Primer on Bioproducts - BIOCAP Canada

Some Benefits ofGenetically ModifiedOrganisms (GMOs)• The first commercial drug wasdeveloped from this technologyin 1982 and the first commercialcrops were harvested in 1996.• Major scientific review panels(e.g., American MedicalAssociation, French Academy ofScience, British MedicalAssociation and Royal Societyof Canada) have found noevidence of harm to humansfrom current geneticallymodified crops. Each crop genecombination, however, must beevaluated on its own risks.• Genetically engineered cropscan significantly reducepesticide use and protectinsect diversity.• Genetically engineered cropscan encourage no-till farming,which results in much greaterformation of organic matter(i.e., a carbon sink).• Genetically engineered crops,by increasing yields on primeagriculture lands, can reducethe need to grow crops onmarginal land.• Genetically engineeredorganisms are regulated byHealth Canada and theCanadian Food InspectionAgency.Source:Dr. G. Surgeoner, OntarioAgri-Foods Technologies, personalcommunication.On the other hand, the development of bioproducts thatencourage improved conservation and efficient technologiescould be an important step towards sustainable development. Itmay be possible to develop bioproducts that enable industry touse both waste and renewable biomass instead of non-renewablefossil fuels, thus reducing the overall environmental “footprint” ofeconomic activity.The Use of Genetically Modified OrganismsGenetically modified organisms (GMOs) present both anopportunity and a challenge for bioproducts. While geneticengineering technology is only one tool used in the developmentof bioproducts, it has become a flashpoint of public concern. Itwas, for example, identified as a key issue by respondentsinterviewed for a 2002 Pollution Probe report, Towards a BiobasedEconomy (www.pollutionprobe.org/Publications/Biobased.htm).Several industrial bioproducts and processes require changing thegenetic blueprint of living things, such as transferring DNAbetween organisms. Genetic engineering is used to isolate andenhance the performance of micro-organisms and their catalyzingenzymes or to increase the production capacity and othercharacteristics of trees and crops.Concerns about genetic engineering are influenced by theprocesses involved and by the ultimate use and fate of thegenetically modified organisms. For instance, questionsconcerning the transfer of genetic material between organismsmay be different from those raised by the manipulation of geneswithin a single species. Also, different issues arise for geneticallymodified organisms that are isolated from nature (e.g., enzymesused in contained laboratories and industrial environments) thanfor those planted in fields and forests. For example, one majorenvironment group, the Sierra Club, takes no position withrespect to genetic engineering done in labs or during industrial50CHAPTER 6 — UNDERSTANDING THE ISSUES