Transgenic seeds: A bioethics debate?The aim of this paper is to analyze, from a bioethical perspective, the social, cultural, environmental and moral impacts of the use of biotechnology for breeding transgenic crops. We place greater emphasis with regard to the use of transgenic seeds in agriculture, and their advantages and disadvantages compared to traditional crops. Transgenic crops are genetically modified organisms (GMO). There have been two antagonistic views about transgenic crops only due to its definition. We address the issue of transgenic seeds presenting these two views, and make a bioethical analysis that allows us to make a synthesis that may set what could be the most appropriate standing on this issue in light of bioethical principles. / El propósito del presente artículo es analizar, desde una perspectiva bioética, el impacto social, cultural, ambiental y moral del uso de la biotecnología moderna en el mejoramiento transgénico de los cultivos. Pondremos mayor énfasis en lo referente al uso de semillas transgénicas en la agricultura y sus ventajas o desventajas frente a los cultivos llamados tradicionales. Los transgénicos son organismos vivos genéticamente modificados (OGM). Solo con la definición de lo que es un transgénico, han aparecido dos corrientes antagónicas acerca de qué es y, qué no es lo correcto. Abordaremos el tema de las semillas transgénicas, presentando estas dos opiniones, para posteriormente hacer un análisis bioético que nos permitirá hacer una síntesis con la cual estableceremos qué es lo más adecuado respecto de este tema a la luz de los principios bioéticos

A introdução de variedades transgênicas de soja provocou grandes alterações no mercado mundial e na legislação de países produtores e compradores, principalmente no que se refere à certificação, rastreabilidade, biossegurança e rotulagem. A soja é responsável por quase metade das receitas com exportação do Brasil, estando presente na forma de matéria-prima ou ingrediente em parte significativa dos alimentos no mercado brasileiro. O limite estabelecido de 1,0 % para presença de transgênicos em alimentos, acima do qual a rotulagem passa a ser obrigatória, gerou a demanda por materiais de referência para controle e quantificação em matérias-primas e alimentos, para harmonização e uniformização dos resultados obtidos em diferentes equipamentos e laboratórios, atualmente produzidos com exclusividade pelo Instituto de Materiais de Referência e Medidas - IRMM, na Bélgica. Diante do alto custo e da dificuldade de obtenção destes produtos, foram elaborados, utilizando-se técnica de moagem e mistura criogênica, com verificação por PCR em tempo real, candidatos a materiais de referência para soja transgênica Roundup Ready® (soja RR) em pó nas concentrações de 0%, 0,1%, 0,5%, 1,0%, 2,0% e 5% de material transgênico. Para rastrear a origem da soja transgênica, aplicou-se o método de marcadores AFLP sobre 29 variedades de soja RR, sendo 21 argentinas e 8 brasileiras, encontrando-se 6 bandas polimórficas, produtos de 4 pares de primers, selecionados de um total de 67 reações usando diferentes combinações de primers seletivos. Por este método, foram caracterizadas 15 das variedades argentinas e todas as variedades brasileiras. Para alimentos processados em análise de PCR, adotou-se a estratégia de detecção de fragmentos curtos (cerca de 100 pb) de soja RR, com desenho de primers usando programas computacionais de livre acesso na Internet (Primer3, NetPrimer, Rebase) e validação por digestão com endonucleases e sequenciamento. Foram estabelecidos dois novos conjuntos de primers para detecção e quantificação de fragmentos dos genes da lectina e CP4 EPSPS de soja RR, testados nas 29 variedades de soja RR e três matrizes de alimentos à base de soja / The introduction of soybean transgenic cultivars brought several changes in both world trade and regulation rules for producers and consumers, mainly in relation to certification, traceability, biosafety and labeling. Soybean is one of the largest commodities in the world trade and responsible for half of the Brazilian export incomings, present as raw material or ingredient in significant part of foods in the local market. The adoption of the threshold of 1,0 % for nonintentional presence of GMO in food, requiring obligatory labeling for contents above this level, demands reference materials for the control and quantification of transgenics in raw material and processed food, allowing the harmonization of results from different methods and laboratories, currently being produced exclusively by the Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements - IRMM, in Belgium. Due to the high costs and difficulty to obtain these products, candidate reference materials of Roundup Ready® transgenic soybean (RR soybean) were produced at levels of 0 %, 0,1 %, 0,5 %, 1,0 %, 2,0 % and 5,0 % of transgenic material, using cryogenic milling and mixing techniques, with subsequent verification by real time PCR. Tracing of Roundup Ready cultivars by origin was done through AFLP molecular markers in a total of 29 RR soybean cultivars: 21 Argentinean and 8 Brazilian cultivars. Fingerprinting was possible in 15 Argentinean and all Brazilian cultivars through 6 bands obtained from 4 selective pairs of primers, singled out from 67 different combinations of selective primers. For PCR analysis of processed food, primers were designed using freeware sources over the Internet (Primer3, NetPrimer, Rebase) for short fragments amplification (around 100 bp). Primers sets for the amplification of lectin and CP4 EPSPS gene fragments from RR soybean were designed for the detection of these genes in the 29 RR soybean cultivars and three soybean based food matrices, with the results validated by endonucleases digestion and sequencing

