Some say genetic engineering (genetic modification, GM) is needed to end
world hunger.
However, here are success stories of new, very useful, food crops produced
WITHOUT genetic engineering. Some use MAS--marker assisted selection--a
high-tech version of conventional selective breeding.
Tom
GM WATCH daily
http://www.gmwatch.org
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GM WATCH COMMENT: Here's another non-GM success story - wheat with boosted
levels of protein, iron and zinc - produced with genetic knowledge but without
transgenics.
While much hyped GM crops like Golden Rice are still years away from going
into farmers' fields, this biofortified wheat joins a growing list of non-GM
successes, SOME OF WHICH ARE ALREADY BEING TRIED OUT BY FARMERS:
Dream (non-GM) rice to curb malnutrition
http://www.gmwatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=7078
Natural 'golden millet' rivals 'golden rice'
http://www.gmwatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=7182
Vitamin A Fortified Potato to Combat Blindness
http://www.gmwatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=7248
Non-GM maize boosts vitamin A
http://www.gmwatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=7079
EXTRACT: The UC Davis team is already making such varieties, not by genetic
engineering but through crossing domesticated wheat plants with wild
relatives. The key is a technology called Marker Assisted Selection (MAS).
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Wheat's lost gene helps nutrition
BBC NEWS, 24 November 2006
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/6179912.stm
Wild wheat contains a more functional variety of the key gene
Turning on a gene found in wheat could boost levels of protein, iron and
zinc, scientists have discovered.
The gene occurs naturally in wheat, but has largely been silenced during the
evolution of domestic varieties.
Researchers found evidence that turning it back on could raise levels of the
nutrients in wheat grains.
Writing in the journal Science, they suggest that new varieties with a fully
functioning gene can be created through cross-breeding with wild wheat.
"Wheat is one of the world's major crops, providing approximately one-fifth
of all calories consumed by humans," said project leader Professor Jorge
Dubcovsky from the University of California at Davis.
"Therefore, even small increases in wheat's nutritional value may help
decrease deficiencies in protein and key micronutrients."
'Spectacular' results
The researchers identified a gene called GPC-B1, GPC standing for Grain
Protein Content.
It is found in both wild and domesticated varieties of wheat, but in subtly
different forms, indicating that it has been changed by the long history of
domestication.
Working with a variety of wheat called Bobwhite, a staple crop whose grains
are commonly used in bread, scientists "turned down" GPC-B1 activity even
further using RNA interference.
RNA interference is a recently-discovered technique which blocks the
expression of genes.
"The results were spectacular," said Professor Dubcovsky.
"The grains from the genetically modified plants matured several weeks later
than the control plants and showed 30% less grain protein, zinc and iron,
without differences in grain size.
"This experiment confirmed that this single gene was responsible for all
these changes."
The researchers deduced that the reverse process - enhancing GPC-B1 activity
- ought to produce plants which have higher levels of these nutrients in
their grains and mature faster.
The UC Davis team is already making such varieties, not by genetic
engineering but through crossing domesticated wheat plants with wild relatives.
The key is a technology called Marker Assisted Selection (MAS). This allows
scientists to select which plants to cross using genetic information, rather
than simply choosing them by their attributes, as farmers have done
throughout the history of agriculture.
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