Forum: Environment Committee
Issue: The Question of Management of Biotechnologies
Student Officer: Elena Dalla Riva
Position: Co-Chair
Genetic modification (GM), genetic manipulation (GM) and genetic engineering (GE) all
refer to the use of modern biotechnology techniques to insert, inactive, eliminate or modify
some genes in an organism, such as an animal or a plant. A GMO is therefore a living
organism in which DNA has been changed using recombinant DNA techniques. Opinions
of GMOs use are very different, there is not a common accord on methods of regulation
and not all countries that are involved in GMOs production have ratified the Cartagena
Protocol yet (it was adopted on 29 January 2000 and entered into force on 11 September
2003). Also the attitude towards GMOs in different continents is controversial. In Europe
the approval of European Food Safety Authority (EFSA, which has the task of approve or
reject a request for scientific advice) is needed before a new food obtained with
recombinant DNA techniques can be put on the market, whereas in America there is not a
so strict control and genetically modified foods are largely used. Those opposite ways of
seeing GMOs stress their dual nature: on one side they improve the quality of the food that
is served to people, they contain more vitamins, they are more resistant to some insects
so it is not required the use of pesticides and the shape of the product is bigger or smaller,
it depends on situations; on the other side there is the problem that the more they are
resistant the more they are weed leading to disrupting ecosystem and health risks. Facing
this final consideration is necessary to solve the problem of the management of
biotechnologies.
KEY TERMS
Biotechnology: defined by The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD, 5 June 1992-4
June 1993, signed by 168 States, included the USA) as: “any technological application that
uses biological systems, living organisms, or derivatives thereof, to make or modify
products or processes of specific use”.
Genetically Modified Organism: according to the World Health Organization (WHO) and
to the European Directive 2001/18 it is: “an organism, with the exception of human
beings, in which the genetic material has been altered in a way that does not occur
naturally by mating and/or natural recombination”.
Cartagena Protocol: The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to the Convention on
Biological Diversity is an international agreement which aims to ensure the safe handling,
transport and use of living modified organisms (LMOs) resulting from modern
biotechnology that may have adverse effects on biological diversity, taking also into
account risks to human health.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
New genetic engineering techniques allow scientists to insert genes directly into plants and
animals avoiding the long slow process of selective breading in order to obtain
characteristics that can improve or simplify human lives. Although it can sound as an
innovative and technological procedure, 10,000 years ago ancients first tried to select
plants with useful traits. In fact on one hand researches started to satisfy the necessity of
creating plants and animals with higher nutritional values, resistant to biotic and abiotic
stresses, such as fungal and bacterial pathogens. On the other hand animals were
selected for their productivity, such as cows that were able to produce more milk than
others, or for their physical appearance.
Nowadays, in which recombinant DNA techniques are used, there is a lot of controversy
and fear over GMOs and many countries have banned their growth or only allowed their
sail if they are labelled.
Most experts agree that, provided GMOs are tested properly, the health risks to individuals
should be minimal from plant products, although minor problems will occur. Health risks
from animal GMOs are potentially more serious, especially when the animals are for
human consumption. The potential benefits to be gained from the use of GMOs creates
enormous pressure to apply the existing technology. However, there are many concerns,
including the environmental and socio-economic effects, and problems of unregulated use.
There is also concern about the environmental and economic costs of possible GMOs
accidents.
Currently a matter of great concern to consumers is the adequacy of government
regulations for the labelling of food products with GMO content. This may have important
trade implications for countries exporting and importing GMO produce.
Potential effects of GMOs
1. increase in food production
2. decrease in use of pesticides, herbicides and animal remedies
3. improve in the health of the human population and the medicine used to achieve it
4. possible development of transgenic products which may be harmful to some (e.g. new
proteins causing allergies)
5. possible spread of transgenes into other species: plants, indigenous species, animals,
humans
6. concerns that the release of GMOs into the environment may be irreversible
7. animal welfare and ethical issues: GM animals may suffer poor health and reduce life
span
8. GMOs may cause the emergence of pest, insects, or microbial resistance to traditional
control methods
9. may create a monopoly and dependence of developing countries on companies who
are seeking to control the world's commercial seed supply
MAJOR PLAYERS AND ORGANIZATIONS INVOLVED
Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO): with the emanation of the Codex
Alimentarius (1963) FAO established rules for cultivate GMOs in safety. Actually it does not
take a part in the discussion of GMOs, but it remarks that GMOs food is not the solution to
world hunger and it has to be regulated during all its steps. This last consideration was
made in relation to environmental and health impact that GMOs have on the flora and
fauna nearby they are cultivated.
World Health Organization (WHO): this organization works with the FAO to ensure the
safety of food. The WHO has specific departments to assist national authorities in the
safety assessment of foods (Codex alimentarius) and to provide technical advice.
European Food Safety Authority (EFSA): it is needed the control of the EFSA before
any authorization in selling a GMO’s product in Europe is given.
United States of America (USA): nowadays, they are the leaders in GMO production. In
2012 the 40% of biotech crops in the world was produced in the USA. In 2013 it was
calculated that 90% of cotton and corn and 93% of soybeans were resistant to herbicides
and insects as a result of genetic modifications.
