South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement
Genetically Modified Organisms:Benefits & Risks
PUB Media Round Table25 June 2008
South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement
South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement
South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement
• 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
South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement
SAASTA Mandate
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 is a a Business Unit of the National Research Foundation (NRF)
South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement
Science Communication…
“…the process by which the scientific culture and its knowledge become
incorporated into the common culture” {i.e. a part of our everyday lives}
Source: Prof Chris Bryant, Founder of CPAS, Australian National University
South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement
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
Aim of PUB
South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement
CapeBiotech
LifeLabPlantBio
NRF
SAASTA
NBN Biopad
Gov Depts
Investors
End users
Public & public opinion
PUB, one of six Biotechnology Instruments in South Africa…
South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement
South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement
Result of domestication
Modern cornTeosinte
South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement
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)
• Medical e.g. insulin, vaccines, “pharming”• Industrial • Environmental e.g. bioremediation, Biosure
South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement
Benefits
• 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
Reduced
South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement
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..)
South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement
Risks• 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)
South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement
Risks (cont…)• 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)
South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement
Key GMO issues• 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
South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement
Other issues…
• 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?
South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement
“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
Genetic Modification v GM
South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement
“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
Genetic Modification v GM
South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement
22.69
10.42
10.63
15.64
3.72
20.77
1.42
10.46
4.24
0 5 10 15 20 25
Percentage of respondents
Universities
Consumer Organizations
Environmental Groups
Government
Religious Organizations
Media
Industry
Don't know
None
Info
rmat
ion
So
urc
e
TRUST: Who is trusted as truthful information source for biotechnology? (PUB/HSRC Survey 2004)
South African Agency for Science and Technology AdvancementWhat do consumers say about
labelling? (Source: PUB/HSRC Survey, 2004)
51%
23%27%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
Seldom/Never
Often/Always
Sometimes
How often do you read food labels?
South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement
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 but could be included in 21% for more ingredient info.
South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement
3
1
9.5
21
1
3
1
1
21
15.6
22
0 5 10 15 20 25
Percentage of respondents
Pesticide content
GMO content
Fat content
Health benefits
Grown locally
Country of origin
Certified organic
Irradiation
Ingredients
Other
Don't know
Desired information on food labels (PUB/HSRC 2004)
South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement
SA Area planted with GM crops2007
• 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(Source: Clive James, 2007)
South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement
Global Area (Million Hectares) of Biotech Crops, 2007:Global Area (Million Hectares) of Biotech Crops, 2007:by Countryby Country
South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement
The way forward
• 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
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