ENVIS CENTRE ON ENVIRONMENTAL BIOTECHNOLOGY

SUPPORTED BY MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND FOREST GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

VOLUME-16 ISSN: 09742476 JUNE, 2010

GENETICALLY MODIFIED

ORGANISMS (GMO): ARE THEY HEALTHY FOR

THE ENVIRONMENT?

ENVIS CENTRE ON ENVIRONMENTAL BIOTECHNOLOGY

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE UNIVERSITY OF KALYANI, NADIA, WEST BENGAL

Email: [email protected], [email protected] Phone: 033-2580-8749, Telefax: 91-33-2580-8749 Website: http://www.kuenvbiotech.org

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EDITOR EDITORIAL

PROF S.C.SANTRA GMOs are just one product of the rapidly (ENVIS CO-ORDINATOR) growing field of biotechnology. New techniques have been developed that make ENVIS STAFF it easier for plant breeders to monitor the outcomes of conventional crossing and Dr NANDINI GUPTA selection; allow useful genes to be (PROGRAMME OFFICER) identified and cloned; and make it Ms AMRITA SAHA DEB CHAUDHURY (INFORMATION OFFICER) possible for genes from the same species Mr SOURAV BANDYOPADHYAY to be utilized more quickly and precisely (DATA ENTRY OPERATOR) than do the methods of traditional plant breeding. GMOs incorporate genes from another plant species, an animal, a INSTRUCTIONS TO bacterium, or a virus. GMOs are one CONTRIBUTORS product of a remarkable expansion in

ENVIS Newsletter on Environmental agricultural biotechnology. They offer the Biotechnology is a half-yearly publication possibility of addressing some difficult publishes articles related to the thematic problems but they also present a number area of the ENVIS Centre. Popular or easily of uncertainties. Their development has intelligible expositions of new or recent sparked debates about the direction of developments are welcome agriculture and the control of technology. Manuscripts should be typewritten (font should be Times New Roman and font size The most pressing need is for good ought to be 12) on one side of the paper in information. These are complex issues that double spacing with maximum of 6-8 typed cannot be debated using formulae, slogans pages or slick advertising. The majority of the Figures and typed table should be in separate pages and provided with title and reporting and analysis on both sides of the GMO issue has not been accompanied by serial numbers. The exact position for the placement of the figures and tables should adequate technical information. Thus, in be marked in the manuscript. Volume-16, we have emphasized on the genetically modified organisms and major Articles should be sent to issues and controversies related to this technology. Further we appreciate the The Coordinator views of the reader /user groups about this ENVIS Centre newsletter.We also invite relevant articles, Department of Environmental Science news, events on this topic for publication University of Kalyani, Kalyani-741235 in newsletter in future Nadia, West Bengal Email: [email protected] , [email protected] (S.C.Santra)

IN THIS ISSUE:

GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS (GMO): ARE THEY HEALTHY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT? ACT AND REGULATIONS ON GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS IN INDIA CURRENT NEWS FORTHCOMING EVENTS QUERY FORM 2

GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS (GMO) ARE THEY HEALTHY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT?

WHAT ARE GMOS?

A genetically modified organism (GMO) are combined into one molecule to create or genetically engineered organism a new set of genes. This DNA is then (GEO) is an organism whose genetic transferred into an organism, giving it material has been altered using genetic modified or novel genes. Transgenic engineering techniques. These organisms, a subset of GMOs, are techniques, generally known as organisms which have inserted DNA recombinant DNA technology, use DNA that originated in a different species. molecules from different sources, which

Building the Transgenes

ON/OFF Switch Makes Protein stop sign

PROMOTER INTRO N CODING SEQUENCE poly A signal

Plant Transgene

Plant Selectable Marker Gene

Plasmid DNA Construct bacterial genes •antibiotic marker •replication origin

HISTORY OF GMO

Genetic engineering was made possible expressing a Salmonella gene. This led through a series of scientific advances to concerns in the scientific community including the discovery of DNA and the about potential risks from genetic creation of the first recombinant engineering which has been thoroughly in 1973, i.e., Escherichia .coli discussed at the Asilomar Conference in