Argentina: it was among the first countries in the world to use genetically modified (GM)
crops in agriculture, using GM technologies in the production of soybeans, corn, and
cotton. Argentina first started using GM technologies in 1996 with the introduction of
soybeans tolerant of the herbicide glyphosate. Since then, Argentina has increased its
production of GM crops to become the third largest grower of biotech crops in the world,
after the United States and Brazil. There have been recent demonstrations against the US
company Monsanto in Malvinas, in the Province of Córdoba, near the main entrance of a
new seed plant currently under construction. Monsanto is planning to start construction of
240 silos for the storage of GMO corn that is chemically treated. These silos have shafts
that need ventilation through fans. The population living close to the future plant opposes
the exposure to the chemical dust that those fans would spread throughout the area.
Monsanto has been blamed for damage to the health of persons allegedly caused by longterm exposure to a company’s herbicide.
Brazil: in 2012, Brazil was the second major producer of GMO crops, as soybean, maize
and cotton, in the world, with an area of thirty million hectares dedicated to the planting of
GMOs, which was only behind the United States with an area of 69 million hectares. In
Brazil, genetically modified organisms are regulated by Law N° 11,105 of March 24 2005,
which regulates principles established by the Constitution regarding the preservation of the
environment and the country’s genetic patrimony, as well as the supervision of entities
dedicated to research and manipulation of genetic material.
Canada: It is the third largest producer of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in the
world. It is one of the largest producers of GM canola oil and other GM crops including
maize, soybean, and beet. In Canada, GMOs used either as food or animal feed must be
approved before entering the market. The approval process is based on numerous
regulations that are enforced by Health Canada for foods, the Canadian Food Inspection
Agency (CFIA) for seeds and livestock feed, and Environment Canada for new substances
intended for environmental release. Approvals for GMOs are required for both locally
produced and imported products. As of 2012, over eighty-one genetically modified foods
had been approved by CFIA. Public opinion polls have consistently shown that a large
majority of Canadians are concerned about GMOs. Canada regulates products derived
from biotechnology processes as part of its existing regulatory framework for “novel
products.” The focus is on the traits expressed in the products and not on the method used
to introduce those traits. The CFIA is responsible for regulating genetically modified (GM)
plants and approving GM feed for animals. Health Canada is mandated to assess the
safety of foods for human consumption, including genetically modified organisms (GMOs)
in foodstuff, and for authorizing them to be sold in Canada. Advertising or labeling the
presence of GMOs in particular food is voluntary unless there is a health or safety
concern.
India: the only genetically modified crop there is Bt cotton. The use of this crop was
approved in 2002, and since then India has grown up and began the second-larger cotton
manufacturer in the world. Today, GM seeds account for over 90% of cotton sown in India.
In India, the regulation of all activities related to GMOs and products derived from GMOs is
governed by “Rules for the Manufacture/Use/Import/Export and Storage of Hazardous
Microorganisms, Genetically Engineered Organisms or Cells”, 1989 (commonly referred to
as Rules, 1989) under the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 through
the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF).
TIMELINE
1935 – DNA Discovered: Russian scientist Andrei Nikolaevitch Belozersky isolates pure
DNA.
1951-1953 – Discovery of the double helix: scientists James Watson and Francis Crick
discovered that the DNA was composed by a double helix that explained how genes
control the chemical processes within cells.
1973 – Recombinant DNA Created: first was intended a man-made DNA, or rDNA, from
a grad student at Stanford University Medical School, then Professor Herbert Boyer, and a
few of his biologist colleagues run into it.
1974 – First genetically modified DNA organism: Stanley Cohen, Annie Chang and
Herbert Boyer created the first genetically modified DNA organism.
1975 – Asilomar Conference: A group of biologists at the Asilomar State Beach get
together with a few lawyers and doctors to create guidelines for the safe use of genetically
engineered DNA.
1988 – First transgenic corn produced by Smith and White
1994 – GMO Hits Grocery Stores: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approves the
Flavr Savr tomato for sale on grocery store shelves.
1996 – GMO-Resistant Weeds: Super weeds resistant to glyphosate, the herbicide used
with many GMO crops, are detected in Australia, they are 7 to 11 times more resistant to
glyphosate than the standard.
1998 – Mandatory Labels: The European Union rules in favor of mandatory labeling on
all GMO food products.
1999 – GMO Food Crops Dominate: Over 100 million acres worldwide are planted with
genetically engineered seeds. The marketplace begins embracing GMO technology at an
alarming rate.
RELEVANT TREATES
•
•
Codex Alimentarius, 1963: The Codex Alimentarius international food standards,
guidelines and codes of practice contribute to the safety, quality and fairness of this
international food trade. Consumers can trust the safety and quality of the food
products they buy and importers can trust that the food they ordered will be in
accordance with their specifications.
The Cartagena Protocol, 2003: it is the first biosafety protocol.
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
The question of management of biotechnologies is a very delicate one, due to the contrary
behave of different states and to the point of view on GMOs in general.
Firstly, it would be spontaneous to think about a way by which reconcile all Member States
of UN so that in all UN countries there could be a unified management of OGMs.
Globally speaking, a juridical consensus would be the best resolution to the issue: if every
State signed and ratified the Cartagena Protocol there would be more certainties about
GMOs.
Moreover, with the globalization lots of people travel around the world and many want to
know what they are eating therefore labelling all products saying the provenience and the
type of cultivation would be a start. It is necessary to think also about all people that want
to avoid GMOs from their diet, maybe for allergy problems, and it would be a problem
without a label that certificate that. Currently only 64 countries have labelled their GMOs,
but that is not the case of the USA that are the biggest producers of genetically modified
crops.
RESOURCES
http://www.efsa.europa.eu/
http://www.who.int/en/
http://www.fao.org/
http://gmoinside.org/
http://www.ucsusa.org/
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
https://www.cbd.int/