Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Genetic modified food'

The National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard (PL 114-216) will require nearly all foods sold in the U.S. to bear a statement disclosing whether they contain genetically modified (GM) material. Past studies suggest the presence of such a statement could have profound effects on consumers; however, research comparing consumer response towards different GM-disclosure statements is scarce. PL 114-216 states that GM foods shall not be considered more or less safe than their non-bioengineered counterparts, nevertheless it would benefit regulators and food manufacturers to be aware of the possible effects such disclosures might have on consumers. In a nationwide survey, multiple disclosure statements with varying degrees of public familiarity were compared to evaluate consumer perceptions and attitudes associated with each statement. Average consumer knowledge level of GM processes was also measured. The statements were then paired with actual food items to determine whether specific product categories influenced consumer responses. A select few of these statements and foods were included in a taste panel, allowing researchers to analyze if disclosure statements affected a consumer's sensorial experience. Results suggested that consumers were most favorable towards statements indicating the absence of GM-material, however they also responded less negatively towards new disclosure statements that do not have negative connotations. Additionally, consumers may react differently depending on the food accompanying a particular disclosure, although the taste panel data found no evidence that statements affected actual eating experience. Importantly, data from both surveys and taste panel suggested a disclosure statement may affect consumer willingness to buy a product.

Vermont is the first and only state in the US to establish mandatory labels for food containing genetically modified organisms (GMOs). This thesis investigates the impact of the mandatory labeling law as it relates to changes in prices, quantities sold, and opinions of GMOs. First, grocery store scanner data from Vermont and Oregon are compared using triple difference (difference-in-difference-in-difference) models. Next, Vermont, Oregon, and Colorado survey response data are compared using difference-in-difference models. The findings reveal that there is a general price premium for non-GMO goods of $0.05/oz across all states and times, that mandatory labeling laws do not result in a short-term change in quantities sold or prices of GMO products, and that both mandatory labeling laws and failed mandatory labeling referendums cause an increase in support for GMOs in the food supply. The implications of this research are that mandatory GMO labels did not impact short-term prices or sales and increased the level of support for GMOs.

Orientador: Laymert Garcia dos Santos
Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Filosofia e Ciências Humanas
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Resumo: A aplicação comercial da tecnologia de transgenia agrícola a partir do final do século XX e a disseminação de seu uso no início do século XXI implicam não somente a rápida e radical transformação do setor agrícola mundial, agora tecnologizado em todas as esferas do processo produtivo, mas sobretudo transformações radicais no significado da sementes e da vida, com impactos econômicos, sociais e ambientais ainda em aberto. A utilização da tecnologia de transgenia no mundo é entendida como um vetor estratégico de dominação, promoção de conflitos políticos e sociais, bem como de ruptura de referenciais de várias ordens na sociedade moderna. A tese analisa os processos de inserção comercial de sementes transgênicas nas sociedades brasileira e argentina a partir de 1990 (principalmente a partir dos Governos Fernando Henrique Cardoso e Carlos Menem). Como elementos fundamentais dessa análise, faz-se referência à construção da transgenia agrícola como um problema de ordem socioambiental no Brasil através da discussão sobre os seguintes elementos: a articulação da sociedade civil organizada brasileira e as consequências de sua mobilização, a construção da política nacional de biossegurança e a estrutura de pesquisa em biotecnologia no país. No caso Argentino, discute-se a expansão do modelo sojeiro, a estrutura de decisão técnica e política sobre biotecnologia e segurança, a dificuldade na construção de diálogo entre a sociedade civil organizada argentina e os âmbitos de decisões tecno-políticas governamentais. Demonstra-se que a tecnologia produz diferentes padrões de ações nas sociedades em que é incorporada comercialmente. Esses padrões de ações são reflexo de parecidos, porém distintos, contextos políticos, econômicos e sociais, em que a mobilização e contestação social merecem destaque
Abstract: The commercial use of transgenic seeds in agriculture since the end of the 20th century and its disseminated use in the beginning of the 21st century lead not only to radical changes in the world's agriculture sector, now technologized in all spheres of the productive process, but also to radical changes into the concepts of seeds and life, with economic, social and environmental impacts that remain open. The use of transgenics in the world is comprehended as a strategic element of a domination process, as a trigger of social and political conflicts, so as an element of rupture of many references. The thesis analyses the commercial introduction of transgenics seeds in the Brazilian and Argentinean societies since 1990 (especially after Fernando Henrique Cardoso and Carlos Menem were elected). As fundamental elements of this analysis, reference is made to the construction of transgenics as a socioenvironmental problem in Brazil through the following aspects: the organizational model of the Brazilian civil society and the consequences of its mobilization, the construction of the national policy on biosafety, and the development of biotechnology research. In regard to Argentina, the thesis touches upon the expansion of the soy model, the technical and political decision making process regarding biotechnology and biosafety, the intricacies of the participation and political dialogue among the Argentinean organized civil society and the technical and political decision making agencies and processes. The thesis illustrates that the technology produces different patterns of action on the societies it is commercially incorporated. These patterns reveal similar but diverse political, economical and social contexts, wherein the social resistanceand mobilization are issues are emphasized
Doutorado
Aspectos Sociais de Sustentabilidade e Conservação
Doutor em Ambiente e Sociedade

This thesis addresses the puzzle of variation in first-generation regulatory policies for controversial science and technology, as demonstrated in the cases of agricultural genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and human embryonic stem cell research in the United Kingdom and the United States. Why did policy outcomes vary in each technology case? This study answers this question by placing greater emphasis on institutional factors. Although works within institutional analysis, bureaucracy and regulation literatures make significant progress in revealing how existing institutions can shape outcomes, how far one can characterize bureaucratic behavior and whether interest groups capture regulation, they nevertheless create an opening for research that: describes a mechanism for path dependence to explain variation in policies; shows the degree to which bureaucratic behaviors can influence outcomes; and, highlights instances in which regulatory officials hold power. This thesis makes an original contribution by providing new historical details relating to these cases, and by providing an extensive elaboration of Pierson’s criteria for increasing returns and a so-called secondary test of path dependence to explain outcomes. The study recounts the biography of key policy documents in each case by tracing the process of decision-making through government and archival sources, secondary literature and more than 40 elite interviews. In doing so, it details the activities of key governmental bodies within the European Union, UK and US. Moreover, it shows how the Coordinated Framework (1986) and Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 framework represented decision-making structures which triggered changes in actors and interests and shaped permissive outcomes for GMOs and stem cell research in the US and UK, respectively. Furthermore, lack of comparable structures may help account for restrictive policies for GMOs in Europe and the UK, and for stem cell research in the US.

