What is Food Biotechnology?What is Food Biotechnology?Food biotechnology is the evolutionevolution of traditionaltraditional agricultural techniques such as crossbreeding and fermentation.

It is an extension of the type of food development that has provided nectarines, tangerines and similar advancements.

Technically Speaking...Technically Speaking...

Food biotechnology employs the tools of modern genetics to enhance beneficial traits of plants, animals and microorganisms for food production. It involves adding or extracting select genes to achieve desired traits.

The musical stylings ofThe musical stylings of Dr. Karl Winters Dr. Karl Winters

There must be more to it than that, DocThere must be more to it than that, Doc

• DNA makes RNA makes PROTEIN

• Must be a protein already in existence

• A “Selectable Marker” is required to identify the clone.

• The selectable marker is usually antibiotic resistance, which does not make YOU antibiotic resistant.

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And how do they do that…?And how do they do that…?

Other types of biotechnologyOther types of biotechnology

• Clonal propagation

• Random mutagenisis and selection (directed evolution)

• Metabolic redirection

• Use of “xenophiles”

Food Biotechnology Food Biotechnology ApplicationsApplications

• Biotechnology methods are currently used to improve many foods.

• Food biotechnology has had a profound positive impact on farming and food security.

• At least twelve industrialized and four developing countries currently use some form of food biotechnology.

Consumer Benefits ofConsumer Benefits ofFood BiotechnologyFood Biotechnology

The Colbert Report The Colbert Report

Many people get their information from (fake) news.

• Taste and Quality– Delayed ripening allows

fruits and vegetables to remain fresh longer

Flavorsavar®. – Increased solids give

foods superior tasteand less water to remove

for sauces.

• Nutrition– Some oils are lower in

saturated fat and higher in oleic acid, making them more stable for frying without further processing.

– Some foods have lower levels of saturated fat.

J. Amer. Dietetic Assoc.,2006;106:285-293

• Health– Some foods have enhanced

nutritional profiles.– Biotechnology allows for the

production of foods to help protect against diseases.

– Enhanced foods will soon offer higher levels of antioxidant vitamins to reduce risk of cancer. Now being commercialized at Rutgers! (black tea extract).

How Nutrients Regulate GenesHow Nutrients Regulate GenesNutrientNutrient Gene impactGene impact Disease Disease

potentialpotential

Folic acid DNA methylation Cancer

Fatty acidsBind to transcription factors

Obesity

Vitamin D mRNA stability Kidney disease

FlavonesIncrease mRNA synthesis

Cancer

TheaflavinsDecrease mRNA synthesis(anti-inflamatory)

Arthritis

WellGen, Inc.WellGen, Inc.is the first biotechnology company using nutrigenomics to discover and develop proprietary products that treat and prevent disease

Nutrigenomics addresses

the role of diet in gene expression

Consumers Support Consumers Support Food BiotechnologyFood Biotechnology

• Nearly two-thirds believe food biotechnology will benefit their family in the next five years.

• More than half would choose products modified to taste better or fresher.

• Two-thirds would likely buy produce protected against insect damage.

Source: Wirthlin Worldwide, October 1999

Environmental Impact of Environmental Impact of Agricultural BiotechnologyAgricultural Biotechnology

• Healthier plants result in higher yields.

• Insect-protected crops reduce the need for insecticides.

• Biotechnology helps protect water (less pesticide run off, less erosion.)

Economic Impact of Economic Impact of Agricultural BiotechnologyAgricultural Biotechnology

• Food biotechnology results in higher plant yields, increasing farmers’ efficiency.

• Farmer production costs are reduced.

• Debilitating plant diseases and insect pests are often preventable.

Combating HungerCombating Hunger

• Food biotechnology allows more food to be produced on less land.

• Economic benefits will allow food biotechnology to contribute to combating global hunger.

Combating HungerCombating Hunger

• Food biotechnology allows more food to be produced on less land.

• Economic benefits will allow food biotechnology to contribute to combating global hunger.

FDA

USDA

AMA

IFT

FAO/WHO

ADA

Food Biotechnology Food Biotechnology Is SafeIs Safe

• Food biotechnology is one of the most extensively reviewed agricultural advancements to date.

• Studies to date have shown no evidence of any harmful effects.

FDA’s basic paradigmFDA’s basic paradigm

• Is the gene coming from the donor well characterized?

• Is the vector (plasmid) well characterized?

• Is the recipient of the gene well characterized?

Potential Problems with GE FoodsPotential Problems with GE Foods• Antibiotic resistance (significance needs

to be determined)• Introduction of new proteins into foods

(FDA seeks comments)• Plants used to make nonfood substances.• Special concerns with animal feeds.• ---------------------• Unintended “pleotropic” effects• Increases of known toxins, decreases in

nutrients• Activation of dormant pathways, allergens

U.S. Labeling Policy for U.S. Labeling Policy for Food BiotechnologyFood Biotechnology

• FDA safety standards are consistent for all foods.– Must label the presence of common allergens

not normally found in certain foods– Must demonstrate scientifically that allergens

are not present in modified food.– If nutritional content or composition has been

changed, product must be labeled accordingly.

Consumers Support Consumers Support Labeling PolicyLabeling Policy

• More than two-thirds of consumers support the FDA labeling policy Source: Wirthlin Worldwide, October 1999

Support FDAlabeling policy

Oppose FDAlabeling policy

Don'tknow/refused

What Does the Future Hold?What Does the Future Hold?Food biotechnology has the potential to:• Reduce levels of natural toxins

in plants• Provide simpler and faster ways

to locate pathogens, toxins and contaminants

• Keep products fresher longer• Identify ways to eliminate

allergens from many foods• Increase food supply to support

growing world population and decreasing agricultural space.

So what’s the bottom line, Doc?So what’s the bottom line, Doc?

• It depends on the use.

• It depends on the market.

• It depends on how you vote.