3 Pacific Grove, California. Herbert from frost damage (ice-minus bacteria) Boyer’company, Genentech, in 1978 at a small biotechnology company called announced the creation of an E. coli Advanced Genetic Sciences of Oakland, strain producing the human protein California, were repeatedly delayed by insulin. opponents of biotechnology. There onwards started the advent of genetically In 1986, field tests of bacteria engineered microbes. genetically engineered to protect plants

GM VS. MENDEL’S SELECTIVE BREEDING

Selective breeding GM

Slow Very fast Imprecise Precise Modification of genes that naturally Can introduce genes into an occur in the organism organism that would not occur naturally

Traditional plant breeding

Traditional Commercial New DNA is a strand of genes, donor variety (manyvariety genes are much like a strand of transferred) pearls. Traditional plant breeding combines many X = genes at once. (crosses Desired Desired ) Gene gene

Plant biotechnology

Desired Commercial New Using plant biotechnology, gene variety (onlyvariety desired gene is a single gene may be transferred) added to the strand. = (transfers ) Desired gene

APPLICATION OF GMO

GMOs have widespread applications. 1. Bioremediation Genetically modified microbes can be 2. Industry used for the following applications: 3. Agriculture

4 1. Bioremediation Using content and level of different gases in Genetically Engineered the soil. Microbes o Genetically engineered microorganism

for treating oil-spills Bioremediation of environmental contaminants using genetically The first genetically engineered engineered organisms (GEMs) holds organism for bioremediation was tremendous potential. actually produced by Dr. Ananda Mohan

Chakrabarty in USA. This GEM was a o Genetically engineered microorganism Pseudomonas, which was capable of (GEM) for detecting PAHs in the soil degrading 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic

acid (2,4,5-T). the strain contained two One of the areas, where genetically plasmids, each providing a separate engineered organisms have been used degradative pathway, and and are likely to be used include therefore was claimed to be effective in biodegradation of polyaromatic treating oil spills. Several other microbes hydrocarbons (PAHs) in soil. These have been developed through genetic PAHs include naphthalene, engineering for treatment of oil spills. phenanthrene, and anthracene, whose occurrence in the soil is due to spills or o Genetically engineered microorganism leakage of fossil fuels or petroleum for sequestering of heavy metals products. In USA, Pseudomonas fluorescens isolated from PAH A new approach for bioremediation that contaminated soils, was genetically was suggested recently, involved engineered with lux genes from Vibrio engineering of microorganisms to fischeri , a bacterium that lives in the enhance their ability of sequester heavy light generating organisms of certain metals in the soil. In this approach, the deep sea fish. The lux gene was fused toxic metal within the soil remains with a promoter normally associated bound to the GEM, so that it is less with the naphthalene degradation likely to be taken up either by the pathway. These lux genes do not need underground part (roots) of the terrestrial any independent substrate for light plants, or by other plants or animals production. The modified strain, P. living in the soil. The enhanced ability to fluorescens HK44 responds to sequester heavy metals (e.g. cadmium) napththalene by luminescence, which was achieved by transfer of a mouse can be detected with the help of light gene, encoding metallothionein of a sensing probes. This will allow the Ralstonia eutropha (a natural inhabitant detection of PAHs in the contaminated of soil). Metallothionein in this GEM soils, so that the biodegradations can was expressed on the outer surface of the now be optimized by altering moisture cells to help in sequestering of cadmium.

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genetically engineered synthesis and 1. 2. Ralstonia export of MTβ eutropha soil cd 3. inoculation 4. sensitive plant

Engineering of So il Bacterium for

Enhanced Sequestration of Toxic

Metals. MT β = metallothionein

Issues involve in application of GMO human growth hormone and viral in bioremediation vaccines. Microbes are also being used to meet effectively the crisis in both Many issues remain to be resolved environment and energy sectors. They before this method is adopted widely. can reduce environmental pollution Priority areas of research include the through a variety of processes and other following: means including the following:

 Improving microbial strains; (i) Recovery of metals from polluted  Improving bioanalytical methods for waterways- measuring the level of contaminants (ii) Elimination of sulphur from  Developing analytical techniques for metal ores and coal fired power and better understanding, control and (iii) Use of biofertilizers and optimization of environmental and biopesticides reactor systems (iv) In the energy sector, they can be used for production of single cell 2. Using Genetically Engineered proteins (SCP) to meet food and fodder problems, and for biogas Microbes in Industry production to provide energy to electrify villages. In recent years, micro organisms have found their application not only in the production of a variety of metabolites 3. Using Genetically Engineered but also in the bio- transformation of Microbes in Agriculture several chemicals. The genetically engineered micro organisms are also To date the broadest and most being used for the commercial controversial application of GMO production of some non microbial technology is in agriculture especially in products such as insulin, interferon, patent-protected food crops which are

6 resistant to commercial herbicides or are  Potato - modified to produce a able to produce pesticidal proteins from beetle killing toxin within the plant, or stacked trait seeds,  Yellow squash – modified to which do both. The largest share of the contain viral genes that resistant GMO crops planted globally is owned to the most common viral by the US firm Monsanto. diseases  Develop foods that contain Different application of GMO in vaccines and antibodies that offer production of crops which resist valuable protection against different types of viral, bacterial and diseases such as cholera, insect pest : hepatitis, and malaria  Canola – modified to resist one type of herbicide or pesticide

Some Approved Agricultural Biotech Cotton Products Bollgard® Insect-Protected Cotton Roundup® Ready Cotton

Milk Production Canola Chymogen® LibertyLink® Canola Posilac® Recombinant Bovine InVigor® Hybrid Canola Somatotropin Roundup Ready® Canola ChyMax®

Corn Potatoes Attribute™ Bt Sweet Corn NewLeaf® Insect-Protected Potato CLEARFIELD Corn® NewLeaf® Plus DeKalBtTM Insect-Protected New-Leaf® Y Insect- and Virus-Protected Hybrid Potatoes DeKalb Brand Roundup Ready® Gray Leaf Spot -Resistant Corn Tomatoes Hybrids FreshWorld Farms® Tomato StarLink Corn FreshWorld Farms Endless Summer® YieldGardTM Insect-Protected Corn FreshWorld Farms® Cherry

Soybeans Sunflowers High Oleic Acid Soybeans High Oleic Sunflower Low Linolenic Soybean Oil High Oleic Sunflower Oil Low Saturate Soybean Oils

Peanuts High Oleic Peanuts

Papaya Rainbow and SunUp

7 WHAT ARE THE genetically engineered seeds, all the seeds have identical genetic structure. As DANGERS OF USING a result, if a fungus, a virus, or a pest GMO TECHNOLOGY? develops which can attack this particular crop, there could be widespread crop failure. (Robinson 1996) Following issues are of great concern regarding GMO Threatens Our Entire Food Supply — Insects, birds, and wind can carry 1. Fundamental weaknesses of the genetically altered seeds into concept neighboring fields and beyond. Pollen 2. Health hazard and environmental from transgenic plants can cross- hazard and related food safety pollinate with genetically natural crops 3. Increased corporate control of and wild relatives. All crops, organic and agriculture and unintended economic non-organic, are vulnerable to consequences contamination from cross-pollinatation. (Emberlin et al 1999 ) 1 Fundamental Weaknesses of the Concept 2. Health and environmental hazard and related food safety Imprecise Technology —A gene can be cut precisely from the DNA of an Health Hazards organism, but the insertion into the DNA of the target organism is basically No Long-Term Safety Testing — random. As a consequence, there is a Genetic engineering uses material from risk that it may disrupt the functioning of organisms that have never been part of other genes essential to the life of that the human food supply to change the organism. (Bergelson 1998) fundamental nature of the food we eat. Without long-term testing no one knows Side Effects —Genetic engineering is if these foods are safe. like performing heart surgery with a shovel. Scientists do not yet understand Toxins —Genetic engineering can cause living systems completely enough to unexpected mutations in an organism, perform DNA surgery without creating which can create new andhigher levels mutations which could be harmful to the of toxins in foods. (Inose 1995 , Mayeno environment and our health. They are 1994) experimenting with very delicate, yet powerful forces of nature, without full Allergic Reactions —Genetic knowledge of the repercussions. engineering can also produce unforeseen (Washington Times 1997, The Village and unknown allergens in foods. Voice 1998) (Nordlee 1996)