With the introduction of antibiotics in animal feed becoming less popular, the agricultural industry has begun a shift towards the use of probiotics in animal feed. Since there is no current method to evaluate the risks of using genetically modified probiotics in animal feed. The goal of this project was to create a genetically modified model organism for risk assessment. The genetic marker for that was chosen was GFP that was to be expressed on the surface of the cell. The fluorescent properties allow for visualisation of the genetically modified bacteria and the surface expression would allow for the easy capture and recovery of the bacteria for culturing and cell counts. Genome wide screens were performed using the CW PRED algorithm to locate proteins with LPXTG motif for cell wall anchoring. 16 hypothetical proteins were detected and 6 were selected as candidates for possible surface display of GFP. Of these candidates, the novel L. casei protein LSEI_2320 was found to be expressed at the mRNA during early growth by RT PCR and at then protein level during stationary phase with western blot. This LPXTG protein was found at the surface of L. casei ATCC334 during stationary phase and late stationary phase with immunofluorescence microscopy. A genetically modified L. casei ATCC334 was constructed using the surface protein LSEI_2320 locus as a region for recombination with the pRV300 suicide plasmid. Genetic modification of the locus by the insertion of a GFP reporter region just before the predicted signal peptide site resulted in the abrogation of the expression of LSEI_2320 from the cell surface at the late stationary phase. It appears that this particular gene is not necessary to cell survival even though it is abundantly expressed on the cell surface and can be used as a location for genetic modification in L. casei ATCC334.

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A presente dissertação tem o objetivo de discutir o problema da responsabilização dos fornecedores de alimentos quimicamente manipulados e geneticamente modificados por riscos e danos causados à saúde e à vida do consumidor, nos casos de risco de desenvolvimento, pois não há disposição legislativa no CDC brasileiro que regule, de forma clara, essa questão. Utilizar-se-á, como referencial teórico para este trabalho, a teoria da sociedade de risco de Ulrich Beck, a qual possibilitará demonstrar, na atualidade, o contexto de risco em que se encontra a produção no setor alimentício. E, a partir de estudos sobre Biodireito e Bioética, buscar-se-á uma base argumentativa que apresente possibilidades para que o sistema jurídico atue garantindo a proteção da saúde e da vida humana. Após essas considerações, percebe-se que, diante da fragilidade e da vulnerabilidade da vida, não é possível a exclusão da responsabilidade civil para os fornecedores de alimentos com base no risco de desenvolvimento.
The present dissertation has the main point the discussion the genetic modified and chemistry manipulated food supplier accountability by risks and damages to health and life of the consumer in development risk cases, because the Brazilian Consumers Law hasn’t clear provisions about these question. Using how theoretical reference, for this work, the risk society theory of Ulrich Beck, that shows the risk contest that finds the production in the food industry. Since this studies about Biolaw and Bioethic, will search argumentations that present possibilities so that juridical systems act to the protection of the human health and life. After these consideration, will realize that, beyond a fragility and the vulnerability of life, it’s not possible the civil accountability exclusion to the food suppliers, based in the development risk

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With the biotechnology advancement and development, with special focus on genetic engineering, also rises the requirement of ethical fundamentals in a scenario of constant modifications. When it comes to transgenic food, there‟s controversy in the philosophical, ethical, environmental, political, legal and economic field because it‟s a subject which is inside of the daily reality, with very fast changes and in that context, the Brazilian and international legislation seems to doesn‟t follow the technology velocity and Science becomes a political and economical instrument. In this article, international law and national law related to the using of genetically modified organism are analyzed, pointing out the 11.105/05 law, considering the origin, shape and evolution of genetically modified organism, the importance of obeying the environmental law when handling and distributing products resulting of these genetic modifications to the public consumption, this law analysis, going through the environmental impacts, giving importance to the cost-benefit and the risk expressly taken by the scientific community, besides the own concept of consumer, proving the need of genetically modified food labelling and the reality of what really happens in the process of patenting acquisition in the international law and in the Brazilian law and jurisprudence decisions.
Com o avanço e o desenvolvimento da biotecnologia, com enfoque especial na engenharia genética, surge também a necessidade da inserção da ética e de seus princípios em um cenário de modificações constantes. No que tange aos alimentos transgênicos, polêmicas são levantadas no campo filosófico, ético, ambiental, político, social, jurídico e econômico, pois o tema está inserido em uma realidade do nosso dia a dia, com mudanças muito rápidas e diante deste contexto, as legislações brasileiras e internacionais parecem não acompanhar a velocidade da tecnologia e a ciência passa a ser instrumento da política e da economia. No presente trabalho são analisadas leis internacionais, legislações relativas à utilização dos organismos geneticamente modificados, ressaltando-se a Lei 11.105/05, considerando a origem, a forma e a evolução do organismo geneticamente modificado, a importância da obediência às leis de Direito Ambiental no manuseio e distribuição dos produtos oriundos destas modificações genéticas para o consumo da população, a análise desta legislação, passando pelos impactos ambientais, dando ênfase ao custo benefício e ao risco assumido expressamente pela comunidade científica, discorrendo ainda sobre o direito do consumidor, além do próprio conceito de consumidor, demonstrando também a necessidade da rotulagem dos alimentos geneticamente modificados e a forma como acontece o processo para obtenção de patentes tanto na legislação exterior quanto na legislação brasileira e as decisões jurisprudenciais.

Thesis is concentrated on two biotechnologies: biofuels and genetically modified crops. Defines technical and economical characteristics, lists international agreements and czech and european legislation regarding both biotechnologies. Introduces opinions and analyses positions of selected political subjects as UNO, WTO, OECD, EU, catholic church and main czech political parties.

