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As society begins to recognize its impact on ecological systems, the belief that modern political institutions can offer a sense of control and certainty, as well as protect the health of its citizens, is increasingly questioned. In an era of uncertainty, faith in science and technology to alleviate industrial impacts on the environment is often embraced by policymakers yet questioned by the public who see the authoritative role of the sciences in the political sphere as contributing to global risk. The development of biotechnology, specifically genetically modified food, places an anthropocentric focus on resolving and/or adapting to environmental degradation, further reflecting an adherence to the dominant social paradigm to address the consequences of modernization. In order to explicate the dualism of human/nature relations inherent in biotechnology, the focus of this research provides an exploration into two competing paradigms of genetically modified organism (GMO) regulatory policy: scientific rationality and social rationality. Through a careful examination of the evolution of GMO regulation in the United States and the European Union, the precarious relationships between science and politics and progress and precaution reveal an actual convergence instead of divergence between these two actors in the international system. Although existing literature proclaims a division between the values and ethics of U.S. and EU environmental policy, the end result of this comparison in GMO regulation illustrates that in both the risk assessment and precautionary approaches, nature is still viewed as an instrument for advancing enclosure of the commons.

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<p dir="ltr">This research is about the innovative method for the control of the one of the fungal disease, Fusarium head blight, in wheat.</p><p dir="ltr"><i>Fusarium graminearum</i> is a devastating fungus that causes Fusarium head blight (FHB) disease in cereal crops, including wheat, rice, barley, and oats, as well as ear rot and stalk rot in maize. Currently, application of synthetic agrochemical fungicides remains the major mitigation strategy for FHB disease control. However, fungicide treatment carries risks to human health and the environment. Spray-induced gene silencing (SIGS) is suggested as an effective, sustainable, and environmentally friendly alternative for the control of fungal diseases. SIGS uses double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) to induce RNAi against eukaryotic pathogens and pest’s genes. Unlike fungicides, dsRNA can be engineered and carefully designed to target specific fungal pathogens, essentially limiting off-target effects and reducing harm to non-target organisms, including beneficial species.</p><p dir="ltr">In this study, we investigated the <i>in vitro</i> and <i>in vivo</i> effects of dsRNA application on growth and pathogenicity of <i>Fusarium graminearum</i> (<i>Fg</i>). We designed dsRNA against eight fungal genes <i>FgMGV1</i>, <i>FgRAS1</i>, <i>FgCOT1</i>, <i>FgPp2A</i>, <i>FgCAK1</i>, <i>FgTRI5</i>, <i>FgGMK1</i>, and <i>FgYCK1</i>, which have been previously reported to have a functional role in fungal growth and pathogenicity. I postulated that silencing the transcript expression of these selected fungal genes will lead to an attenuation of <i>F</i>. <i>graminearum</i> growth, development and virulence. For lab-scale <i>in vivo</i> dsRNA production, we first designed dsRNAs for each of the fungal genes using the pssRNAit webserver. These gene fragments were subsequently cloned into the L4440 plasmid and transformed into the RNAase III-deficient <i>E</i>. <i>coli</i> strain <i>HT115</i>(DE3). Induction of dsRNA production was mediated by the addition of Isopropyl-β-D-thiogalactoside (IPTG). Graphene Quantum Dots (GQDs) were used as nanocarrier, which were synthesized by pyrolyzing citric acid coupled with surface functionalization by using branched polyethyleneimine (bPEI).</p><p dir="ltr">The performance of ds<i>TRI5</i>, ds<i>MGV1</i>, ds<i>YCK1</i> and ds<i>COT1</i> in reducing fungal biomass in SNA medium was better than dsRNA of other genes, as evidence by lowering fungal biomass by almost half, while ds<i>CAK1</i> and ds<i>GMK1</i> being the least effective in controlling biomass. The inhibitory effect of dsRNA on fungal growth in plate was also investigated. The mycelial growth of <i>F. graminearum</i> on plates was highly inhibited with distinct inhibition zones when plate media was made by mixing the dsRNAs. When wheat spikes of two varieties i.e., ‘AL105’ and ‘Gilat’ were point inoculated with <i>F</i>. <i>graminearum</i>, and after three days sprayed with dsRNAs, the percent symptomatic spikelets (PSS) significantly reduced to 20-25% in both varieties while non-treated control spikes showed 100% symptomatic spikelets. We also evaluated the effect of dsRNA on lowering the accumulation of mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON) post-infection followed by the analysis of transcript abundance for two genes <i>FgRAS1</i> and <i>FgPP2A</i> after the application of dsRNA in the liquid culture.</p><p dir="ltr">In summary, we have provided the first example of utilizing graphene quantum dots, for the delivery of dsRNA in SIGS applications in wheat against <i>Fusarium graminearum</i>. In addition, exogenously applied dsRNA degrades naturally, leaving no harmful chemical residues on plants, soil, or water bodies, making it safer for human consumption and the environment. Further optimization of delivery systems for improving the uptake of pathogens efficiency should be done before commercial use of RNA-based disease management in fields.</p>