As primeiras plantações brasileiras de organismos geneticamente modificados (OGM) aconteceram no Rio Grande do Sul, em 1997. As sementes plantadas correspondem à soja Roundup Ready, usualmente chamada de soja transgênica, cujos direitos de propriedade pertencem a Monsanto. Em 1998 instalou-se a controvérsia, pois foi divulgado na imprensa que existiam extensas plantações no norte do estado, a partir de sementes contrabandeadas da Argentina. A controvérsia mobilizou atores governamentais, associações de agricultores, empresas, pequenos e grandes produtores, universidades e centros de pesquisa. Logo, este estudo tem por objetivo compreender o processo inovativo da soja transgênica no Rio Grande do Sul a partir da rede de atores no período de 1998 a 2003, ano da divulgação da MP 131 que permitiu a comercialização da safra transgênica. Para isto, foi adotada a perspectiva da Actor Network Theory, que considera humanos e não-humanos como atores no processo de criação de novas tecnologias. A esta perspectiva soma-se uma formulação mais explícita de poder, a fim de compreender como se dá o processo inovativo em países periféricos, a partir de uma discussão sobre hegemonia e sobre o papel das grandes empresas multinacionais. A análise de dados foi feita através da análise crítica de discurso, sendo identificadas três cadeias de tradução construídas pela rede de atores que se entrecruzam e constroem a soja transgênica: 1) a cadeia que utiliza o discurso do OGM como fonte de ganhos econômicos aliados à preservação ambiental e ao fim da fome no mundo, 2) a cadeia que liga a soja transgênica à hegemonia do capital internacional e 3) a cadeia que associa os transgênicos às incertezas ambientais e de saúde. Por fim, o processo inovativo da soja transgênica é um processo político, sendo que a própria soja transgênica pode ser compreendida como um objeto político. / The first Brazilian plantations of genetic modified organisms (GMOs) took place at the State of Rio Grande do Sul in 1997. The seeds then cultivated were those of the so called Roundup Ready Soya, usually known as transgenic Soya and which property rights belong to Monsanto. In 1998, a controversial debate began when the press spread the information that Roundup Ready Soya seeds were being smuggled from Argentina and cultivated at north of the State. The controversies mobilized governmental actors, agriculture associations, enterprises, small and big producers, universities and research centers. Within this context, this work seeks to understand the innovative process of transgenic Soya at Rio Grande do Sul looking at its actors network between 1998 and 2003, this last being the year of the provisory federal law 131, which has legalized the transgenic Soya at Brazil. To achieve this purpose, the Actor Network Theory perspective was adopted because it sees human and not human beings as actors in the process of new technologies creation. To this perspective a more explicit formulation of power is added in order to understand how the innovative process in peripheral countries takes place based on a discussion about hegemony and the role of big multinational companies. Data analysis was done following the critical analysis of discourse. Three chains of translation built by the actors' network were identified as intertwining and generating the transgenic Soya: (1st) the chain that uses the GMO discourse as a source of economic profit combined with environmental preservation and the end of world hunger; (2nd) the chain that attaches Soya to international capital hegemony; and (3rd) the chain that associates transgenic organisms to environmental and health uncertainties. To resume, it is said that the innovative process of transgenic Soya is a political process, being the transgenic Soya in itself possibly seen as a politic object.