Sociologists have studied how organizations respond to perceived risks, but overlooked how individuals react to perceptions of organizational risks. We may expect individuals to avoid the goods and services of supposedly risky organizations, but how do other social judgments of organizations, such as those concerning reputation, relate to individuals’ risk aversion independently from their perceptions of risk? Social psychological theories on legitimacy and status and psychological theories on risk perception can bridge these gaps. Using data from the 2006 General Social Survey, this paper tests how individuals’ aversion to genetically modified foods (GMOs) relates to their perceptions of organizational risks and other qualities of business leaders, medical researchers, and political officials who are involved with producing, evaluating, and regulating GMOs. Logistic regression models find that individuals’ perceptions of medical researchers’ ignorance and disagreement about GMOs’ possible risks synergistically interact to increase the probability of rejecting GMOs. Individuals’ deferral of political influence to medical researchers attenuated the increased odds of rejecting GMOs among individuals who believe that industry scientists are disreputable. Surprisingly, perceived risks among business and political leaders were unrelated to GMO aversion. These results extend sociological risk research by demonstrating how individuals’ responses to perceived organizational risks are shaped by social characteristics such as reputations. Finally, links are drawn to inform social movement literatures and debates on GMOs, as reputational correlates exist independently from individuals’ knowledge of science, environmentalism, and generalized trust.

Thesis (MPhil)--University of Stellenbosch, 2001.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The aim and function of this paper is to provide a balanced account of how the media, international and South African, have dealt with the issue of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). A selection of interviews, presentations, articles, transcripts and published reports forms the background of this interpretation, and offers insight into the history of the technology, the major role players, the legislation required and implemented, the question of environmental accountability, and the power of the media's influence. It addresses aspects of the causal relationship between the media and public understanding, and the subsequent power of the consumer as manifested by the perception of risk. The central theme of genetic engineering conjures up a variety of meanings and applications, and the plethora of available information is evaluated in an attempt to develop informed understanding for reporters covering the many dimensions of this development within the arena of science and technology.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie verhandeling is om 'n ewewigtige oorsig te verstrek van hoe die media - Suid-Afrikaans sowel as internasionaal - die kwessie van geneties gemodifiseerde organismes gehanteer het. 'n Seleksie onderhoude, aanbiedinge, artikels, transkripsies, en gepubliseerde verslae vorm die basis van hierdie interpretasie, en verskaf 'n insig in die geskiedenis van die tegnologie, die belangrike rolspelers, nodige en géimplementeerde wetgewing, die vraag van omgewingstoerekenbaarheid, en die mag van die media se invloed. Dit spreek aspekte aan van die kousale verwantskap tussen die media en begrip deur die algemene publiek, en die daaropvolgende mag van die verbruiker, soos dit duidelik word in hulle insig in en begrip van die risiko-faktor. Die sentrale tema van genetiese modifisering bring te voorskyn 'n verskeidenheid betekenisse en aanwendings; en 'n oorsig van die massa beskikbare inligting word hier aangebied in 'n poging om aan verslaggewers ingeligte begrip aan te bied van die veelsydige omvang van die ontwikkeling van genetiese modifisering in die gebied van wetenskap en tegnologie.

This study develops a framework for pricing output traits derived from agriculture biotechnology and the effects on competing technologies post-introduction of the genetically modified (GM) variety. The price impact model determines processor or consumer adoption rates and changes in processor, farmer, and tech firm surplus as a result of the release of the new GM variety. Several implications result from this research. First, adoption of the GM variety may not be as high as expected due to the lower cost of using conventional varieties for processing or consumption inputs. Second, both processors who adopt the GM variety and those who continue to use conventional varieties will have an increase in surplus as a result of the introduction of the GM variety. Lower costs of conventional varieties will also result in new entrants into the market.

In recent years, foods produced by genetic engineering technology have been on the world food market. The biosafety aspects, regulations, and labelling of these foods are still contentious issues in most countries. It is necessary to have approval for the use of GMOs in the production of food. Thus, detection and quantification of GMOs play crucial role for developing regulations on GM foods. In this study, raw and processed maize samples were analysed for genetic modification using a DNA based detection method, the Polymerase Chain Reaction. Ten raw food and 18 processed maize food including maize flour, starch, corn flakes, maize chips were collected from different markets located in different places in Turkey. The samples were examined for the presence of genetic elements located in the majority of transgenic crops such as NOS terminator, CaMV 35S promoter, kanamycin resistance (KanR) gene, using conventional PCR with oligonucleotide sets targeting to novel genes. Furthermore screening was conducted via Real-Time PCR assay for NOS terminator and 35S promoter. For confirming the presence of Bt11 maize lines event specific primers were utilised. Quantification of Bt11 maize lines were performed via Real-Time PCR. The result indicates that foreign genetic elements were found in all analysed raw material. In six out of 10 raw material, presence of Bt11 gene were identified. GMO detection was also possible for maize flour and starch, however in processed material as corn starch, corn flakes, corn chips and pop corn, transgenes were not detected.