The present study analyzes the economic impact of the introduction of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) in Uruguay's agriculture. Using a partial equilibrium framework the impacts of transgenic varieties are simulated for two crops, rice and potatoes, in small open and closed economies respectively. The model accounts for the presence of market imperfections created by the monopolistic behavior of the genes' patent owner. The change in economic surplus generated after the adoption of the new technology is projected to be positive, although the seed markup charged by the monopolist reduces the surplus compared to a perfectly competitive market. Total deadweight losses and domestic losses are found to increase with the seed premium, as additional monopolist profits are extracted out of the country. Adoption decreases with the seed premium, further reducing the domestic consumer and producer surplus. The results of the study suggest an active role for national technology policies and for the agricultural R&D system in Uruguay to generate conditions that attract the technology's owner to a small market while at the same time reducing the potential losses that monopoly power creates . / Master of Science

Boston University. University Professors Program Senior theses. / PLEASE NOTE: Boston University Libraries did not receive an Authorization To Manage form for this thesis. It is therefore not openly accessible, though it may be available by request. If you are the author or principal advisor of this work and would like to request open access for it, please contact us at open-help@bu.edu. Thank you. / 2999-01-01

Using a critical discourse analysis (CDA), this thesis examines how risks and food security, in relation to Genetically Modified (GM) foods, are constructed within the media context. The project analyzes news articles that appeared in two Canadian newspapers, The Globe and Mail and The Toronto Star, and two British newspapers, The London Times and the Guardian, during three particular time periods between 1997 and 2005. I evaluate whether or not the selected articles contribute to the public’s understanding of science, and how journalism constructs risk and uncertainty. I also evaluate the use of expert knowledge by journalists. Using the theory of Risk Society, as proposed by sociologist Ulrich Beck, the project explores the connections between political, social, and economic issues connected to globalization. This thesis concludes that journalism in both Canada and Britain does not appear to adequately inform their citizens on matters of food security and the risks of GMOs.

Legal Regulation of the Use of Genetically Modified Organisms ABSTRACT The use of genetically modified organisms on a global scale is on the rise which requires their efficient and consistent regulation. The main goal of the thesis is to provide a comprehensive overview of the legal regulation of genetically modified organisms and their use on several levels. After an introduction to the topic, the thesis deals with the key international documents and then moves on to examining different approaches on the topic and exploring regulation in the United States and in the European Union with a connection the legislation in Czech Republic. In addition, four annexes are included at the end of the thesis for a better illustration of the current use of genetically modified organisms in the world.

The 18 September 2000 disclosure that StarLink corn, a genetically engineered variety not approved for human consumption, had been detected in food was a seminal event in agricultural biotechnology. This thesis presents a comprehensive case study of the StarLink incident (part one), reviews the StarLink situation in terms of crisis management theory (part two) and develops crisis management theory using the StarLink incident as an example of a crisis (part three). Part one provides background information, then a meticulous day-by-day account of StarLink-related events. Part two presents a detailed overview of crisis management theory, then examines the StarLink situation in terms of pre-crisis (warning signals, preconditions for a crisis, crisis trigger), crisis (how Aventis, the biotechnology provider, managed the crisis and opinions concerning crisis handling) and post-crisis (lessons learned). Part three develops crisis management theory using the StarLink situation as an example of a crisis. It evaluates whether the StarLink incident possessed characteristics predicted for modern crises and suggests other factors which may become more prevalent and significant in future crises. The StarLink incident delivers certain practical lessons for managers, regulators and others and demonstrates a number of characteristics of modern crises.

Using a critical discourse analysis (CDA), this thesis examines how risks and food security, in relation to Genetically Modified (GM) foods, are constructed within the media context. The project analyzes news articles that appeared in two Canadian newspapers, The Globe and Mail and The Toronto Star, and two British newspapers, The London Times and the Guardian, during three particular time periods between 1997 and 2005. I evaluate whether or not the selected articles contribute to the public’s understanding of science, and how journalism constructs risk and uncertainty. I also evaluate the use of expert knowledge by journalists. Using the theory of Risk Society, as proposed by sociologist Ulrich Beck, the project explores the connections between political, social, and economic issues connected to globalization. This thesis concludes that journalism in both Canada and Britain does not appear to adequately inform their citizens on matters of food security and the risks of GMOs.