Critical Thinking about Biotechnology:
Genetically Modified Crops

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What is biotechnology?

Biotechnology can be a confusing term; but let's take it apart:

Bio means biology, the science of
living things

Technology means the tools and processes used to make products.

Together, it means using biology to make new products, including food products

Biotechnology is not a new science - it has been used safely in medical and pharmaceutical products for years. One of the best examples is human insulin for the treatment of diabetes. Scientists were able to produce a bacterium that contained the gene for insulin. Before the development of biotechnology, most insulin was taken from the pancreas of animals.

There are examples of biotechnology used for food production as well. Traditional production methods such as grafting plants, breeding animals for desirable traits and using enzymes to make cheese and yeast to make bread rise are all examples of biotechnology that we use everyday. Tools of modern biotechnology make it possible to move genetic material between species that would otherwise never breed. This has lead to the development of crops that can tolerate herbicides and insects, and to the improvement of the quality of food for processing.

Modern biotechnology makes changes, or modifications to the genetic material of living things. But what do we mean by the term `genetic modification' (GM)? In general terms, GM means any change in the heritable traits of an organism. In today's society, the term is more often used to describe one particular tool called `genetic engineering' - which allows scientists to move genes, the hereditary units of living things, from one species to another. Genetic engineering is a very precise technology compared with traditional breeding. Genetic engineering of plants results in transgenic plants - plants that combine genes from different species.

To view an animated presentation on how transgenic plants are made, go to: http://www.agwest.sk.ca/sabic_index_tp.shtml

Want to learn about other tools of biotechnology? Check out the Biotechnology Science Centre at: www.strategis.ic.gc.ca/

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What is canola?

Canola is the combination of two words - Canadian and oil. Canola oil is produced by crushing seeds from Canada's major oilseed crop - canola. Canadian plant breeders developed canola from rapeseed. This was done using traditional plant breeding methods specifically to enhance nutritional qualities.

Canola is the most commonly grown oilseed crop in Canada. It is grown mostly in western Canada. Canola plants grow up to 2 meters tall and produce groups of yellow, four-petalled flowers. The flowers produce small green pods about 5 cm long. As the plant ripens, the pods turn brown. When harvested, each pod is cracked open to yield about 20 tiny, round, black or brownish-yellow seeds. Each canola seed is approximately 40 percent oil. The seeds are crushed to obtain canola oil for human consumption and the remainder is processed into canola meal that is used as a high protein livestock feed.

Canola oil is used mainly as a cooking or salad oil, or processed into margarine. Canola oil is also used in the manufacture of many other products such as inks and cosmetics. Canola meal is used as feed for livestock, poultry and pets. Scientists are also developing industrial uses for canola oil as possible machinery and biodiesel fuel.

Want to learn more about how canola is grown?
Check out the Canola Council of Canada at: www.canola-council.org

Curious about the wide range of products that canola can be used for?
Go to the Canola Information Service at: www.canolainfo.org

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Canola and Biotechnology - What's the story?

Producers in Canada can choose to grow a number of different types or varieties of canola. Argentine canola (Brassica napus) or long season types are the most commonly grown. Shorter season Polish types (Brassica rapa) are grown on about 5 per cent of the acreage in western Canada.

B. napus types include conventional canola varieties, as well as novel trait herbicide-tolerant varieties. Genetically modified (GM) canola types include Roundup Ready, Liberty Link and Bromoxynil-tolerant canola varieties. These varieties are called GM because genes that result in tolerance to a specific herbicide were transferred from bacteria into the plant material. The herbicide-tolerant gene was found in bacteria commonly found in the soil.

How are GM crops made?

All living things are made up of cells, the smallest units of life. At the centre of each cell is the nucleus. Inside the nucleus of a cell are long, thread-like structures called chromosomes. Chromosomes are made up of a tightly packed chemical called deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA).

The structure of DNA is similar to a ladder - each `rung' is made up of two linked molecules called nucleotides. There are only four nucleotides and they are common in all living things - microorganisms, plants, animals and humans. The DNA ladder is organized into sections called genes. Each gene contains the instructions for building one specific protein.