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2011.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Sugarcane is a crop that is farmed commercially due to the high amounts of sucrose that is stored within the mature internodes of the stem. Numerous studies have been done to understand sugar metabolism in this crop as well as to enhance sucrose yields. Until now sugarcane improvement strategies have been implemented through either breeding programs or transgenic manipulation. Public mistrust and regulatory hurdles, however, have made the commercialisation of transgenic crops difficult, expensive and timeconsuming. In this thesis two projects will address issues relating to the above. The first will address an effort to increase sucrose accumulation within the sugarcane culm. This was attempted via the expression of an Arabidopsis thaliana vacuolar pyrophosphatase (AtV-PPase) gene, linked to the maize ubiquitin promoter, in sugarcane callus. It was anticipated that increased activity of the tonoplast-bound AtV-PPase will result in increased sucrose accumulation in the vacuole. Transgenic sugarcane callus lines were tested for soluble sugar content which suggested no significant increase in sucrose content. However, this may change upon further assessment of sugarcane suspension cultures and glasshouse plants. The second project was concerned with the development of a novel sugarcane transformation technology that utilises only sugarcane sequences. This ‘cisgenic’ approach to sugarcane transformation will require a native sugarcane promoter, terminator, vector backbone and selection marker. It was attempted to first isolate a functional promoter as well as developing a selection system based on an endogenous selection marker. A promoter was amplified from sugarcane, using primers designed on a sorghum template, and its expression assessed using a GFP reporter gene. Unfortunately expression could not be confirmed in transgenic sugarcane callus. Currently, an alternative approach is followed by using short fragments of constitutively expressed genes to screen sugarcane Bacterial Artificial Chromosome (BAC) libraries to isolate their corresponding promoters. Lastly, it was attempted to develop a selection system for transgenic sugarcane based on resistance to the herbicide chlorosulfuron. A mutant acetolactate synthase (alsb) gene from tobacco, which has shown to confer resistance to the tobacco, was transformed into sugarcane callus. It was anticipated that this gene will confer chlorosulfuron resistance to transgenic sugarcane. If resistance is achieved, the corresponding sugarcane gene will be mutated via site-directed mutagenesis and checked if it also confers resistance to sugarcane. Results showed that although transgenic lines were generated, resistance development is still inconclusive.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Suikerriet is ‘n kommersiële gewas wat verbou word as gevolg van die hoë hoeveelhede sukrose wat gestoor word in die volwasse tussenknope van die stam. Verskeie studies is al gedoen om suiker metabolisme in die gewas te ondersoek, sowel as om die sukrose opbrengs te verhoog. Huidige strategieë vir suikerriet verbetering word beywer deur middel van teel-programme of transgeniese manipulasie. Die kommersialiseëring van transgeniese gewasse word egter bemoeilik deur publieke wanpersepsies, sowel as regulatoriese uitdagings. Hierdie tesis beoog om boenoemde kwessies aan te spreek, deur middel van twee projekte. Die eerste projek poog om sukrose akkumulasie in sukerriet te verhoog. Dit was onderneem om die Arabidopsis thaliana vakuolere pirofosfatase (AtV-PPase) geen, wat verbind is met die mielie ubiquitien promoter, uit te druk in suikerriet kallus. Daar was verwag dat die verhoogde aktiwiteit van die tonoplast-gebonde AtV-PPase sal veroorsaak dat meer sukrose in die vakuool akkumuleer. Oplosbare suiker inhoud was getoets in transgeniese suikerriet kallus lyne, maar geen merkbare verhoging in sukrose inhoud was waargeneem nie. Hierdie mag egter verander met verdere ondersoeke in suikerriet suspensie-kulture en glashuis-plante. Die tweede projek het beywer om ‘n nuwe suikerriet transformasie tegnologie te ontwikkel, wat slegs van suikerriet genetiese materiaal gebruik maak. Hierdie ‘cisgeniese’ benadering tot suikerriet transformasie sal ‘n inheemse suikerriet promoter, terminator, vektor ruggraat en seleksie-merker, benodig. Dit was eers beoog om ‘n funksionele promoter te isoleer, sowel as om ‘n seleksie sisteem, gebasseer op ‘n inheemse seleksie merker, te ontwikkel. Deur gebruik te maak van primers wat op ‘n sorghum templaat gebasseer is, was ‘n promotor geisoleer vanuit suikerriet; die uitdrukking hiervan is bepaal deur gebruik te maak van ‘n GFP verklikker geen. Ongelukkig kon uitdrukking nie bevestig word in transgeniese suikerriet kallus nie. Tans word suikerriet Kunsmatige Bakterieële Chromosoom (KBC) biblioteke geskandeer, deur gebruik te maak van geen-fragmente van globaal-uitgedrukte gene, om ooreenstemmende suikerriet promoters te isoleer. Die tweede deel van die cisgeniese projek het beoog om ‘n seleksie sisteem vir transgeniese suikerriet te ontwikkel, wat gebasseer is op weerstand teen die plantdoder chlorosulfuron. Suikerriet kallus was getranformeer met ‘n mutante tabak geen – asektolaktaat sintase (alsb) – wat chlorosulfuron weerstand in tabak meebring. Daar was verwag dat die geen chlorosulfuron weerstand aan transgeniese suikerriet sou oordra. Indien weerstand ontwikkel, sal die ooreenstemende suikerriet geen deur gerigte mutagenese gemuteer word; dan sal dit kan bepaal word of weerstand ook oorgedra word aan suikerriet. Daar is bevind dat alhoewel transgeniese lyne gegenereer is, daar steeds nie ‘n konklusiewe bevestiging van weerstand ontwikkeling is nie.

Genetically modified (GM) foods technology is a novel idea for improving food and crop production, but the supposed health risk of GM foods, such as possible negative long-term health effects to humans, animals and the environment, have provoked the European Union to create assessment protocols to monitor and regulate the safety of GM foods and crops. This research investigates the perception and attitudes of unlabeled GM foods of the WKU faculty and staff. A survey was administered via WKU Qualtrics, and chi-square tests were performed to see how the benefits and disadvantages of GM foods may affect the purchasing decisions of the educated consumer, and to see if the WKU faculty and staff wants GM foods to be labeled or not. The research confirms that the benefits and disadvantages of GM foods do affect the purchasing decisions of the educated consumer. The survey revealed that about 60% of the WKU faculty and staff buys GM foods, and 40% do not buy GM foods, and approximately 92% of the WKU faculty and staff wants GM foods to have proper labeling and information. The research provides information about how the educated consumer of Kentucky may feel about unlabeled GM foods. The research also recommends some trade-off benefits of GM foods, including that approximately 35% of the WKU faculty and staff reported that they would buy GM foods if it helps to lower cholesterol and fight diabetes, and 20% say they would buy GM foods if it is cheaper than other foods. Some of the disadvantages of GM foods are that the pesticide chemicals used in the production methods of GM foods are toxic to humans, animals, and the environment. Approximately 54% of the participants say they would not buy GM foods because they are concerned about how it may affect their long-term health, and about 35% reported that they don’t buy GM foods because of improper labeling and information.

