Genes and Our Food

Past, present and future

Science is used to improve our food supply

“And he gave it for his opinion, that whoever could make two ears of corn, or two blades of grass, to grow upon a spot of ground where only one grew before, would deserve better of mankind, and do more essential service to his country, than the whole race of politicians put together. “

Jonathan Swift in Gulliver’s Travels

Science is used to improve our food supply All food comes from living organisms Genetics can be used to improve the

plants and animals we eat Many people are not aware of these

facts “Ordinary Tomatoes Do Not Contain

Genes, while Genetically Modified Ones Do”

“Ordinary Tomatoes Do Not Contain Genes, while Genetically Modified Ones Do”

1996 - 1998

4048

4651

3536

3234

4552

382124

2744

2039

22

4533

223130

2221

4429

44

1015

0 20 40 60 80 100

United Kingdom

Switzerland

Sweden

Netherlands

Italy

Germany

France

Austria

United States

Canada

Percent Response

False (Correct) Don't Know True

We have genetically modified food for thousands of years

The earliest farmers and gardeners saved seeds of the very best plants to start the next growing season

By doing this, they unknowingly selected plants with the more desirable genes

Assyrian mural from 870 BC showing palm pollination

Domestication of corn

Teosinte Corn

9000 Years Ago

Domestication of lettuce

Leaf LettucePrickly lettuce

4,500 Years Ago

Domestication of carrot

1,100 to 300 Years Ago

Queen Anne’s Lace

• Orange carrotsappeared in Holland in the 1700s

Brassica oleracea

Wild cabbage

KohlrabiGermany, 100 AD

Kale, 500 BC

Cabbage, 100AD

Cauliflower 1400’s

BroccoliItaly, 1500’s

Brussel sproutsBelgium, 1700’s

Ornamental kaleLate 1900’s

Some crops never existed in nature

Wheat, Triticum aestivumTriticum urartu X Aegilops speltoides

2n=14 2n=14

Triticum turgidum X Aegilops tauschii 2n=28 2n=14

Triticum aestivum 2n=42

Biotechnology Biotechnology

InIn

AgricultureAgriculture

Major uses of biotechnology Making maps of plant and animal

chromosomes using technology developed for the Human Genome Project

Using our knowledge to add new genetic information to plants and animals

How is this information obtained? Set of techniques that allow us to "

read" genes

Old and New Approaches to Plant Improvement

Current Crops with Biotech Traits

Herbicide Tolerance - Lower grower cost (corn, soy, cotton, canola) - Reduced herbicide residues- Enables no-till- Simplicity / flexibility

Insect/Corn Borer Resistance - Lower grower costs(corn, cotton, potato) - Reduced pesticide usage - Decreased molds - Higher yields- Simplicity

Commercial Products Benefits to Growers / Consumers

Current Crops with Biotech Traits

Virus Resistance - Lower cost (potato, papaya) - Higher quality foods- Less acres used

Delayed Ripening - Higher quality food products - Longer shelf-life

Commercial Products Benefits to Growers / Consumers

Biotech Benefits and Risks Decreasing reliance on pesticides Insect resistance management Gene flow and outcrossing Non-target organisms Human, wildlife and environmental health Preserving genetic diversity in plants and

animals Economic

Potential of crop biotechnology

1995 2000 2005 2010

Agronomic traits

Potential products

Quality traits

Pharmaceuticals

Specialty chemicals

Genetically Enhanced Plants The Next Generation

CropCrop CustomerCustomer

Focus on improved farming""Thinking in crops""

Focus on improved processing"Thinking in applications""

Functionality of crops

or components

Customer needs

Source: The Boston Consulting Group; modified

Situation So Far Future Trend

Biotech Foods and Health Enhanced protein and

essential nutrients prevent disease Vitamin A to prevent childhood

blindness Increased calories and nutrients

to prevent malnutrition Increasing food availability by

reducing spoilagegolden rice

Healthier Foods Added Nutrients

wheat rice

Reducing Natural Food Toxins

Fighting Hunger

Improving yields of food staples Controlling insects Controlling crop diseases

bananas cassava sweet potato virus

Greater salt tolerance

Food Security Increasing crop productivity

to meet growing global food needs

Increasing crop productivity of staple foods rich in protein and calories

Increasing access to a healthy, diverse diet

What will the future bring?

Foods as Medicine Delivery System• Vaccines

• human • veterinary

Foods as Medicine Delivery System

Benefits of food as a Drug Delivery System reduced expense low tech – easy to deliver reduced spoilage - no refrigeration

Vaccines Enhanced protein and essential

nutrients prevent disease

Other uses of biotech Over 100 drugs on the market

developed with biotech Bioremediation Industrial biotech

Improved enzymes in chemical, textile, pharmaceutical, metal, and energy industries

Starch and grain processing Sweeteners Ethanol

Other uses of biotech Coffee is decaffeinated

by solvent extraction Concern about safety

and flavor Engineer to be

decaffeinated Also can make uniform

ripening

Other uses of biotech

Nicotine-free tobacco

Low lignin spruce trees for paper production

Industrial uses Cleaning industry

Detergent proteases Textile industry

Finishing cloth Better cotton fibers

Paper and pulp industry Processing with biotech,

environmentally friendly chemicals