Submitted by Gabriela Lopes (gmachadolopesufpel@gmail.com) on 2018-07-10T16:59:02Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Jonathan Henrique da Silva.pdf: 1356073 bytes, checksum: d3380b2d7e83302b331bb6e8ef2819d3 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Aline Batista (alinehb.ufpel@gmail.com) on 2018-07-12T14:39:25Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Jonathan Henrique da Silva.pdf: 1356073 bytes, checksum: d3380b2d7e83302b331bb6e8ef2819d3 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Aline Batista (alinehb.ufpel@gmail.com) on 2018-07-12T14:43:24Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Jonathan Henrique da Silva.pdf: 1356073 bytes, checksum: d3380b2d7e83302b331bb6e8ef2819d3 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-07-12T14:43:36Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Jonathan Henrique da Silva.pdf: 1356073 bytes, checksum: d3380b2d7e83302b331bb6e8ef2819d3 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-08-29 / Hoje a biotecnologia e uma das principais tecnologias para a manutenção e aumento das produtividades nos países em desenvolvimento, atrelado a isso o crescimento da cultura da soja no país esteve sempre associado aos avanços científicos e a disponibilização de tecnologias ao setor produtivo. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi o de investigar a evolução histórica da adoção da soja transgênica num grupo de produtores na região do Baixo Araguaia no estado do Mato Grosso, tendo como foco principal a tecnologia INTACTA RR2 PRO determinando qual a variedade com esta tecnologia era mais utilizada pelo grupo de produtores da região e por fim captando a expectativa de adoção para a safra 2016/2017. Para isso foi escolhido um grupo de produtores da região do Baixo Araguaia Mato-Grossense que melhor representasse a região. A coleta de dados foi obtida através de um questionário que buscou captar a real percepção e adoção da tecnologia. No estudo realizado no grupo de produtores, foi possível constatar que 90% utilizam sementes de soja transgênica em suas propriedades. O uso da tecnologia INTACTA RR2 PRO, na cultura da soja demonstrou evolução consistente nas ultimas safras, 85% dos produtores entrevistados utilizarão a tecnologia na safra 2016/2017, sendo a variedade Msoy 8372 IPRO a que apresenta maior intenção de plantio para a próxima safra. / Nowadays, biotechnology is one of the key technologies for maintenance and increased productivity in developing countries, linked to that of the soybean growth in the country has always been associated with scientific advances and the availability of technology in the productive sector. This study aimed to investigate the historical evolution of the adoption of transgenic soybeans in a group of farmers in the Baixo Araguaia in the state of Mato Grosso. With a focus on INTACT RR2 PRO technology, determining which variety with this technology is more used by the group of farmers in the region and finally capturing the expected adoption for the 2016/2017 harvest. For this, we chose a group of farmers of Baixo Araguaia of Mato Grosso State - Brazil that represent better the region. Data collection was obtained through a questionnaire that sought to capture the real perception and adoption of RR2 PRO technology. In the study we found 90% of the farmer's group use transgenic soybean seeds on their properties. Use of INTACT RR2 PRO soybean technology demonstrated consistent growth in recent harvest, 85% of respondents producers are going to use this technology in the 2016/2017 harvest. The variety Msoy 8372 IPRO shows the highest intention of planting for the next harvest.

With the global population expected to reach more than 10 billion by the year 2050, one of the global challenges will be in meeting the growing food demand. Coupled with the effects of climate change on the environment, the world will need plant varieties that can adapt to changing environmental conditions to meet the food production challenge. A viable option to aid food production is using genetic modification for more specific plant breeding and crop optimization. The usage of genetic modification has been highly debated since the course of its first developed commercialized crop. The consumer concerns, stringent regulations and rigorous testing genetically modified crops face, may be circumvented with the legally undefined development of new biotechnological advancements such as CRISPR. This study aims to investigate whether arguments used against GMOs from different stakeholders and antiGM NGOs in Sweden are applicable to the CRISPR technique. Through content analysis of policy documents of influential stakeholders and a literature review of the scientific literature, major concerns with GMOs are identified and their applicability to the CRISPR technique analyzed. This study finds that the most prevalent reservations against GMOs do not apply to the new biotechnology, although the applicability and in effect acceptance of CRISPR among Swedish stakeholders depends on its legal classification, which the European Commission has yet to determine. The findings in this study also indicate that the reservations against GMOs are based on misconceptions and that if CRISPR falls into the same legal category, it will be subject to the same obstacles in its implementation. The implications of its categorical classification may in addition affect a possible utilization of CRISPR among Swedish crop producers in taking part in the global food production challenge. This study concludes that while the prevalent reservations against GMOs do not apply to CRISPR, its acceptance may solely rely on its legal classification and as such there is a need for a closer look on the regulations around the various biotechnologies, as well as a need for better biotechnological communication between researchers, decision makers and consumers.