Widespread Crop Failure —Genetic Decreased Nutritional Value — engineers intend to profit by patenting Transgenic foods may mislead genetically engineered seeds. This consumers with counterfeit freshness. A means that, when a farmer plants luscious-looking, bright red genetically

8 engineered tomato could be several the local ecology. The new organism weeks old and of little nutritional worth. may compete successfully with wild relatives, causing unforeseen changes in Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria —Genetic the environment. (Metz 1997) engineers use antibiotic-resistance genes to mark genetically engineered cells. Gene Pollution cannot be cleaned This means that genetically engineered Up —Once genetically engineered crops contain genes which confer organisms, bacteria and viruses are resistance to antibiotics. These genes released into the environment it is may be picked up by bacteria which may impossible to control or recall them. infect us. (New Scientist 1999) Unlike chemical or nuclear contamination, negative effects are Problems Cannot Be Traced —Without irreversible. labels, our public health agencies are powerless to trace problems of any kind 3. Increased corporate control of back to their source. The potential for agriculture and unintended tragedy is staggering. economic consequences

Can Side Effects Kill Human Beings? - Another concern associated with GMOs 37 people died, 1500 were partially is that private companies will claim paralyzed, and 5000 more were ownership of the organisms they create temporarily disabled by a syndrome that and not share them at a reasonable cost was finally linked to tryptophan made by with the public. Use of genetically genetically-engineered bacteria. modified crops will hurt the economy (Mayeno 1994) and environment, because monoculture dominates over the diversity contributed Environmental Hazards by small farmers who can't afford the technology. Increased use of Herbicides — Scientists estimate that plants genetically POSSIBLE BENEFITS engineered to be herbicide-resistant will greatly increase the amount of herbicide OF GM FOODS use. (Benbrook 1999) Farmers, knowing that their crops can tolerate the herbicides, will use them more liberally. Easing of world hunger Development of crops that can be grown in marginal soil More Pesticides —GE crops often manufacture their own pesticides and Reduced strain on nonrenewable may be classified as pesticides by the EPA. This strategy will put more resources  Development of drought resistant pesticides into our food and fields than crops. ever before.  Development of salt-tolerant crops.  Development of crops that make Ecology may be damaged —The more efficient use of nitrogen and influence of a genetically engineered other nutrients. organism on the food chain may damage

9 Reduced use of pesticides and Ethics herbicides  Development of pest resistant crops. o Violation of natural organisms'  Reduced herbicide use is better for the intrinsic values environment and reduces costs for o Tampering with nature by mixing farmers. genes among species o Objections to consuming animal Improved crop quality genes in plants and vice versa  Development of frost resistant crops. o Stress for animal  Development of disease resistant crops. Labeling  Development of flood resistant crops. o Not mandatory in some countries Improved nutritional quality (e.g., United States) Development of foods designed to meet o Mixing GM crops with non-GM specific nutritional goals products confounds labeling attempts

Society MAIN CONTROVERSIES ARISES REGARDING New advances may be skewed to GMOS interests of rich countries.

Safety ACT AND REGULATIONS ON GENETICALLY o Potential human health impacts, MODIFIED ORGANISMS including allergens, transfer of IN INDIA antibiotic resistance markers, unknown effects o Potential environmental impacts, including: unintended transfer of In India, the Genetically Modified transgenes through cross-pollination, Organisms are regulated under the unknown effects on other organisms Environment Protection Act 1986 (e.g., soil microbes), and loss of flora (EPA). and fauna biodiversity In addition the Indian biosafety Access and Intellectual Property regulatory framework comprises: o Domination of world food production  Rules for the “Manufacture, Use, by a few companies Import, Export and Storage of o Increasing dependence on Hazardous Microorganisms, industrialized nations by developing genetically Modified Organisms countries and Cells" (1989 Rules),  Department of Biotechnology o Biopiracy, or foreign exploitation of natural resources guidelines, the 1990 "Recombinant DNA Safety Guidelines" (1990 DBT Guidelines)