Genetic engineering takes advantage of the fact that DNA has the ability to copy itself. First, the DNA splits down the middle, leaving each nucleotide of the pair available to form new rungs with other nucleotides. Since the nucleotides are the same in all living things, scientists can add genes from other species when the DNA is replicating, and the nucleotides will be included in the new DNA molecule.

The unique proteins that are produced from the transferred gene can be `fingerprinted' to determine if plant material has been genetically modified. Canola oil is produced from a GM plant. During processing of canola oil, all protein is removed. Therefore, there are no testing methods for identifying canola oil for genetic modification. DNA, or protein, remains in canola meal after crushing. By testing the meal, canola can be identified as having come from GM varieties.

Want to know more about how scientists are using biotechnology with canola? Check out: www.pbi-ibp.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/en/pbi.htm
and go to the `Brassica' research group

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Ask a farmer about biotechnology

Farmers are in a unique position to talk about biotechnology because they are among the first to use genetically modified (GM) plants. There are over 30 plants with GM traits have been approved for use by humans in Canada - including corn, canola, potatoes, cottonseed, soybeans, wheat and flax. These traits involve changes to a specific protein that result in the plant being resistant to a herbicide - a product applied to the crop to control a particular weed, or insect.

To find out why making a plant resistant to a herbicide or insect is important for food production, we need to look at the role herbicides and insects play in modern agriculture.

Managing pests like weeds and insects is a reality of crop production. One tool used by farmers is called Integrated Pest Management (IPM). IPM is a sustainable approach to managing pests that combines biological, genetic, physical and chemical tools in a way that minimizes economic, health and environmental risks. GM crops are a part of IPM programs because they provide another tool for farmers to use to grow crops.

Farmers have experienced both the advantages and drawbacks of GM plants. Let's meet a few canola farmers from Manitoba and Saskatchewan as they share their ideas and experiences with GM canola.

Ernie Sirski, Dauphin, Manitoba
In 1975, Ernie Sirski took over the family farm in the Dauphin area of Manitoba. Since then there has been no looking back. Ernie's mom and dad first began farming in the Dauphin area in 1948, when his family moved from Swan Plain, Saskatchewan. Ernie helped transform the 40 hectare (99 acres) family farm into a profitable operation with more than 640 hectares (1580 acres) in production. This is a lot of land since the average size of a farm in Manitoba is 320 hectares. (791 acres). Some of the crops grown on the farm include winter cereals, canola, oats and barley.

Ernie has three daughters - 14, 17 and 19 years of age - who help out during harvest. The two eldest daughters drive the grain trucks and the swather to get the crops harvested as quickly and efficiently as possible. When asked if he's encouraged his daughters to take over the family farm, he says that he supports them in all they do, but wants them to learn and explore beyond the farm.

One of the most significant changes on the farm since Ernie took over is the change to seeding his crop without tilling the soil. Referred to as no-till, the biggest benefits are improved soil structure, decreased fuel costs and less time spent driving the tractor GM canola helped with the transition to no-till because Ernie does not have to rely on soil-incorporated herbicides to control troublesome weeds.

Geoff Young, Carman, Manitoba
What Geoff Young enjoys most about farming is living in the country and managing his own business. Geoff is a third generation farmer. From its beginning as a 240 hectare (593 acres) farm, the operation has grown to over 1200 hectares (2965 acres) of crops. Geoff's dad and grandfather still play a major role in the operation. Geoff's dad is responsible for servicing the farm equipment, while Geoff concentrates on the fieldwork. Geoff says the biggest improvement to the way they grow food since he began farming is that every aspect of the business is more streamlined. For example, although farm machinery is now larger, it is more efficient at farming more hectares.

Kelvin Meadows, Moose Jaw, Saskatchean
Kelvin and Shelley Meadows bought their farm in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan seven years ago. They came into the business with very little but have built a successful operation on 810 hectares (2000 acres) of land. Kelvin is a select seed grower and therefore has small plot production. They have a seed plant where their seed is processed for export and they clean canola and other crops to be sold locally. Kelvin has also moved into other farm ventures such as vegetable production, bees for crop pollination and agritourism to teach others about food production.