Genetically modified (GM) crops are commercially cultivated worldwide but there are concerns on their possible negative impacts on soil biodiversity. A glasshouse study was conducted to determine effects of Bt maize residues on soil microbial diversity. Residues of Bt maize (PAN 6Q-308B) and non-Bt maize (PAN 6Q-121) were incorporated into the soil and corresponding maize seeds planted. The treatments were replicated three times. Fertilizer and water application were similar for both treatments. Rhizosphere and bulk soil was destructively sampled from each treatment and analyzed for microbial community level physiological profiles using Biolog plates with 31 different carbon substrates. Absorbance in the Biolog plates was recorded after 72 h of incubation at 20oC. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi spore counts were also determined. Field studies were conducted at the University of Free State and University of Fort Hare Research Farms to determine the effects of growing Bt maize on soil microbial diversity. One Bt maize cultivar (PAN6Q-308B) and non-Bt maize (PAN6Q-121) were grown in a paired experiment at University of Free State farm, while two Bt maize (DKC61-25B and PAN6Q-321B) and their near-isogenic non-Bt maize lines (DKC61-24 and PAN6777) were grown in a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Fertilization, weed control and water application, were similar for both Bt maize cultivars and their non-Bt maize counterparts. Rhizosphere soil samples were collected by uprooting whole plants and collecting the soil attached to the roots. The samples were analysed for microbial diversity and for arbuscular mycorrhizae fungal spore counts. Principal component analysis showed that soil microbial diversity was affected more by sampling time whereas genetic modification had minimal effects. Presence of residues also increased the diversity of microorganisms. Mycorrhizal fungal spores were not affected by the presence of Bt maize residues. Growing Bt maize had no effect on the soil microbial diversity in the rhizosphere.

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The most cultivated genetically modified plant in Brazil is the soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] resistant to the systemic herbicide glyphosate. There are 12.3 millions of cultivated hectares. This soybean was obtained through the introduction of the gene that codes for the 5-enolpyruyilshikimic-acid3-phosphate synthase enzyme, (EPSPS, E.C 2.5.1.19, CP4), of the shikimic pathway, resistant to glyphosate that keeps active the aromatic amino acids biosynthetic pathway. To the soybean genetical modification the parameters in law were reviewed and the maximum glyphosate limit permitted in beans that was 0.2 mg/kg was increased to 10 mg/kg to GMRR soybean. Although Brazil is the 3rd biggest worldwide producer, cultivates the GMRR soybean for more than ten years, and represents 50% of the overall production of soybean in Brazil, just a few studies have been conducted in the country to evaluate in biological assays, the impact of this technology on the food quality and safety. Thus, the present work seeks for to evaluate the influence of the genetic modification of the soybean on the nutritional quality, on the possible effects of chronical exposition, as well as the effects on the fertility and the development of Wistar rats and the on the endocrine system. The nutritional quality was evaluated through the protein value, in 30 male rats, just weaned, distributed in five groups, fed along 28 days with the following diets, 10% protein ration GMRR soybean no isogenic, GMRR soybean isogenic, conventional soybean, milk (casein) or for 10 days with a non-protein diet. The weight gain and the food intake of diets did not present statistical relevance. The same behavior was observed in the variables of growth and the nitrogen balance study. In the chronical exposition of 40 male and 39 female rats distributed in four groups that consumed genetically modified soybean no isogenic and isogenic, conventional soybean and the standard group without soybean it signs of systemic toxicity on males have been evident in the neutrophilia, lymphocytopenia in the group conventional soybean compared with the standard group, lymphoid hyperplasia of the lungs in the groups without soybean; the signs of reproductive toxicity through of 8 the increase on relative weight of the tests and epididymis and also through the decrease of the sperm concentration. On the females the effect on the reproductive system became evident through the fertility pregnancy and weaning index. These results point out that the protein quality of the genetically modified soybean is preserved, but there is an association of factors that trigger a probable endocrine disruption. Studies are necessary to elucidate the mechanism of interaction that cause toxicity on males and females fed with conventional soybean and genetically modified soybean that presented detectable glyphosate levels.
A espécie vegetal geneticamente modificada mais cultivada no Brasil é a soja [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] resistente ao herbicida sistêmico pós-emergente glifosato, com 12,3 milhões de hectares cultivados. Essa soja foi obtida pela introdução do gene correspondente à enzima 5-enolpiruvilchiquimato-3-fosfato sintase (EPSPS, E.C 2.5.1.19, CP4), enzima da via de chiquimato, resistente ao glifosato, mantendo ativa a via biossintética de aminoácidos aromáticos. A modificação genética fez com que parâmetros preconizados pela legislação brasileira fossem revistos e o limite máximo permitido de glifosato nos grãos que era de 0,2 mg/kg aumentasse para 10 mg/kg. Embora o Brasil cultive há mais de dez anos a soja resistente ao glifosato e seja o terceiro maior produtor mundial dessa leguminosa, com 50% da produção nacional com genótipos transgênicos, poucos estudos têm sido conduzidos no país com o intuito de avaliar, em ensaios biológicos, o impacto dessa tecnologia sobre o meio ambiente, a qualidade e a segurança do alimento. Sendo assim, o presente trabalho objetivou estudar a influência do consumo de grãos de soja geneticamente modificada resistente ao glifosato (GMRR) isogênica à convencional e não isogênica, tratada com este herbicida, sobre a qualidade nutricional, possíveis efeitos à exposição crônica, bem como efeitos sobre a fertilidade e o desenvolvimento de ratos Wistar e a possibilidade deste, desregular o sistema endócrino. A qualidade nutricional foi avaliada através do valor protéico mediante índices biológicos, em 30 machos recém desmamados, distribuídos em cinco grupos, alimentados por 28 dias com ração contendo 10% de proteína de soja GMRR não isogênica, soja GMRR da isogênica, soja convencional, leite (caseína) ou por 10 dias com ração aproteica. O ganho de massa corporal e o consumo alimentar das dietas não diferiu entre os tratamentos. Esse mesmo comportamento foi observado no que concerne às variáveis de crescimento e índices de balanço nitrogenado. Na exposição crônica de 40 machos e 39 fêmeas distribuídos em 4 grupos que consumiram dietas contendo sojas GMRR (isogênica e não isogênica), soja convencional e grupo padrão sem soja, 6 sinais de toxicidade sistêmica nos machos foram evidenciados na neutrofilia, linfopenia do grupo que consumiu soja convencional em relação ao grupo padrão, e na hiperplasia linfóide dos pulmões nos animais que consumiram soja GMRR e convencional; sinais de toxicidade reprodutiva foram observados através do aumento da massa relativa dos testículos e epidídimos e redução da concentração espermática. Nas fêmeas, os efeitos no sistema reprodutivo foram evidenciados através dos índices de fertilidade, e desmame. Estes resultados indicam que a qualidade protéica da soja modificada geneticamente é preservada, porém há uma associação de fatores que desencadeiam em uma provável desregulação endócrina. Outros estudos são necessários para elucidar o mecanismo de interação que provoca efeitos de toxicidade em machos e fêmeas alimentados com soja convencional e GMRR que apresentam níveis detectáveis de glifosato.

