POSITION STATEMENT ON CROP GENETIC
ENGINEERING
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Background statement: Several advances in technology
during the past half century made it possible to develop
transgenic crop plants, also known as GM (genetically modified)
or genetically engineered crops. The commercialization of
these crops has been met with intense opposition from a
few sectors of society. Scientific facts are often lost
amidst the ensuing rhetoric and emotional debates. Given
that the SIVB is honored to have one the largest groups
of crop geneticists and biotechnologists in the world among
its membership, the SIVB wishes to acknowledge the following
statements:
1. The vast majority of the crops used worldwide are the
product of genetic modification and selection, both intentional
and unintentional, which has taken place over the centuries.
The result of this selection is that most cultivated plants
have been altered to such and extent that they are distinctly
different from their wild counterparts, to the point that
they would not be recognized as even being the same species
by the average person. Thus, grains, vegetables, fruits,
and flowers that sustain people and enhance the quality
of life today have modifications which humans found valuable,
and therefore selected for, in providing food and pleasure
for their families and communities.
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2. Genetic engineering extends the plant breeding techniques
used during the past century. Genetic engineering differs in two
ways from previous techniques which emphasized selection of randomly
induced rare genetic variants. First, using methods in molecular
biology, more targeted genetic changes are possible, which makes
the identification and selection of variants more efficient. Secondly,
it is now possible to transfer into crops DNA derived from essentially
any organism, incorporate this DNA into the genome of the crop
and regulate the synthesis of RNA and proteins from genes encoded
on the new DNA sequence.
3. The first generation of genetically engineered crops has provided
several environmental benefits, by decreasing the use of insecticides
and promoting the shift toward more environmentally friendly herbicides,
and by increasing the productivity of land already in agriculture.
Though genetically engineered crops have been grown over millions
of acres, no claim of an adverse effect on humans or the environment
have held up to close scrutiny.
4. Additional research on genetic engineering is leading to the
development of transgenic crops that have the potential to result
in produce that is more nutritious and better tasting, crops able
to resist a variety of biotic and abiotic stresses, and crops
able to produce pharmaceuticals, biofuels, biodegradable plastics,
and edible vaccines. Overall, these will contribute toward the
stability and quality of the world's food supply, as well as a
significant improvement in quality of life for people around the
world.
5. Every commercial product of genetic engineering needs to be
evaluated based on its unique merits and any potential risks to
the consumer or to the environment. Historically, there has always
been significant public debate concerning the introduction and
applications of new technologies. Public policy and decisions
concerning new technologies need to be well-grounded on the scientific
facts concerning the benefits and risks of any new technology.
The United States has an established regulatory system to evaluate
risks associated with new agricultural and pharmaceutical products.
Safety evaluation is conducted by the United States Food and Drug
Administration (FDA), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA-APHIS),
and, in some cases, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Under the auspices of these agencies, all crop and animal products
that result from biotechnology are demonstrated to be safe as
non-engineered versions of that plant or animal product, prior
to their use by the public. This is an effective principle for
guiding their regulation to safeguard human and environmental
health and safety.
6. The SIVB supports the current science-based approach for the
evaluation and regulation of genetically engineered crops. The
SIVB supports the need for easy public access to available information
on the safety of genetically modified crop products. In addition,
the SIVB feels that foods from genetically modified crops, which
are determined to be substantially equivalent to those made from
crops, do not require mandatory labeling. Current FDA food labeling
practices require labeling if a food has a known human health
issue, and allows for voluntary labeling of ingredients as long
as the label is truthful and not misleading.
The position statement on crop genetic engineering
was prepared by the SIVB ad hoc Committee on GMO Policy, and presented
for consideration by the SIVB membership. For additional information
or comments on the statement, contact: Dr. Wayne Parrott, Chair,
GMO Policy Committee, at wparrott@arches.uga.edu.
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