Kelvin and Shelley have two children _ their daughter Kristin is eleven and their son Shae is nine. Kelvin says that wherever possible, the children are involved in the farm to teach them that although farming is a lot of work, it can also be fun. Kelvin and Shelley also involve their children in their business decisions and often take them to meetings and conferences so that they can expand their knowledge of food production. Although Kelvin would like to see his children farm in the future, he says that, "We are giving them the option, but they can choose any career path they feel they would enjoy."

When Kelvin and Shelley bought their farm, one of their first and most significant changes was to phase-out cultivating and to implement a `no-till' system in order to reduce fuel costs and the time spent on the tractor, as well as to decrease soil compaction and erosion. They bought an air-drill to direct seed their crops. The use of genetically modified (GM) canola has resulted in improved yield and reduced pesticide use.

Zenneth Faye, Foam Lake, Saskatchewan
Zenneth and his wife Cindy moved to the family farm in Foam Lake, Saskatchewan in 1979. Zenneth received his Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Engineering and worked for John Deere Canada Limited in the mid-1970's. Cindy continued her career as a teacher. They now farm 1214 hectares (3000 acres) of land and have a mixed commercial herd of beef cattle. They also grow canola, wheat, barley, flax, oats, pulses, a mixture of alfalfa and grasses for their livestock.

Zenneth and Cindy have two daughters - Brittany who is 12, and Ambrely who is 16. Although both girls are involved in school and extracurricular activities, they also enjoy working on the farm because of their love for the land and animals. Ambrely drives the tractor and at harvest time, operates the grain trucks as needed. When asked if Zenneth encourages his daughters to farm, he answers, "I encourage them to do what they love doing but first and most important is that they have an education. If they continue to enjoy raising livestock and agriculture after getting an education, I would be pleased if they decided to farm."

One significant change within Zenneth's farming operation included seeding directly into the standing stubble of the previous crop without disturbing the soil excessively, while maintaining a good yield. Zenneth added peas and alfalfa to his crop rotation to deliver nitrogen to the soil, thereby reducing the amount of fertilizer needed to grow his crop, and to improve the soil by restoring nutrients.

What are other Canadian farmers saying about biotechnology and canola?

To learn more about how Canadian canola growers view biotechnology and canola, check out the “Canola Producers Perspective on Biotechnology” at: www.canola-council.org - Select `Grower Organizations' and then Manitoba Canola Growers Association or Saskatchewan Canola Development Commission. You can download a copy of the `Producers Perspective' and see the range of issues that canola growers must consider when they decide to grow a GM canola crop.

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What are other people saying about biotechnology?

Canadians are asking questions about new technologies used to produce their food, including biotechnology. For some, this science seems to offer the promise of a safe, sustainable and affordable food supply. For others, what science can, and should do, is confusing and even troubling.

The arguments for and against the use of biotechnology for food production and processing are powerful, and sometimes contradictory. Here are some perspectives from different groups:

Canola Council of Canada (2003)
"Biotechnology is creating a new era in agriculture and in the pharmaceutical, forestry and fishery industries. Food biotechnology holds significant promise to consumers. Benefits now and in the future include foods with enhanced nutritional qualities, improved methods of monitoring food safety and extended shelf life for fruits and vegetables."
www.canola-council.org

Canadian Federation of Agriculture (2003)
"CFA is concerned that a mandatory labeling standard for GM foods will cause unnecessary hardship for Canadian farmers, while it will do little to improve CanadiansÅf confidence in CanadaÅfs regulatory system."
www.cfa-fca.ca

Canadian Organic Growers (2003)
"GE plants, seeds, pollen, microbes and DNA threaten the natural complexity on which organic agriculture and the food system is based"
www.cog.ca

Council of Canadians (2003)
"This science brings promises of cure for hunger with the advent of genetically engineered (GE) foods new sources of energy and fiber to create a "renewable" society, miraculous drugs and gene therapy which would produce healthier babies, eliminate human suffering and extend human life."
www.canadians.org

You can find out more about what groups and organizations are saying about biotechnology in Canada on our biotechnology page.

For an overview of the issues, challenges and potential of food biotechnology, please visit the sites listed above or check out the biotech Web site glossary we have developed.

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