introduction and historical review of biotechnology michael d. peel ndsu

Introduction and Historical Review of Biotechnology

Michael D. Peel

NDSU

Recent history of transgenic crops• Relative importance

– Farm community– Public

• Non crop applications of biotechnology to think about

Transgenic crops test by year in the US

Testing of transgenic crops since 1987

Product qualityHerbicide toleranceVirus resistanceInsect resistanceAgronomic properties

Transgenic traits approved/no longer regulated

Product qualityHerbicide toleranceVirus resistanceInsect resistanceAgronomic properties

Transgenic traits approved/no longer regulated

1

2

2

32

23

3

3

3

3 3

4

4

47

5

11

Production of Transgenic crops in the US

• Major crops approved– Corn– Soybean– Cotton

• Other approved crops– Tomato– Potato– Sugar beet– Canola– Rice– Plus others

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

2000 1999 1998

Corn

Soybeans

Cotton

Question?What are the benefits of

biotechnology?

Benefits of Bt• Corn

– Reduced insecticide use– Reduced lodging– Increased yield

• Cotton– Reduced use of

insecticides– Harvestable crop

Benefits to humans• Molecular based diagnosis

– Breast cancer– Parkinson's disease– Hemochromotosis– Genetic diseases in general

• Forensic– Crime– Identification of remains

• Improve nutrition– Yellow rice– Tomatoes high in lycopene, an antioxidant– Higher starch potato, adsorbs less fat when fried

We are seeing it in the Media

• PBS Frontline Xenotransplantation (3-27)– Parkinson's, injection of fetal pig neuro cells

into brain– Liver failure, liver from a transgenic pig use

until human liver available

• 60 Minutes II, (3-13)– Transgenic Salmon

GMP Start LinkYAC

GMO's

Are B

ad, B

ad, B

adTransgenic

Biotechnology will prevent starvation

GMOGEO

Genetically Engineered

What do all these terms mean

Questions to consider

• How does biotechnology affect me?

• How will biotechnology affect my children?

Program outline

AM• Understanding biotechnology

PM• Current status of transgenic crops• Biotech products and health issues• Regulation• Breakout sessions

– Social issues– Marketing