This is a case study dissertation to research the socio-political conflict surrounding Gilles Eric Séralini’s et al (2012) research on the toxicity of Monsanto’s NK603 line of corn and the herbicide Roundup. The study analyzes this conflict as a system of interconnected and often conflicting interests, assumptions and ideologies about how knowledge is created and transformed from the research stage to the policy implementation stage. The goal of this study is to: 1.) analyze critical surface level and underlying factors that contribute to the conflict; 2.) analyze systemic processes between national and international researchers, private interests and government policymakers in developing and implementing research protocols, policies and regulations pertaining (but not limited) to Monsanto’s NK603 corn and Roundup; 3.) identify potential patterns of knowledge transformation from the research stage to policy implementation. The theoretical approach used in this study considers social construction, critical theory and Kuhn’s theory of scientific revolution. In utilizing case study methodology, this study incorporates internal analysis of Séralini’s case with a basic comparative analysis of DDT and lead policy processes and knowledge transformation, using mainly secondary data sources supplemented with primary interview material from two select researchers using purposive sampling. By conducting this research, it is hoped that this study reveals a better understanding of the complex interconnected systems that help create and transform food safety policies and the science that supports and/or transforms them.

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.

The thesis analyzes consumer protection on the market of genetically modified products in the Czech Republic and the European Union. Development of the world legislation in the sphere of genetically modified products and its current situation in the EU and the Czech Republic are specified in the thesis. Consumer protection in the sphere of GMO is evaluated on the example of member states of the European Union -- the Czech Republic, France and Spain -- as well as in the states with a high level of share of genetically modified products in the food production -- the United States of America and Brazil. Practical part of the thesis is focused on the evaluation of knowledge level of inexpert public relating to the topic of genetically modified organisms and products. The conclusion of the thesis mentions the weak points of the current consumer protection on the market of genetically modified products in the Czech Republic and European Union together with suggestions for improving the present situation.

In this study, two diverse scientific areas of research, namely, biological-chemical and public administration, were drawn upon to find an answer for improved risk governance of genetically modified organisms (GMO/GM) and pesticides. The need for such a study appeared from the constraints experienced with regulatory approval of GMO crops in South Africa. The knowledge gained from research on risk governance of GMOs could also be applied to pesticides. Protracted procedures causing delays in approval and increasingly stringent regulatory requirements of GMOs resulted in negative implications for research, development and commercialisation. Approval of several South African co-developed GMOs has been delayed or rejected that resulted in withdrawal or reducing of research activities, apart from appeals against decisions. The objective of the study was to identify some of the reasons for delays as experienced in risk assessments and to propose remedial actions, including the critical interface between role players in risk governance. The approach taken in this research was to obtain, by means of a questionnaire, a broad view of risk governances of GMOs as measured with criteria of good governance experienced by scientists of biotechnology and related disciplines. This was followed by another questionnaire with focus on one specific area that caused delays for GMO permit applicants. The investigation included analysis of South African legislation, guidelines and interviews. The research on risk assessment narrowed down to the two areas, illustrated by South African applicable case studies, namely, food risk/safety assessment of GMO cassava and environmental risk assessment of GMO sorghum. Approaches to improve assessments are being recommended. Uncertainty in risk assessment is an important reality because of humankind‘s limited knowledge of nature. Uncertainty is further addressed by precautious management, described as the precautionary principle is a norm legislated by the South African government in line with international agreements (the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety). The terminology, precautionary approach and principle are used interchangeably in literature. The application of the precautionary principle in South African legislation and the difficulty that could be experienced in decision making are illustrated in the case study on ‗possible unintended changes in endogenous allergens‘ in GMO maize. The research showed the importance of timely risk communication between risk assessors, risk managers (decision makers) and stakeholders in advance of the commencement of risk assessment. The importance of timely consideration of socio-economic impact of GMOs and pesticides is touched on. Risk governance structures, for both GMOs and pesticides are proposed, based on the most democratic and transparent governance models taking into consideration the European initiatives for improved risk governance. This included an interface for interaction among role players, namely, risk assessors, risk managers, scientists and stakeholders. The up-front role of an array of scientists, as the most trustworthy communicators in contentious scientific issues, is of specific importance because of the fast developing and very broad field of genetic modification of many crops. South Africa‘s national research institutes should play a much bigger role as scientific advisors in scientific risk policy making and framing for risk assessments. It is of great importance that risk assessments are focused on risks and not on the gathering of bucketsful of data; therefore, training in approaches to assessment of risk should be a priority. To achieve improvement on risk governance, the importance of policy development and the roles of all participants should be clear. Proposals for future research cover the many aspects that comprise trust in governance and the increased awareness of consumers and stakeholders of environmental risks and food safety. This study also paves a way for research on governance of phytopesticides and phytomedicines because of growing interest in these rich sources of new information that could be of great benefit to mankind. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / gm2014 / Paraclinical Sciences / Unrestricted

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