM crops, either as fresh plants or as silage, and the problems caused by current legislation on GM labelling and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Heritage
- School of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK.
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