10  Revised Guidelines for “Safety in Biotechnology" (1994 DBT The regulations classify activities Guidelines) involving GMOs into four risk  Revised Guidelines for “Research in categories Transgenic Plants and Guidelines for Toxicity and Allergenicity o Category I comprises routine Evaluation of Transgenic Seeds, recombinant DNA experiments Plants and Plant Parts" (1998 DBT conducted inside a laboratory; Guidelines). o Category II consists of both  Seed Policy, 2002 laboratory and greenhouse experiments involving transgenes Objectives of regulations that combat biotic stresses through resistance to herbicides and o The objective of EPA is protection pesticides; and improvement of the o Categories III and IV comprise environment. The Act calls for the experiments and field trials where regulation of Environment the escape of transgenic traits into Pollutants, defined as any solid, the open environment could cause liquid or gaseous substance, present significant alterations in the in such concentration that tend to be ecosystem. injurious to the environment. o The 1990 and 1994 DBT guidelines The regulatory framework for recommend appropriate practices, GMO in India equipments and facilities necessary for safeguards in handling GMOs in The two main agencies responsible for agriculture and pharmaceutical implementation of the rules are the sectors. These guidelines cover the Ministry of Environment and Forests R&D activities on GMOs, transgenic (MoEF) and the Department of crops, large-scale production and Biotechnology (DBT), Government of deliberate release of GMOs, plants, India. The rules have also defined animals and products into the competent authorities and the environment, shipment and composition of such authorities for importation of GMOs for laboratory handling of various aspects of the rules. research. There are six competent authorities as o The 1998 DBT guidelines cover per the rules: areas of recombinant DNA research on plants including the development 1. Recombinant DNA Advisory of transgenic plants and their growth Committee (RDAC) in soil for molecular and field 2. Review Committee on Genetic evolution. It also calls for the Manipulation (RCGM) toxicity and allergenicity data for 3. Genetic Engineering Approval ruminants such as goats and cows, Committee (GEAC) from consumption of transgenic 4. Institutional Biosafety plants. It also requires the generation Committees (IBSC) of data on comparative economic 5. State Biosafety Coordination benefits of a modified plant. Committees (SBCC)

11 6. District Level Committees CURRENT NEWS (DLC). EVENTS Out of these, the three agencies that are involved in approval of new transgenic Researchers Synchronize Blinking crops are: 'Genetic Clocks' -- Genetically Engineered Bacteria That Keep o IBSC set-up at each institution for Track of Time monitoring institute level research in genetically modified organisms. Researchers at UC San Diego who last o RCGM functioning in the DBT to year created genetically engineered monitor ongoing research activities bacteria to keep track of time by turning in GMOs and small scale field trials. on and off fluorescent proteins within o GEAC functioning in the MoEF to their cells have taken another step authorize large-scale trials and toward the construction of a environmental release of GMOs. programmable genetic sensor. The scientists recently synchronized these Cartagena Biosafety Protocol bacterial "genetic clocks" to blink in unison and engineered the bacterial The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, genes to alter their blinking rates when the first international regulatory environmental conditions change. Their framework for safe transfer, handling latest achievement is a crucial step in and use of living Modified Organisms creating genetic sensors that might one (LMOs) was negotiated under the aegis day provide humans with advance of the Convention on Biological information about temperature, poisons Diversity (CBD). The Protocol was and other potential hazards in the adopted on 29th January, 2000. One environment by monitoring changes in hundred and forty three countries have the bacterium's blinking signed the Protocol. India has acceded to rates. "Programming living cells is one the Biosafety Protocol on 17th January defining goal of the new field of 2003. The Protocol has come into force synthetic biology according to Jeff on 11th September, 2003. As of date, Hasty, associate professor of biology and 143 countries are parties to the Protocol. bioengineering at UCSD who headed the research team with Lev Tsimring, Some Useful links regarding the associate director of UCSD's BioCircuits details of biosafety regulations Institute.Synchronization of clocks and oscillators in general has been a http://www.envfor.nic.in/divisions/csurv fascinating subject for physicists and /geac/geac_home.html applied mathematicians for centuries. http://dbtbiosafety.nic.in This began with the Dutch http://www.igmoris.nic.in mathematician and astronomer Christiaan Huygens, who is credited with its serendipitous discovery in 1665 when he suspended a pair of nearly identical pendulum clocks (which he invented and patented some 8 years

