理性认识转基因植物食品的安全性

讨论现代生物技术的几个基本概念 ,如转基因生物、基因修饰生物、重组DNA植物以及对转基因植物食品安全性评价框架 ,阐明作者对转基因植物食品安全性的理解。     

Not just about “the science”: science education and attitudes to genetically modified foods among women in Australia

Previous studies investigating attitudes to genetically modified (GM) foods suggest a correlation between negative attitudes and low levels of science education, both of which are associated with women. In a qualitative focus group study of Australian women with diverse levels of education, we found attitudes to GM foods were part of a complex process of making “good” food decisions, which included other factors such as locally produced, fresh/natural, healthy and nutritious, and convenient. Women involved in GM crop development and those with health science training differed in how they used evidence to categorize GM foods. Our findings contribute to a deeper understanding of how GM food, and the role of science and technology in food production and consumption more broadly, is understood and discussed amongst diverse “publics” and across different “sciences,” and to research related to deepening public engagement at the intersection of science and values.     

转基因食品安全性研究进展

转基因食品的安全性在世界范围内备受关注,近年来,已经成为公众争论的焦点。本文简要综述了转基因食品的现状和安全性,并介绍了我国政府对转基因食品的态度。此外,还对转基因食品的发展前景作了简要展望。     

Biotechnology products and European consumers

More than 100 interviews conducted during 1997 with European food manufacturers and retailers, trade associations, government departments, consumer groups, environmental organizations and some individual academic scientists revealed how differences in the perceived attitudes of consumers gave rise to varying approaches by suppliers to the possible introduction of transgenic foods. European consumers generally are not against the pharmaceutical products of biotechnology but are much less willing to accept food and food ingredients, especially when derived from genetically modified plants. Objections are mainly based on fears for the health and safety of the consumer, worries about the possibility of deleterious effects on the environment, and a range of moral and ethical concerns often deriving from a distaste, however expressed, at the concept of interfering with nature. Consumer understanding of the science underlying biotechnology is patchy; in no country does more than a small proportion of the population claim a good grasp. Partly no doubt as a consequence of these attitudes, the introduction of genetically modified foods into Europe has occurred slowly and, during the period of this study, perhaps only in the Netherlands and the UK.     

Assessment of the food safety issues related to genetically modified foods

International consensus has been reached on the principles regarding evaluation of the food safety of genetically modified plants. The concept of substantial equivalence has been developed as part of a safety evaluation framework, based on the idea that existing foods can serve as a basis for comparing the properties of genetically modified foods with the appropriate counterpart. Application of the concept is not a safety assessment per se, but helps to identify similarities and differences between the existing food and the new product, which are then subject to further toxicological investigation. Substantial equivalence is a starting point in the safety evaluation, rather than an endpoint of the assessment. Consensus on practical application of the principle should be further elaborated. Experiences with the safety testing of newly inserted proteins and of whole genetically modified foods are reviewed, and limitations of current test methodologies are discussed. The development and validation of new profiling methods such as DNA microarray technology, proteomics, and metabolomics for the identification and characterization of unintended effects, which may occur as a result of the genetic modification, is recommended. The assessment of the allergenicity of newly inserted proteins and of marker genes is discussed. An issue that will gain importance in the near future is that of post-marketing surveillance of the foods derived from genetically modified crops. It is concluded, among others that, that application of the principle of substantial equivalence has proven adequate, and that no alternative adequate safety assessment strategies are available.     

Detection of genetically modified organisms in foods

Legislation enacted worldwide to regulate the presence of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in crops, foods and ingredients, necessitated the development of reliable and sensitive methods for GMO detection. In this article, protein- and DNA-based methods employing western blots, enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay, lateral flow strips, Southern blots, qualitative-, quantitative-, real-time- and limiting dilution-PCR methods, are discussed. Where information on modified gene sequences is not available, new approaches, such as near-infrared spectrometry, might tackle the problem of detection of non-approved genetically modified (GM) foods. The efficiency of screening, identification and confirmation strategies should be examined with respect to false-positive rates, disappearance of marker genes, increased use of specific regulator sequences and the increasing number of GM foods.     

