What is Food Biotechnology?

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What is Food Biotechnology?

• Food biotechnology is the evolution of
  traditional agricultural techniques such as
  crossbreeding and fermentation.
• It is an extension of the type of food
  development that has provided nectarines,
  tangerines and similar advancements.

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Technically Speaking...

• Food biotechnology employs the tools of modern
  genetics to enhance beneficial traits of plants,
  animals and microorganisms for food production.
  It involves adding or extracting select genes to
  achieve desired traits.

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The musical stylings of Dr. Karl Winters
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There must be more to it than that, Doc
translation
transcription

• DNA makes RNA makes PROTEIN
• Must be a protein already in existence
• A Selectable Marker is required to identify the
  clone.
• The selectable marker is usually antibiotic
  resistance, which does not make YOU antibiotic
  resistant.

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And how do they do that?
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Other types of biotechnology

• Clonal propagation
• Random mutagenisis and selection (directed
  evolution)
• Metabolic redirection
• Use of xenophiles

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Food Biotechnology Applications

• Biotechnology methods are currently used to
  improve many foods.
• Food biotechnology has had a profound positive
  impact on farming and food security.
• At least twelve industrialized and four
  developing countries currently use some form of
  food biotechnology.

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Consumer Benefits ofFood Biotechnology
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Have YOU personally benefited from food
biotechnology?
Show of hands
From Medical Biotechnology?
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Have YOU personally benefited from food
biotechnology?
Show of hands
Have YOU personally eaten a biotech food?
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Have YOU personally benefited from food
biotechnology?
Show of hands
Have YOU personally eaten a biotech food?
Chyomsin (rennet)
BST
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The Colbert Report

• Many people get their information from (fake)
  news.

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• Taste and Quality
• Delayed ripening allows fruits and vegetables to
  remain fresh longer
• Flavorsavar.
• Increased solids give foods superior taste
• and less water to remove for sauces.

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• Nutrition
• Some oils are lower in saturated fat and higher
  in oleic acid, making them more stable for frying
  without further processing.
• Some foods have lower levels of saturated fat.

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J. Amer. Dietetic Assoc.,2006106285-293
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• Health
• Some foods have enhanced nutritional profiles.
• Biotechnology allows for the production of foods
  to help protect against diseases.
• Enhanced foods will soon offer higher levels of
  antioxidant vitamins to reduce risk of cancer.
  Now being commercialized at Rutgers! (black tea
  extract).

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How Nutrients Regulate Genes
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• WellGen, Inc.
• is the first biotechnology company using
  nutrigenomics to discover and develop proprietary
  products that treat and prevent disease
• Nutrigenomics addresses
• the role of diet in gene expression

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Consumers Support Food Biotechnology

• Nearly two-thirds believe food biotechnology will
  benefit their family in the next five years.
• More than half would choose products modified to
  taste better or fresher.
• Two-thirds would likely buy produce protected
  against insect damage.
• Source Wirthlin Worldwide, October 1999

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Environmental Impact of Agricultural
Biotechnology

• Healthier plants result in higher yields.
• Insect-protected crops reduce the need for
  insecticides.
• Biotechnology helps protect water (less pesticide
  run off, less erosion.)

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Economic Impact of Agricultural Biotechnology

• Food biotechnology results in higher plant
  yields, increasing farmers efficiency.
• Farmer production costs are reduced.
• Debilitating plant diseases and insect pests are
  often preventable.

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Combating Hunger

• Food biotechnology allows more food to be
  produced on less land.
• Economic benefits will allow food biotechnology
  to contribute to combating global hunger.

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Combating Hunger

• Food biotechnology allows more food to be
  produced on less land.
• Economic benefits will allow food biotechnology
  to contribute to combating global hunger.

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Food Biotechnology Is Safe
FDA USDA AMA IFT FAO/WHO ADA

• Food biotechnology is one of the most extensively
  reviewed agricultural advancements to date.
• Studies to date have shown no evidence of any
  harmful effects.

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What is the FDAs approval procedure ?

• Regulate the product, not the process.
• Regulate the ingredient, not its method of
  manufacture.
• Substances that are not GRAS or exempt will be
  regulated as additives.
• Encourages informal consultation.

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FDAs basic paradigm

• Is the gene coming from the donor well
  characterized?
• Is the vector (plasmid) well characterized?
• Is the recipient of the gene well characterized?

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Potential Problems with GE Foods

• Antibiotic resistance (significance needs to be
  determined)
• Introduction of new proteins into foods (FDA
  seeks comments)
• Plants used to make nonfood substances.
• Special concerns with animal feeds.
• ---------------------
• Unintended pleotropic effects
• Increases of known toxins, decreases in nutrients
• Activation of dormant pathways, allergens

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U.S. Labeling Policy for Food Biotechnology

• FDA safety standards are consistent for all
  foods.
• Must label the presence of common allergens not
  normally found in certain foods
• Must demonstrate scientifically that allergens
  are not present in modified food.
• If nutritional content or composition has been
  changed, product must be labeled accordingly.

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Consumers Support Labeling Policy

• More than two-thirds of consumers support the FDA
  labeling policy
• Source Wirthlin Worldwide, October 1999

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What Does the Future Hold?

• Food biotechnology has the
• potential to
• Reduce levels of natural toxins in plants
• Provide simpler and faster ways to locate
  pathogens, toxins and contaminants
• Keep products fresher longer
• Identify ways to eliminate allergens from many
  foods
• Increase food supply to support growing world
  population and decreasing agricultural space.

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So whats the bottom line, Doc?

• It depends on the use.
• It depends on the market.
• It depends on how you vote.