12 earlier) on the same wooden beam. This Colorado potato beetle ( Leptinotarsa phenomenon has a myriad of decemlineata Say) (CPB), which is applications in modern technology, from resistant to most classes of chemical communication networks to GPS. This pesticide. A prospective solution to this study demonstrates how inherently noisy problem is to use a protein (Cry 3A gene oscillators can operate together protein) toxic to CPB, produced by a with beautiful synchronicity and naturally occurring soil bacterium, regularity once coupled together in a Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). The specific way. mechanism of Cry 3A protein on CPB does not differ from that of other Bt Cry Over the past decade, researchers have proteins, known to possess high gone from wiring genetic toggle selectivity for different pests. The switches and oscillators in living cells to primary action of Cry toxins is to lyse building living circuits capable of midgut epithelial cells in the target insect pattern generation, noise shaping, edge by forming pores in the apical microvilli detection and event counting. In their membrane of the cells leading to severe latest development, the UCSD septicemia and insect death. The benefits researchers took advantage of a type of of using such Bt-plants include increased bacterial communication in which crop yields, reduced pesticide use, less bacteria exchange small molecules. environmental damage and reduced Many bacterial species are known to labor. CPB-resistant potatoes were first communicate by a mechanism known as developed and sold in the USA in 1994 quorum sensing, that is, relaying under the NewLeaf trademark to control between them small molecules to trigger CPB. Although there is no commercial various behaviors. Other bacteria are production of Bt-potatoes in Russia, the known to disrupt this communication Russian Center of Bioengineering has mechanism by degrading these relay adapted the technology developed by molecules. Monsanto (St Louis, MO), one of the world's biggest biotechnology The researchers constructed devices to companies, for three varieties of potatoes precisely control the sizes of the commonly grown in Russia. bacterial colonies between two different General property of Bt-plants is an scales: a micron, or a millionth of a elevated level of lignin. This peculiarity meter, and a millimeter, or one- is poorly expressed in CPB-resistant thousandth of a meter. potatoes, where not only lignin, but also (Source: Science Daily , Jan. 24, 2010) starch, carbon and nitrogen concentrations are close to those of non- Anomalous accumulation of modified plants. The lack of information selenium by genetically modified on the selenium (Se) content in Bt-crops potato, stable to Colorado beetle has prompted Russian investigation on the Se status in CPB-resistant potatoes, as this element is implicated in the Potatoes are the fourth largest crop protection mechanism of plants against grown in the world, exceeded only by insect attack. wheat, rice and corn. The major limiting Using a fluorimetric method of analysis, factor in growing potatoes in many areas Russian investigators have demonstrated of the world, including Russia, is the

13 extremely high Se accumulation in The response differs in different milk leaves of CPB-resistant potatoes (more products with regard to the fat content of than 1 mg kg −1 dry weight) and the milk. Due to short assay time of less moderate accumulation levels of Se in than 3 h and automation the approach tubers (1.39 times more than in ordinary can be used as a bioavailability and plants). Leaves of genetically modified activity screening method prior to more potatoes are shown to possess a detailed chemical analysis. decreased concentration of ascorbic acid (1.5 times less than controls) and slightly (Source: Journal of Microbiological elevated levels of nitrates. The Methods, Volume 80, Issue 1, January 2010, possibility of Se participation in the Pages 44-48) protection of genetically modified potatoes against CPB is discussed in Towards a super H 2 producer: their research paper. Improvements in photofermentative production by genetic (Source: Journal of Food Composition and manipulations Analysis, Volume 23, Issue 2, March 2010, Pages 190-193) The fossil fuels are limited and being consumed rapidly. Therefore, new A novel biosensor based on alternative energy sources are to be genetically modified investigated. Hydrogen as an energy Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain carrier could be produced from for the detection of zearalenone renewable and sustainable energy family mycotoxins in milk sources and it could safely be used due to following reasons. Today, although Scientists of Finland developed a the hydrogen gas was mostly produced method for detecting estrogenic through the non-biological means mycotoxin residues in milk was (chemical ways) such as steam developed utilizing bioluminescent reforming, biological hydrogen whole-cell biosensors. Milk products of production methods are still being various compositions were spiked with investigated and being improved. the estrogenic mycotoxins zearalenone Hydrogen, the candidate for the and its metabolites zearalanone, α- worldwide future alternative energy zearalanol, β-zearalanol, α-zearalenol carrier, can be produced through and β-zearalenol. The estrogenic photofermentation by photosynthetic response was detected by a whole-cell bacteria, such as Rhodobacter biosensor based on a genetically sphaeroides , Rhodobacter capsulatus , modified S accharomyces cerevisiae Rhodospirullum rubrum and strain that in the presence of an Rhodopseudomonas palustris. estrogenic compound produces firefly luciferase-enzyme and further light Photofermentative emission within a system provided with by purple non-sulfur bacteria is a D-luciferin substrate. The results show potential candidate among biological that the yeast sensor reacts to hydrogen production methods. Hydrogen mycotoxins with typical sigmoidal is produced under anaerobic conditions response at nanomolar concentrations. in light using different organic substrates