Safety Assessment of Genetically Modified Foods

The development of novel foods produced through agricultural biotechnology is a complex three-stage process: gene discovery, line selection, and product advancement to commercialization. The safety of genetically modified foods is an integral part of the overall developmental process throughout all of the stages. In the discovery stage, the safety of the gene, its source, and the gene products must be considered. If any questions arise at this stage, these questions must be answered later in the developmental process. During the line selection stage, the genetically modified seed progresses through a variety of greenhouse and field trials. At this stage, the biological and agronomic equivalence of the genetically modified crop to its traditional counterpart must be compared. While the evaluations made during this stage are not specifically directed toward a safety assessment, many potential products with unusual characteristics are eliminated during this stage of development. However, the elimination of products with unusual agronomic or biological characteristics enhances the likelihood that a safe product will be generated. Finally, in the pre-commercialization stage, the genetically modified product undergoes a detailed safety assessment process. This process focuses on the safety of the gene products associated with the introduced gene and any other likely toxicological or anti-nutrient factors associated with the source of the novel gene and the crop to which it was introduced. The safety of the genetically modified product for both food and feed uses is considered. Thus far, all of the genetically modified products brought into the marketplace have been subjected to such an intensive safety assessment. The safety assessment data have been reviewed by regulatory authorities around the world. The current generation of genetically modified products are quite safe for human and feed animal consumption.     

Management strategies for agricultural biotechnology in small countries. A case study of Israel

Agricultural biotechnology is concentrated in four major countries. This paper suggests strategies for developing it in small countries, based on analysis of the world trends and the characteristics of small countries. Israel is presented as a specific case study. The main relevant trends are domination by big companies, consumer concerns on genetically modified foods, and focusing on consumer benefits and specific market niches. Small countries' disadvantages include companies that are too small to benefit fully from research, difficulty in raising funds, lack of infrastructures and experienced management personnel, and public sector research organizations that are unsuitable for commercializing research. The recommended strategies include: developing a large number of low-volume products and small market niches, forming partnerships with intermediaries (such as food companies), specializing in intermediate products (such as the seed or the gene patent), and conducting market research and cost-benefit analysis in advance. Additional strategies include developing benefits that are unique to genetically modified foods and focusing on benefits specifically for consumers who accept genetically modified foods, rather than on benefits for the average consumer. A national representative organization could buy and rent out expensive equipment, finance specific projects in return for the commercial rights, and perform collective marketing research and marketing. Israel has the advantages of a successful agricultural sector and complementary scientific research, and should focus on those fruits, vegetables, and flowers for which it already has the experience and infrastructure.     

推进我国转基因玉米产业化的思考

首先分析了全球转基因玉米产业化情况,进而从国内转基因玉米产品消费现状、玉米生产中的技术需求以及我国转基因玉米研发现状等方面论述了我国推进转基因玉米产业化的必要性,并从科学上和管理上分析了推动转基因玉米产业化亟待解决的问题,对转基因研发人和安全管理工作提出了建议,以促进转基因玉米产业化的进程。     

Public acceptance and stakeholder views of gene edited foods: a global overview

The increasing popularity of gene editing in plants has prompted research on stakeholder views. Gene edited foods are often more accepted than genetically modified foods, though differences occur within target groups, regions, and products. Nevertheless, marketing challenges related to a lack of familiarity with the technology, labeling, and risk perception remain.     

Examining the Gap between Science and Public Opinion about Genetically Modified Food and Global Warming

There is great uncertainty due to challenges of escalating population growth and climate change. Public perception that diverges from the scientific community may decrease the effectiveness of scientific inquiry and innovation as tools to solve these challenges. The objective of this study was to identify the factors associated with the divergence of public opinion from scientific consensus regarding the safety of genetically modified (GM) foods and human involvement in global warming (GW). Results indicate that the effects of knowledge on public opinion are complex and non-uniform across types of knowledge (i.e., perceived and actual) or issues. Political affiliation affects agreement with science; Democrats were more likely to agree that GM food is safe and human actions cause GW. Respondents who had relatively higher cognitive function or held illusionary correlations about GM food or GW were more likely to have an opinion that differed from the scientific community.     