Wong Wai Mei.
Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2001.
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 175-192).
Abstracts in English and Chinese.
Declaration --- p.ii
Acknowledgements --- p.iii
Abstract --- p.iv
Abbreviation --- p.vi
Table of Contents --- p.vii
Chapter Chapter 1 --- Introduction --- p.1
Chapter Section I --- The Making of Genetically Modified Organisms --- p.2
Chapter 1.1 --- Conventional breeding in agriculture --- p.2
Chapter 1.2 --- What is genetic engineering? --- p.4
Chapter 1.3 --- Plant transformation --- p.5
Chapter 1.3.1 --- Agrobacterium-mediated --- p.6
Chapter 1.3.2 --- Direct gene transfer --- p.8
Chapter 1.3.2.1 --- Microparticle bombardment --- p.8
Chapter 1.3.2.2 --- Protoplasts --- p.9
Chapter 1.3.3 --- Gene silencing --- p.10
Chapter 1.4 --- Examples of genetically modified crops --- p.13
Chapter 1.5 --- Foreign genes commonly found in transgenic plants --- p.14
Chapter Section II --- Benefits and Environmental Concern of GMOs --- p.17
Chapter 2.1 --- Mechanism of GMO --- p.17
Chapter 2.1.1 --- Herbicide tolerant crops --- p.18
Chapter 2.1.2 --- Insect resistant crops --- p.19
Chapter 2.1.3 --- Delayed ripening crops --- p.20
Chapter 2.1.4 --- Virus resistant crops --- p.20
Chapter 2.2 --- Benefits of GMOs --- p.21
Chapter 2.3 --- Impact of GM foods to human health and the environment --- p.22
Chapter 2.3.1 --- Human health --- p.22
Chapter 2.3.1.1 --- GM potatoes --- p.23
Chapter 2.3.1.2 --- CaMV risks? --- p.24
Chapter 2.3.1.3 --- Food allergy --- p.25
Chapter 2.3.2 --- Environmental concerns --- p.26
Chapter 2.3.2.1 --- Horizontal gene transfer --- p.27
Chapter 2.3.2.1.1 --- Selectable marker genes --- p.27
Chapter 2.3.2.1.2 --- Herbicide resistant genes --- p.29
Chapter 2.3.2.1.3 --- Insect resistant genes --- p.29
Chapter 2.3.2.2 --- Ecology --- p.30
Chapter 2.3.2.2.1 --- Monarch butterfly --- p.30
Chapter Section III --- Future developments of GMO --- p.32
Chapter 3.1 --- Designer Food and engineered plants --- p.32
Chapter 3.1.1 --- Insect resistance --- p.33
Chapter 3.1.2 --- Viral resistance --- p.33
Chapter 3.1.3 --- Fungal resistance --- p.34
Chapter 3.1.4 --- Nutritional quality --- p.34
Chapter 3.1.5 --- Modifications of oil composition --- p.35
Chapter 3.1.6 --- Medical applications --- p.37
Chapter 3.1.7 --- Environmental applications --- p.40
Chapter 3.1.7.1 --- Tolerance to high salinity and drought --- p.40
Chapter 3.1.7.2 --- Tolerance to frost --- p.41
Chapter 3.1.7.3 --- Bioremediation --- p.42
Chapter 3.1.7.4 --- Biodegradable products --- p.43
Chapter Section IV --- Regulation of GMO --- p.44
Chapter 4.1 --- The question of labeling --- p.44
Chapter 4.1.1 --- Moral and ethical issues --- p.44
Chapter 4.1.2 --- Animal welfare --- p.45
Chapter 4.2 --- International practice in GMO labeling --- p.46
Chapter 4.2.1 --- United States of America --- p.46
Chapter 4.2.2 --- Canada --- p.48
Chapter 4.2.3 --- European Union --- p.49
Chapter 4.2.4 --- Australia and New Zealand --- p.50
Chapter 4.2.5 --- Japan --- p.51
Chapter 4.2.6 --- Republic of Korea --- p.52
Chapter 4.2.7 --- China --- p.53
Chapter 4.2.8 --- Taiwan --- p.53
Chapter 4.2.9 --- Hong Kong --- p.54
Chapter Section V --- Uses of crops --- p.56
Chapter 5.1 --- Uses of crops --- p.56
Chapter 5.1.1 --- Soybean --- p.56
Chapter 5.1.2 --- Corn --- p.57
Chapter 5.1.3 --- Tomato --- p.58
Chapter 5.1.4 --- Potato --- p.59
Chapter 5.1.5 --- Rice --- p.60
Chapter 5.1.6 --- Rapeseed --- p.61
Chapter 5.1.7 --- Oil --- p.62
Chapter 5.2 --- "Food additives, hormones and flavourings" --- p.63
Chapter Chapter 2 --- Materials & Methods --- p.65
Chapter 2.1 --- Materials --- p.66
Chapter 2.1.1 --- Growth media & agar --- p.66
Chapter 2.1.2 --- Reagents for agarose gel electrophoresis --- p.67
Chapter 2.1.3 --- Reagents for preparation of competent cells --- p.67
Chapter 2.1.4 --- Reagents for measurement of DNA concentration --- p.68
Chapter 2.1.4.1 --- Measurement of DNA concentration by PicoGreen --- p.68
Chapter 2.1.5 --- Reagents for Southern hybridization --- p.68
Chapter 2.2 --- Methods --- p.70
Chapter 2.2.1 --- Restriction endonuclease digestion --- p.70
Chapter 2.2.2 --- Agarose gel electrophoresis of DNA --- p.70
Chapter 2.2.3 --- DNA recovery from agarose gel --- p.71
Chapter 2.2.3.1 --- QIAquick® gel extraction --- p.71
Chapter 2.2.4 --- Ligation of purified DNA fragment into vector --- p.72
Chapter 2.2.5 --- Transformation --- p.72
Chapter 2.2.6 --- Rubidium chloride method for making competent cells --- p.12
