The Union of Concerned Scientists released a pilot study which has found innovative DNA genetically contaminating traditional seeds of three major US crops. Contamination seeds, if left unchecked, could disrupt agricultural trade, unfairly burden the organic industry, and allow hazardous materials into the food chain.
This study shatters the presumption that at least a portion of the seed supply for traditional varieties of crops for that - is truly free of genetically modified elements," said Dr. . Margaret Mellon, director of the Food and Environment Program at UCS and an author of the new study, Gone to Seed: Transgenic Contaminants in the supply of traditional seeds. "The supply of traditional seeds is a treasure that agriculture must be preserved. The government should immediately follow up this study to determine the extent of contamination and take the necessary steps to protect this treasure.
The pilot study of the UCS is the first to systematically examine whether genetic engineering (GE) crop varieties now widely adopted in the United States have contaminated the supply of seed crop varieties presumed not to contain elements of GE. The seeds tested in the pilot study were for traditional varieties of corn, soybean, canola, and who have no history of genetic engineering. The tests were conducted for UCS by two commercial laboratories employing sensitive techniques capable of detecting specific DNA sequences.
The degree of concern to attach to seed contamination depends on many factors, including the nature of the genes that are contaminating the seed supply and the levels at which they occur. Who is awaiting additional information and more comprehensive test recommended by UCS in its report. However, the study published today suggests that the contamination is pervasive, especially in a laboratory where canola found six of the six traditional varieties tested contaminated with GE elements.
Most of the specific DNA sequences of the test in the study are found in popular GE varieties currently on the American market. But there is no reason to believe that engineered DNA sequences detected in the study are the only ones moving into the traditional seed supply.
"Until we know otherwise, it is prudent to assume that engineered sequences originating in any crop, whether it was approved and planted commercially or just field tested, could contaminate seed supply, "said Dr. Jane Rissler, a plant pathologist At the UCS and the report's co-author. "Among the potential contaminants are genes from crops engineered to produce drugs, plastics, and vaccines."
Graves risks to human health could result if genes from the pharmaceutical industry and contaminate the seed crops for food crops at a significant level. "Because producers and processors would not be aware of the contamination, inadvertently, they sell them for food use, a former door to the food supply that must be closed," said Mellon.
The equipment needed to detect such genes in molecular tests are not publicly available, therefore, it was not possible for UCS to test the seeds for sequences of so-called "pharm crops." However, the report urges prompt action to protect seed production From these sources of contamination.
In addition, the seed contamination, it is more difficult for American exporters to assure Japan, South Korea, the European Union and other export customers that shipments grain and oilseed do not contain unapproved GE crop varieties and to provide products free of engineered sequences. Contamination seeds also an unfair burden on organic food production, increasingly important sector of American agriculture. Organic farmers depend on traditional varieties to meet organic standards and consumer demand. The contamination of traditional seeds hampers their ability to find the GE-free seed they need.
The UCS study is too small to provide a reliable estimate of the levels of contamination of the seed supply through. However, the data obtained in this study suggests a range of 0.05 to almost 1% in the seeds tested. Calculated as part of Gone to Seed illustrate that even a level as low as 0.1% could translate into hundreds of tons of corn and soybean seeds inadvertently contaminated planted on farms in the United States, or l 'equivalent of more than 55000 bags of 50 pounds of seed.
"We must confront the reality of seed contamination now," said Rissler. "Not only should we worry about genes approved varieties but we must be concerned about hundreds of other genes that have been field tested but whose identities are not known to the public, in many cases . Heedlessly allowing the contamination of the seed supply to continue May cause problems which can not be easily resolved."
While not completely reversible, with sufficient political will, it is possible to look forward to sources of seeds that are substantially free of genetic engineering sequences, "Mellon said. "The government must act now."
UCS recommends eight steps to address seed contamination, including one funded by the government, full-scale investigation into the extent and causes of the contamination of seeds. The United States Department of Agriculture should also establish a reservoir of seed for major food and feed crops.
The new report can be found here. Formed in 1969 at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, UCS is a partnership nonprofit scientists and citizens combining rigorous scientific analysis, innovative policy development and effective citizen advocacy to achieve environmental solutions. UCS advocates evaluation of the risks and benefits and alternatives to the application of agricultural biotechnology.
More info in http://www.ucsusa.org/
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