Vermont is the first and only state in the US to establish mandatory labels for food containing genetically modified organisms (GMOs). This thesis investigates the impact of the mandatory labeling law as it relates to changes in prices, quantities sold, and opinions of GMOs. First, grocery store scanner data from Vermont and Oregon are compared using triple difference (difference-in-difference-in-difference) models. Next, Vermont, Oregon, and Colorado survey response data are compared using difference-in-difference models. The findings reveal that there is a general price premium for non-GMO goods of $0.05/oz across all states and times, that mandatory labeling laws do not result in a short-term change in quantities sold or prices of GMO products, and that both mandatory labeling laws and failed mandatory labeling referendums cause an increase in support for GMOs in the food supply. The implications of this research are that mandatory GMO labels did not impact short-term prices or sales and increased the level of support for GMOs.

Il crescente sviluppo delle biotecnologie e della sua applicazione su numerose varietà vegetali ed altri organismi, ha suscitato negli ultimi anni una serie di preoccupazioni ed interrogativi sui potenziali rischi connessi con l'introduzione di questi organismi nell'ambiente. In questo contesto, il progetto è stato indirizzato all'effetto delle OGM sulla diversità dei microrganismi del suolo. Una perturbazione delle condizioni naturali dovuta agli OGM può indurre a fattori di stress che influiscono sulla struttura e sull'attività dei microrganismi del suolo, con conseguenze nel medio e lungo periodo. / The increasing development of the biotechnologies, and his application on numerous plants and other organism have aroused in the last years a series of worries and question on the potential risks connected with the introduction of such organism in the environment. In this context the project has been addressed to the effect of the GMO on the difference of soil microrganism. A perturbation of natural condition due to GMO can insert stress factor that influence the structure and the microbial activity of soil, with consequences and dangerous effects in the middle and long period.

As the third most important greenhouse gas, nitrous oxide (N2O) is a stable greenhouse gas and also plays a significant role in stratospheric ozone destruction. The primary anthropogenic source of N2O stems from the use of nitrogen in agriculture, with soils being the major contributors. Currently, the annual N2O emissions from this “soil–microbe-plant” system is more than 2.6 Tg (one Tg equals a million metric tons) of N2O-N globally. My doctoral studies aimed to explore innovative strategies for N2O mitigation, in the context of environmental microbiology’s potential contribution to alleviating global warming. The bacterial enzyme nitrous oxide reductase (N2OR), naturally found in some soils, is the only known enzyme capable of catalyzing the final step of the denitrification pathway, conversion of N2O to N2. Therefore, to “scrub” or reduce N2O emissions, bacterial N2OR was heterologously expressed inside the leaves and roots of transgenic plants. Others had previously shown that the functional assembly of the catalytic centres (CuZ) of N2OR is lacking when only nosZ is expressed in other bacterial hosts. There, coexpression of nosZ with nosD, nosF and nosY was found to be necessary for production of the catalytically active holoenzyme. I have generated transgenic tobacco plants expressing the nosZ gene, as well as tobacco plants in which the other four nos genes were coexpressed. More than 100 transgenic tobacco lines, expressing nosZ and nosFLZDY under the control of rolD promoter and d35S promoter, have been analyzed by PCR, RT-PCR and Western blot. The activity of N2OR expressed in transgenic plants, analyzed with the methyl viologen-linked enzyme assay, showed detectable N2O reducing activity. The N2O-reducing patterns observed were similar to that of the positive control purified bacterial N2OR. The data indicated that expressing bacterial N2OR heterologously in plants, without the expression of the accessory Nos proteins, could convert N2O into inert N2. This suggests that atmospheric phytoremediation of N2O by plants harbouring N2OR could be invaluable in efforts to reduce emissions from crop production fields.

This research project examines the degree of transparency of the Canadian Federal Government’s decision-making processes and institutions with respect to the human consumption of animals produced through modern biotechnology (biotechnology-produced animals). It provides a timely study of the Federal Government’s decision-making process; as of January 2013 the government has yet to determine whether, and how, biotechnology-produced animals are to be approved for human consumption. Foods that contain genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are already commercially widely available in Canada. Research is well underway to see if biotechnology-produced animals may also be developed and introduced into the food system. Government decisions regarding the human consumption of biotechnology-produced animals have the potential to revolutionize food systems globally and nationally. This thesis offers an analysis of primary and secondary data focusing on the degree of federal transparency with respect to regulating GMO foods generally and, more specifically, the emerging policy issues around biotechnology-produced animals. This exploration sets the stage for the following investigation of barriers as well as opportunities to fostering federal transparency with respect to policy and regulatory decisions regarding GMO foods. Findings are directed towards members of the communities of interest who are interested in questions relating to the degree of federal transparency and government approaches to foods that contain material produced through modern biotechnology.

