millions of hectares texas = 70 ha global area planted with gm crops

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Global area planted with GM crops

http://www.gmo-compass.org/eng/agri_biotechnology/gmo_planting/257.global_gm_planting_2006.html

Today: more Biotech Th 10/23 Exam #2

Inserting a gene into a bacterial plasmid

RT and/or PCR

Fig 18.1

How do you know whether the gene you want to express has the correct sequence?

DNA sequencing

• The structure of 2’,3’-dideoxynucleotides

Fig 18.14

Fig18.15

The dideoxy sequencing method

Fig18.15The dideoxy sequencing method

Gel produced by the dideoxy sequencing method

Fig 18.16

Computerized sequencers use a similar method

Inserting a gene into a bacterial plasmid

RT and/or PCR

Fig 18.1

…now enjoy making Frakencritters.

What is the largest scale experiment that is being currently performed?

Genetically Modified Organisms

Human resource production and use

Worldwide Grain Production per Person

http://www.earth-policy.org/Updates/2008/Update69.htm

World Grain Stocks as Days of Consumption


~60 percent of the world grain harvest is consumed as food, ~36 percent as feed, and ~3 percent as fuel. While the use of grain for food and feed grows by roughly 1 percent per year, that used for fuel is growing by over 20 percent per year.



Wheat prices

Corn prices late 1999 - Dec 2007

Increasing oil prices drive up potential profit, and cost of food crops

Cost of oil----Profitable cost of corn for ethanol

$50 ---- $4/bushel

$100 ---- $7/bushel

$140 ---- $10/bushel

Summer 2008 corn price: ~$8/bushelCurrent October 2008 corn price: ~$5/bushelhttp://www.farmdoc.uiuc.edu/manage/newsletters/fefo07_11/fefo07_11.htmlhttp://www.earth-policy.org/Updates/2008/Update69.htm

Whereas previous dramatic rises in world grain prices were weather-induced, this one is policy-induced and can be dealt with by policy adjustments. If the entire U.S. grain harvest were converted into ethanol, it would satisfy scarcely 18 percent of our automotive fuel needs.


Land use in USA, 1997

Hunter-Gatherer

Agricultural

Industrial

Artificial Selection

(breeding)

Modern cows were bred from earlier bovine species.

from Teosinte MaizeBy artificial selection that began ~10,000 years ago.

Different foodsfrom one species of plant. Created byartificial selection.

Wild member of Brassica oleracea: small side buds

Brussels sprouts: extremely large side buds

Artificial selection

Nu

mb

er o

f In

div

idu

als

Size of buds (cm)

0 1 2 3

1. Select individuals that have the largestside buds and breed them.

2. Of the offspring, select individuals that have the largest sidebuds and breed them.

3. Of the offspring,select individuals that have the largest sidebuds and breed them.

4. After severalgenerations, bud sizeincreases dramatically.

Hunter-Gatherer

Agricultural

Industrial

increased technology and understanding of molecular biology

Genetic Engineering: Direct manipulation of DNA

Fig 18.1

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Why Change a Plant’s DNA?

• Can change plant so that it has new or different characteristics

– Produce needed protein

– Insect resistance (Bt toxin)

– Herbicide resistance (Round-up)

– Drought or other stress resistance

Tbl 19.5

% o

f T

otal

US

Acr

esCommon GM Crops in the U.S.

http://blog.wired.com/

wiredscience/2007/09/

monsanto-is-hap.html

Herbicide Tolerance; Insect Resistance; Viral Resistance

Types of Genetically Modified Crops

% o

f T

otal

US

Acr

esCommon GM Crops in the U.S.

http://blog.wired.com/

wiredscience/2007/09/

monsanto-is-hap.html

Mil

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Is changing an organsisms DNA a good idea?


Is Changing an Organism’s DNA a Good or Bad Idea?

• Genes flow within species and between species.

• Are GM foods safe for the environment?

• Are GM foods profitable for:– Consumers, Farmers, and Companies?

QuickTime™ and aTIFF (Uncompressed) decompressorare needed to see this picture.

AAL 25.17

Pollution in Gulf of Mexico from run-off in the Mississippi river

Pollen is easily transferred from plant to plant, and to related species.

GM crops illegal

GM crops found in Oaxaca and other MX states

Genetic information moves.

GM crops illegal

GM crops found in Oaxaca and other MX states

Genetic information moves, and is self-replicating.

Many Questions, but Few Answers?

• Are herbicide or insect resistant plants safe to eat?

• Are GM foods safe for the environment?

• Are GM foods profitable for:– Consumers, Farmers, and Companies?

Herbicide Tolerance; Insect Resistance; Viral Resistance

Types of Genetically Modified Crops

Patents give 20 year monopoly for inventor

www.uspto.gov

Three types of U.S. patents:1) Utility patents may be granted to anyone who invents or discovers any new and useful process, machine, article of manufacture, or composition of matter, or any new and useful improvement thereof;

2) Design patents may be granted to anyone who invents a new, original, and ornamental design for an article of manufacture; and

3) Plant patents may be granted to anyone who invents or discovers and asexually reproduces any distinct and new variety of plant.

www.uspto.gov

Examples of current patents:

•Atryn- antithrombin produced in transgenic goats (in milk) has anti-clotting properties



•Evolutec has patents on proteins in tick saliva for use as anti-inflammatory



•Evolutec has patents on proteins in tick saliva for use as anti-inflammator

•GTG in Australia has patents on non-coding human DNA for detecting risk of various diseases



•Evolutec has patents on proteins in tick saliva for use as anti-inflammatory

•GTG in Australia has patents on non-coding human DNA for detecting risk af various diseases

•Over 70 U.S. patents for use of Indian neem tree

Neem, say the women, helps babies sleep, keeps flies away, is a cosmetic, a disinfectant and a pesticide. Its leaves make good cattle fodder, its twigs are good for teeth and gums. It is used, they say, for snake bites, malaria, hysteria, high blood pressure, pain relief, skin diseases and a host of other ailments.

Over 70 U.S. patents for use of Indian neem tree

Neem, say the women, helps babies sleep, keeps flies away, is a cosmetic, a disinfectant and a pesticide. Its leaves make good cattle fodder, its twigs are good for teeth and gums. It is used, they say, for snake bites, malaria, hysteria, high blood pressure, pain relief, skin diseases and a host of other ailments.

Over 70 U.S. patents for use of Indian neem tree

One was rejected due to previous use in indigenous Indian culture

Concerns of developing nations vs. industrialized countries

Bioprospecting

Lack of research on third world problems.(tuberculosis, malaria, cholera, dysentery…Not profitable.

Bioprospecting

Where does the information about genetically modified foods

come from?

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Next class: Th 10/23 Exam #2 (bring cheat sheet)

millions of hectares texas = 70 ha global area planted with gm crops

Documents

bushel http

use of grain

world grain prices

grain stocks

world grain harvest

useworldwide grain production

gm cropshttp

dideoxy sequencing methodfig