Metabonomics study of transgenic Bacillus thuringiensis rice (T2A-1) meal in a 90-day dietary toxicity study in rats

Rice is one of the most important staple foods in the world. The Cry2A gene was inserted into the rice genome to help the plant combat insects. As the unintended effects of the genetically modified (GM) organisms are the most important barriers to the promotion of GM organisms, we have carried out a useful exploration to establish a new in vivo evaluation model for genetically modified foods by metabonomics methods. In this study, the rats were fed for 90 days with the GM and NON-GM rice diets. The changes in metabolites of the urine were detected using (1)H-NMR. The metabonomics were analyzed to see whether the GM rice can induce the metabolite changes in the rats' urine when compared with the NON-GM rice group. The multivariate analysis and ANOVA were used to determine the differences and the significance of differences respectively, and eventually we concluded that these differences did not have a biological significance. The conclusion of the metabonomics was comparable with that from the traditional method. As a non-invasive and dynamic monitoring method, metabonomics will be a new way of assessing the food safety of GM foods.     

Immunoglobulin E mediated food allergy.Modelling and application of diagnostic and predictive tests for existing and novel foods

It is known that some foods cause an allergenic response in certain individuals. Clinical and immunological tests are available for the diagnosis of food allergy and identification of food allergens. However, there are no valid tests for the prediction of the allergenic potential of foods not normally recognized as allergenic. Such foods include: food products developed from foods which may not be recognizable as allergenic in their modified forms; foods produced using novel processes (novel foods), for example genetically modified foods; and foods not normally consumed but that are being used increasingly as alternatives to more traditional foods. Both the risks associated with food allergy and the fact that foods such as the ones described above will become available to the consumer, highlight the need for methods to screen for potential food allergens. This review provides a general overview of food allergy including mechanism, development and prevalence, but focuses on and discusses: 1) the possible risks (with specific reference to food allergy) associated with new and novel foods; and 2) the development/use of food allergy models (in vivo and in vitro) to assess the allergenic potential of new and novel foods.     

GM frenzy: a lesson in communication

Hysteria rather than rationality has characterised the debate over genetically modified foods, which erupted in Britain in 1998 and has since spread to other countries. This episode holds wider lessons for biologists, politicians and all concerned with the prudent assessment and application of novel technology.     

Application of triplex PCR for identification of genetically modified organism in foods

A multiplex method for detection of genetically modified organism (GMO) in various foods has been developed based on PCR-identification of cauliflower mosaic virus (CMV) 35S-promoter. It allows avoiding false positive signals due to contamination of plant raw material with CMV.     

实时荧光定量PCR技术在转基因食品检测领域中的应用

随着基因工程技术在农业生产中应用的深入,越来越多具有改良特征的转基因植物在全球范围内得到广泛种植,随之而来的转基因食品也迅猛发展,转基因产品大规模商业化引起了对安全性问题的担忧。为保证转基因产品标签制度的顺利实施,建立快速、准确、高通量的定量检测方法十分必要。我们综述了国内外转基因食品检测技术的研究进展,重点阐述了实时荧光定量PCR技术在转基因食品检测领域中的应用,并展望了通过构建质粒标准分子的方法来实现对更多转基因植物品系的定量检测。     

Methods of identification and assessment of safety of genetically modified microorganisms in manufacture food production

Methods of identification of genetically modified microorganisms (GMM), used in manufacture food on control probes are presented. Results of microbiological and molecular and genetic analyses of food products and their components important in microbiological and genetic expert examination of GMM in foods are considered. Examination of biosafety of GMM are indicated.     

玉米转基因技术专利权人合作态势分析

转基因玉米是最重要的转基因主粮作物之一,其转基因技术具有一定的代表性。为了更好地了解和掌握玉米转基因技术领域研发主体合作情况,文章构建了基于专利权人合作网络的目标技术领域专利权人合作态势分析框架,并基于社会网络分析方法与技术,以世界范围内的转基因玉米领域的重要专利权人为分析对象,构建合作网络、分析整体合作特征、挖掘合作子网、探测领域内重要专利权人,从而从宏观、中观和微观三个层面客观展现玉米转基因技术领域专利权人合作态势,为科技战略规划提供一定的决策支撑。     

基因工程技术在食品工业中的研究进展

综述基因工程技术在改善食品原料品质、改良食品工业用菌种和食品加工性能、生产酶制剂和保健食品方面的应用,同时对转基因食品及其安全性问题进行了总结归纳,最后对基因工程技术在食品中的发展前景进行展望。