As the third most important greenhouse gas, nitrous oxide (N2O) is a stable greenhouse gas and also plays a significant role in stratospheric ozone destruction. The primary anthropogenic source of N2O stems from the use of nitrogen in agriculture, with soils being the major contributors. Currently, the annual N2O emissions from this “soil–microbe-plant” system is more than 2.6 Tg (one Tg equals a million metric tons) of N2O-N globally. My doctoral studies aimed to explore innovative strategies for N2O mitigation, in the context of environmental microbiology’s potential contribution to alleviating global warming. The bacterial enzyme nitrous oxide reductase (N2OR), naturally found in some soils, is the only known enzyme capable of catalyzing the final step of the denitrification pathway, conversion of N2O to N2. Therefore, to “scrub” or reduce N2O emissions, bacterial N2OR was heterologously expressed inside the leaves and roots of transgenic plants. Others had previously shown that the functional assembly of the catalytic centres (CuZ) of N2OR is lacking when only nosZ is expressed in other bacterial hosts. There, coexpression of nosZ with nosD, nosF and nosY was found to be necessary for production of the catalytically active holoenzyme. I have generated transgenic tobacco plants expressing the nosZ gene, as well as tobacco plants in which the other four nos genes were coexpressed. More than 100 transgenic tobacco lines, expressing nosZ and nosFLZDY under the control of rolD promoter and d35S promoter, have been analyzed by PCR, RT-PCR and Western blot. The activity of N2OR expressed in transgenic plants, analyzed with the methyl viologen-linked enzyme assay, showed detectable N2O reducing activity. The N2O-reducing patterns observed were similar to that of the positive control purified bacterial N2OR. The data indicated that expressing bacterial N2OR heterologously in plants, without the expression of the accessory Nos proteins, could convert N2O into inert N2. This suggests that atmospheric phytoremediation of N2O by plants harbouring N2OR could be invaluable in efforts to reduce emissions from crop production fields.

Tomato has been genetically modified for providing properties such as insect-resistance or delayed-ripening. Tomato seeds purchased from several bazaars and markets were screened for the presence of genetic modification by targeting NptII kanamycin resistance, Nos terminator, and 35S promoter gene regions which are the most commonly transformed gene regions in transgenic plants, and then ripening-delayed tomato seeds were tried to be identified in this study. F type truncated-PG gene and Sam-k gene were selected as the indicator of genetically modified ripening delayed tomatoes. DNAs of 25 seed samples were isolated by CTAB method and examined with several primer pairs, and the primer sets that provided consistent results were selected to conduct routine testing by PCR analysis of the samples. In screening analysis via conventional PCR, 4 samples were amplified with 35S, Nos and NptII primer sets. Among other samples, 3 of them were amplified with 35S and Nos primer sets and 2 of them were amplified only with 35S primer set. The amplification was observed with Nos, NptII and Sam-k primers in one sample and this sample was identified as 35 1 N, since the sequence result of the PCR product amplified with Sam-k primers showed high homology with the Samase gene of T3 Coliphage. F type truncated PG gene was not observed in any of the samples. Although this study demonstrates the presence of commonly used gene regions in genetically modified tomatoes, further analysis of the genetically modified ripening delayed tomato seeds via construct specificor event specific PCR techniques is needed for confirmation.

Genetically modified organisms are entering the human diet in all over the world. In order to have transparency in the foods that are being consumed, there is a need to trace the genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in the market and consequently this need brings the necessity of analytical methods that are capable of detecting, identifying and quantifying the transgenic events. These analytical methods also form the basis of the labeling regulations that are tried to be formed regarding GMOs. The main aim of this study is to develop and apply the detection methods for the two of the tomato events, delayed ripening and insect resistant. Currently the only validated detection methods are mainly for the corn, soybean, and cotton. There is no validated detection method for tomato. Tomato is one of the most consumed food products in Turkey and it is also among the controversial organisms in terms of genetic modifications and labeling, therefore the analysis of the genetic modifications in tomato is crucial. In this study, DNA-based detection is performed, with PCR being the chosen method of study. In order to detect the GMO-derived DNA, the method of analysis includes the following studies: species-specific, screening, gene-specific, construct-specific and inverse PCR. In addition, the quantification method is developed using the real-time PCR. In order to develop the procedure of identification method, the reference samples are used and the unknown varieties that are to be analyzed using this method are expected to have similarities with the authorized transgenic events.