Chapter 2.2.7 --- Plasmid DNA preparation --- p.73
Chapter 2.2.7.1 --- Concert Rapid Mini Prep --- p.73
Chapter 2.2.7.2 --- QIAprep® Miniprep --- p.74
Chapter 2.2.8 --- Extraction of plant genomic DNA --- p.75
Chapter 2.2.8.1 --- Qiagen DNeasy´ёØ Plant Mini Kit --- p.75
Chapter 2.2.9 --- Southern Hybridization --- p.75
Chapter 2.2.9.1 --- Denaturation --- p.76
Chapter 2.2.9.2 --- Blot transfer --- p.76
Chapter 2.2.9.3 --- Pre-hybridization --- p.77
Chapter 2.2.9.4 --- Synthesis of radiolabelled probe --- p.77
Chapter 2.2.9.5 --- Hybridization of radiolabelled probe on filter --- p.77
Chapter 2.2.9.6. --- Detection of hybridized probes --- p.78
Chapter 2.2.10 --- Measurement of DNA concentration --- p.78
Chapter 2.2.10.1 --- Determination of DNA on EtBr stained gel --- p.78
Chapter 2.2.10.2 --- Determination of DNA by UV spectrophotometer --- p.78
Chapter 2.2.10.3 --- Determination of DNA by PicoGreen --- p.79
Chapter 2.2.11 --- DNA sequencing --- p.80
Chapter 2.2.11.1 --- Automated sequencing by ABI Prism 377 --- p.80
Chapter Chapter 3 --- PCR Diagnostics --- p.81
Chapter 3.1 --- Applications of PCR to processed foods --- p.82
Chapter 3.1.1 --- DNA quality --- p.82
Chapter 3.1.2 --- PCR & Multiplex PCR --- p.83
Chapter 3.1.3 --- Choice of primers --- p.84
Chapter 3.1.4 --- Inhibitors --- p.84
Chapter 3.2 --- Materials & Methods --- p.85
Chapter 3.2.1 --- Selection of primers --- p.85
Chapter 3.2.2 --- Amplification of target sequences --- p.86
Chapter 3.2.3 --- Multiple amplification of target sequences --- p.87
Chapter 3.3 --- Results --- p.88
Chapter 3.4 --- Discussion --- p.93
Chapter Chapter 4 --- Quality Control in GMO detection --- p.95
Chapter 4.1 --- Standardization of pre- and post- PCR analysis --- p.96
Chapter 4.1.1 --- General guidelines --- p.96
Chapter 4.1.2 --- UV irradiation --- p.97
Chapter 4.1.3 --- Inactivation protocols --- p.93
Chapter 4.1.4 --- Positive and negative controls --- p.99
Chapter 4.1.5 --- PCR verification --- p.99
Chapter 4.1.6 --- Equipment decontamination --- p.100
Chapter 4.2 --- Materials & Methods --- p.101
Chapter 4.2.1 --- Selection of primers for external control --- p.101
Chapter 4.2.2 --- Development of the external control --- p.101
Chapter 4.2.3 --- Selection of primers for internal control --- p.103
Chapter 4.3 --- Results --- p.104
Chapter 4.4 --- Discussion --- p.107
Chapter Chapter 5 --- DNA extraction from food samples --- p.110
Chapter 5.1 --- Introduction --- p.111
Chapter 5.2 --- Reagents and Buffers for DNA extraction from food samples --- p.112
Chapter 5.2.1 --- Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) extraction method --- p.112
Chapter 5.2.2 --- Organic-based extraction method --- p.113
Chapter 5.2.3 --- Potassium acetate/sodium dodecyl sulphate precipitation method --- p.113
Chapter 5.2.4 --- Hexane-based extraction method --- p.114
Chapter 5.3 --- Weight and names of samples --- p.115
Chapter 5.4 --- DNA extraction methods --- p.115
Chapter 5.4.1 --- CTAB extraction method --- p.115
Chapter 5.4.2 --- Qiagen DNeasy´ёØ plant mini kit --- p.116
Chapter 5.4.3 --- Promega Wizard® genomic DNA purification --- p.116
Chapter 5.4.4 --- Promega Wizard® Magnetic DNA purification system --- p.117
Chapter 5.4.5 --- Promega Wizard® DNA Clean-Up system --- p.118
Chapter 5.4.6 --- Qiagen QIAshreddrer´ёØ and QIAamp spin column --- p.119
Chapter 5.4.7 --- Chelex-based extraction method --- p.119
Chapter 5.4.8 --- Organic-based extraction method --- p.120
Chapter 5.4.9 --- Nucleon PhytoPure extraction and purification method --- p.120
Chapter 5.4.10 --- Potassium acetate/SDS precipitation method --- p.121
Chapter 5.4.11 --- Hexane-based extraction method --- p.122
Chapter 5.5 --- Results --- p.123
Chapter 5.5.1 --- Comparison of eleven extraction methods --- p.123
Chapter 5.5.2 --- Comparison of DNA extraction on selected methods --- p.125
Chapter 5.6 --- Discussion --- p.132
Chapter Chapter 6 --- Quantitative Analysis --- p.136
Chapter 6.1 --- Introduction --- p.137
Chapter 6.1.1 --- Chemistry of quantitative PCR --- p.138
Chapter 6.1.2 --- PCR system --- p.140
Chapter 6.2 --- Materials & Methods --- p.142
Chapter 6.2.1 --- Design of primers and probes --- p.142
Chapter 6.2.2 --- Methods --- p.145
Chapter 6.3 --- Results --- p.146
Chapter 6.3.1 --- Selection of primer/probe --- p.146
Chapter 6.3.2 --- Primer optimization --- p.149
Chapter 6.3.3 --- Quantitative analysis of real samples --- p.158
Chapter 6.4 --- Discussion --- p.152
Chapter Chapter 7 --- Conclusion --- p.168
References --- p.175
Appendix --- p.193