14 as carbon source. The hydrogen realised. In order to compete with fossil evolution occurs mainly through the fuels on the world market, the Brazilian catalytic activity of the nitrogenases government intends to increase under non-repressive concentrations of sugarcane farming further in the next ammonia. However, total hydrogen years and to make the production of bio- production is constrained due to several ethanol more effective. reasons in purple non-sulfur (PNS) Today, Brazil already is the site of bacteria, such as consumption of almost one half of sugarcane production hydrogen by uptake of hydrogenase, world-wide. Commercially available inefficient hydrogen production capacity fuels in the country contain a bio-ethanol of nitrogenase, limited electron flow to admixture of between 20 and 25 per the nitrogenase, sensitivity of cent. nitrogenase towards ammonia, etc. Hence, PNS bacteria need to be With regard to the cooperation, the CTC manipulated genetically to overcome institute can provide a great deal of these limitations and to make the process experience in the breeding and practically feasible. In this article processing of sugarcane, while Bayer scientists of Turkey focuses on various CropScience has announced that the approaches for the genetic improvement company primarily will provide access of biohydrogen production by PNS to "gene technologies". The common bacteria. goal is the development of new varieties (Source: International Journal of Hydrogen with higher sugar content. According to Energy, 2010,Article in Press) press information from Bayer CropScience, early research results Brazil: greater sugarcane yield indicate a rise of 30 to 40 per cent. Approval applications for the first through gene technology commercial products are expected as early as 2015. In the next years, genetically modified (GM) sugarcane is expected to enter the CTC executive director Nelson Boeta Brazilian market and to deliver a sugar states, "We predict a great increase in content that has been increased by 30 to yield through the combination of our 40 per cent. Bayer CropScience and the sugarcane varieties with the technology Brazilian research institution CTC have from Bayer. Sugarcane is the most agreed upon "comprehensive competitively capable plant to date with cooperation" towards this goal. regard to winning and this cooperation with Bayer will The aim of the cooperation between the continue to increase competitive agro-firm, based in Germany, with the capacity." leading Brazilian research institute for (Source: GMO compass: www. gmo- sugarcane, CTC (Centro de Tecnologia th Canavieira), is the development of new compass.org, 29 May 2010) varieties with significantly enhanced sugar content. Sugarcane is the plant from which the highest exploitation of bio-fuel may be

15 FORTHCOMING EVENTS

11th International Novemer, 20, 2010 Buenos Aires, Argentina Symposium on the Biosafety Web: http://www.is/bgmo.info of Genetically Modified Email: [email protected] Organisms (ISBGMO) Brussels and Ghent GMO-FREE EUROPE September, 16-18 2010 Web: www.gmo-free-regions.org/ 2010, 6th European Email: info@gmo-free- Conference of GMO-Free regions.org Regions Symposium HortGen: Genetically Modified August 22-27, 2010 Lisbon ,Portugal Horticultural Crops, from the lab to the field E-mail symposium: (xxviii international [email protected] horticultural congress – IHC 2010) ISHS Genetically Modified Organisms in Horticulture September 12-16, 2011 Nelspruit , South Africa Symposium: Paving the way for a Sustainable Future E-mail: [email protected] Web:http://www.gmo2011.co.za/

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