This master's thesis on the subject of public law will deal with the implications ”Directive 2001/18/EC on the deliberate release into the environment of genetically modified organisms” might have on the Swedish legal system. The purpose of the directive is to harmonize the European Union States legislation regarding licensing of the deliberate release of GMO’s into the environ­ment, this to maintain a high level of environmental protection and at the same time preserve the internal market of the European Union. The thesis will primarily examine how the provisions of the directive relating to the general principle of good administration have impacted the proce­dural autonomy of Sweden. It will also explore whether the provisions of the directive have im­pact­ed Sweden’s institutional autonomy. This study is to be regarded as the thesis’ main pur­pose. The master’s thesis will also briefly touch upon the general principle of good admini­stration, proce­dural and institutional autonomy and the European Union law’s judicial relation to the member states. A summary of the legislation process preceding the directive on the deliberate release into the environment of GMO’s can also be found, it focuses on the discussions in the different Institutions of the Euro­pean Union regarding the general principle of good admini­­stra­tion. A similar summary of the Swedish implementation process of the directive is also included. The thesis shows that several provisions in the directive regarding the general principle of good administration have in fact impacted the Swedish procedural autonomy. It also shows that Swedish legislators has been forced to introduce new procedural rules into Swedish law in order to meet the demands of the directive on the deliberate release into the environment of GMO’s while implementing the directive.  However, no major impact on the Swedish institutional autonomy has been noted.  At the end of the thesis the results and whether or not there is a need for a codified and uniform European administrative law is discussed.

Introduction. Theme of modern biotechnologies is an especially topical question, because there is no simple answer about possible harm to nature and human health done by Genetically Modified Organisms (hereinafter referred to as GMO) until now. On the other side, biotechnology industry is a future industry, which provides great possibilities to improve the welfare of whole nations. Survey of Lithuanian public opinion shows that society thinks of GMO not very favorably and inhabitants treat those new products not well enough; with a great care and do not trust in their safety. Public institutions do not pay much attention for public information campaigns. Paper objective. Research and estimation of society knowledge and information distribution concerning GMO and GMP and their possible impact on human health. Tasks. 1. To examine public knowledge related to GMO and GMP. 2. To explore public knowledge related to a possible risk of GMP for a human health. 3. To evaluate effectiveness of public information distribution structures while familiarizing the society with GMO and GMP and their influence on human health. 4. To suggest measures and ways for improvement of the distribution of public information concerning GMO and GMP. Research methods. Paper objective was to explore public knowledge on GMO, GMP and its impact on human health. Research has been carried out using methods of data analysis, comparison, generalization and questionnaire interview. The statistical data... [to full text]

Neatsiejama genetiškai modifikuotų organizmų (GMO) bei iš jų pagamintų produktų (GMP) teisinio reguliavimo dalis yra mokslas bei politika. –iame darbe analizuojamas GMO (GMP) teisinio reguliavimo raida ES ir Lietuvos Respublikoje. Nagrinėjamos tokios GMO ir GMP teisinio reguliavimo problemos, kaip etikos nuostatų suderinimas su žmogaus genų naudojimu kuriant maistui skirtus produktus; ES institucijų ir valstybių narių pozicijų išsikyrimas siekiant uždrausti apgalvotą GMO išleidimą į aplinką; visuomenės dalyvavimo priimant sprendimus dėl GMO (GMP) problematika ES ir Lietuvos Respublikoje – visuomenės „motyvuotos nuomonės“ instituto neefektyvumas. Taip pat analizuojamos ES teisės nuostatų dėl sankcijų nustatymo už GMO (GMP) reguliuojančių teisės aktų pažeidimus įgyvendinimo Lietuvos Respublikoje problemos t.y. nacionalinėje teisėje nenustačius atsakomybės pagrindiniams su GMO (GMP) veikla susijusiems juridiniams asmenims, praktiškai išlieka jų nebaudžiamumas; tai pat pažymėtina, kad teisės aktų, reglamentuojančių GMO ir GMP naudojimą, reikalavimų pažeidimai yra pakankamai skirtingo pobūdžio, o ATPK jie išvardinti viename straipsnyje, kartu numatyta gana didelis skiriamos baudos mažiausias dydis, - visa tai praktikoje sąlygoja nuobaudų neskyrimą bei neužtikrina Direktyvoje 2001/18/EB įtvirtintos sankcijos veiksmingumo, proporcingumo ir atgrasumo. Darbe nagrinėjamos tarptautinių sutarčių - Biologinės įvairovės ir Orhuso konvencijų - nuostatos dėl GMO bei jų įtaka ES ir Lietuvos... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / Science and politics are part and parcel of law regulation of genetically modified organisms (GMO) and products (GMP) made from them. This work analyses development of law regulation of GMO (GMP) in ES and Lithuanian Republic. Such problems as ethical attitude towards usage of human genes in food production, distinction of ES isntitutions and member states according to their position, in purpose to forbid deliberate release of GMO into environment, problems of society involvment in taking decisions about GMO (GMP) in ES and Lithuanian Republic, inefficiency of public institute of "motivated opinion" (public comments) are disscussed in this work. Such topics as realisation of ES rules for definition of sanctions for breaking laws of GMO (GMP) usage in Lithuania Republic and rules of international contracts, such as Cartagena protocol on biosafety to the convention on biological diversity and Orhus convention, and their influence upon law regulation in ES and Lithuanian Republic are also disscussed here.