Science of Genetically Engineered Crops (AKA GMOs) Margaret Smith Plant Breeding & Genetics Cornell University Topics • What is a “GMO”? • How is genetic engineering done? • Where are products from GE varieties found in our food and feed systems? What is a “GMO”? • It depends on who you ask! • Genetically modified organism – Organism = a plant, animal, or microbe – Foods are not organisms, thus not “GMO” – Food products or ingredients might come from a GMO • What is considered “genetically modified”? 2016 US Labeling Act • “Bioengineering” refers to a food: – “That contains genetic material that has been modified through in vitro recombinant DNA techniques; and – For which the modification could not otherwise be obtained through conventional breeding or found in nature.” UN FAO / WHO Definition “Genetically engineered/modified organisms, and products thereof, are produced through techniques in which the genetic material has been altered in a way that does not occur naturally by mating and/or natural recombination.” Which are “natural”? • Domestication • Farmer selection of new crops and varieties • Cross breeding • Genetic engineering Techniques that produce “GMO” varieties • Genetic engineering Techniques that produce “GMO” varieties • Genetic engineering • Cell or protoplast fusion? Techniques that produce “GMO” varieties • Genetic engineering • Cell or protoplast fusion? • Gene editing? Techniques that produce “GMO” varieties • Genetic engineering • Cell or protoplast fusion? • Gene editing? • Gene drives? Am I eating foods from genetically engineered crops? What foods contain GE crops? • 60-70% of supermarket foods have ingredients from a GE variety • Products made with soy or corn most obvious • Products with soy or corn derivatives • Limited fresh produce Food for Thought * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Ingredient may be made from a genetically-engineered organism The Food Supply GE Crops Non-GE Crops Harvesting Detection Equip. & Trucks DNA Protein Fresh Market Whole Foods Produce & Grain (corn, tomatoes...) Refined Processed Foods Ingredients (syrups, flours, oils) Nutrients & Derivatives Vitamins (Vitamins C, E…) Corn Wet Milling Source: Oregon State University Case in point: Original Cheerios Which ingredients could come from GE varieties? What is corn starch? • Mixture of amylose and amylopectin Amylose – Chains of glucose • No DNA, no protein What is beet (or cane) sugar? • Sucrose • No DNA, no protein Are the new Cheerios different? Summary • “GMO” ~ genetically engineered organism • Most are produced by introducing one or a few genes from an unrelated species – Cell/protoplast fusion? – Gene editing and gene drives?? • Ingredients from GE varieties are in many processed foods – Most are highly refined (purified) – No means to test if the source variety was GE or not... Thank you! Support from USDA-NIFA Smith Lever and Hatch Funds and Cornell’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences is gratefully acknowledged..