碩士
中國文化大學
生物科技研究所
91
Genetic modified Food (GMF), is that DNA sequence of an organism has been genetically manipulated to produce a desire product. Due to rapid development in biotechnological research, the variable of GMF engineered from crops is increasing. Comsumers have a right to know what they are buying, therefore, government should implement laws for labeling GMF. Consequently, it becomes important to develop a system for detecting GMF. The objective of the present study was to establish a rapid and reliable detection system on the genetic modified crops. Twenty two DNA fragments were collected from the GM crops, including one promoter, 4 terminators, 8 selection marker genes, 5 transgenic target genes, and 4 plant DNA marker genes (for internal control), followed by cloning into pGEM-T Easy vetor or pT7 blue vector. The constructs were then amplified by PCR and spotted on the DNA microarray chip to detect the GMF. We also used the transgenic plant generated from our laboratory to test the DNA microarray detection system. The results show that the detection system was successful in distinguishing the transgenic tomato, rice, potato and soybean from the corresponding untransformed type. Moreover, as we expect, this system also precisely identified the foreign genes from the processed food, soy milk. In our opinion, this system is a rapid and convenient tool for detecting a massive amount of GMF.

Yang, Fan.
Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2010.
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 111-132).
Abstracts in English and Chinese.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS --- p.iii
ABSTRACT --- p.iv
TABLE OF CONTENTS --- p.viii
LIST OF FIGURES --- p.xii
LIST OF TABLES --- p.xv
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS --- p.xvi
Chapter Chatper 1. --- General Introduction --- p.1
Chapter Chapter 2. --- Literature Review --- p.5
Chapter 2.1 --- Facts on food allergy --- p.5
Chapter 2.1.1 --- Food allergy and its prevalence --- p.5
Chapter 2.1.2 --- Pathogenesis of food allergy --- p.6
Chapter 2.1.3 --- Clineal disorders caused and diagnosis of food allergy --- p.8
Chapter 2.2 --- Allergenicity assessment of genetically engineered food --- p.13
Chapter 2.2.1 --- The structural and sequence homology of proteins as a criterion for food allergenicity assessment --- p.14
Chapter 2.2.2 --- Digestion stability as a criterion for food allergenicity assessment --- p.15
Chapter 2.2.3 --- Animal models for Food Allergenicity Assessment --- p.21
Chapter 2.3 --- The importance of rice and its nutritional facts --- p.27
Chapter 2.3.1 --- The importance of rice --- p.27
Chapter 2.3.2 --- Rice nutritional facts and its relationship with malnutrition --- p.28
Chapter 2.4 --- Food allergenicity research in rice --- p.30
Chapter 2.5 --- Glutelin overexpression transgenic rice GT3 --- p.33
Chapter 2.6 --- Recent and future perspectives for treatment of food allergy --- p.36
Chapter Chapter 3. --- Materials and Methods --- p.39
Chapter 3.1 --- Rice Seed Protein Extraction --- p.39
Chapter 3.1.1 --- Rice varieties for protein extraction --- p.39
Chapter 3.1.2 --- Protein extraction from rice seeds --- p.39
Chapter 3.1.3 --- Fractionation of major rice seed storage proteins --- p.40
Chapter 3.1.4. --- Protein quantification --- p.41
Chapter 3.1.5 --- Tricine SDS-PAGE --- p.42
Chapter 3.2 --- Simulated Gastric Digestibility Assay --- p.43
Chapter 3.2.1 --- Assay System --- p.43
Chapter 3.2.2 --- Preparation of Simulated Gastric Fluid --- p.43
Chapter 3.2.3 --- Assay Procedures --- p.44
Chapter 3.2.4 --- Results Interpretation --- p.44
Chapter 3.3 --- Construction of Mouse Models --- p.45
Chapter 3.3.1 --- Mouse strain and reagents used --- p.45
Chapter 3.3.2 --- Mouse Model I --- p.46
Chapter 3.3.3 --- Mouse Model II --- p.50
Chapter 3.3.4 --- Mouse Model III --- p.51
Chapter 3.4 --- Bioinformatic Analysis of Glutelin Sequence --- p.52
Chapter 3.5 --- Epitope Mapping of Glutelin --- p.55
Chapter 3.5.1 --- Bioinformatic Analysis --- p.55
Chapter 3.5.2 --- Direct and Competitive ELISA --- p.56
Chapter 3.5.3 --- Western Blot Analysis --- p.57
Chapter 3.5.4 --- IgE-binding assay --- p.58
Chapter Chapter 4. --- Results and Discussion --- p.60
Chapter 4.1 --- Rice Seed Protein Extraction --- p.60
Chapter 4.1.1 --- Rice Protein Extraction --- p.60
Chapter 4.1.2 --- Extraction of rice major seed storage protein fractions --- p.62
Chapter 4.2 --- Simulated Gastric Digestibility Assay --- p.64
Chapter 4.2.1 --- Pepsin Digestibility of total protein from GT3 and WT rice seeds --- p.64
Chapter 4.2.2 --- Pepsin Digestibility of major storage protein fractions in GT3 and WT rice --- p.68
Chapter 4.2.3 --- Summary of Pepsin Digestibility Assay --- p.74
Chapter 4.3 --- Mouse Model I --- p.75
Chapter 4.3.1 --- Protein-specific IgE levels --- p.75
Chapter 4.3.2 --- Protein-specific IgG1 and IgG2a levels --- p.77
Chapter 4.3.3 --- Allergic Response Test --- p.79
Chapter 4.3.4 --- Summary from Mouse Model I --- p.81
Chapter 4.4 --- Mouse Model II --- p.83
Chapter 4.4.1 --- Proteins specific IgE levels --- p.84
Chapter 4.4.2 --- Proteins specific IgG1 and IgG2a levels --- p.85
Chapter 4.4.3 --- Allergic Response Test --- p.87
Chapter 4.4.4 --- Summary from Mouse Model II --- p.88
Chapter 4.5 --- Mouse Model III --- p.90
Chapter 4.5.1 --- Protein-specific IgE levels --- p.90
Chapter 4.5.2 --- Proteins specific IgG1 and IgG2a levels --- p.91
Chapter 4.5.3 --- Allergic Response Test --- p.93
Chapter 4.5.4 --- Summary from Mouse Model III --- p.93
Chapter 4.6 --- Potential allergenicity of rice glutelin by bioinformatics and epitope mapping --- p.94
Chapter 4.6.1 --- Bioinformatic analysis --- p.94
Chapter 4.6.2 --- ELISA analysis of synthesized epitopes --- p.97
Chapter 4.6.3 --- Western Blot Analysis --- p.99
Chapter 4.6.4 --- IgE-binding assay --- p.103
Chapter Chapter 5. --- Conclusion and Future Perspectives --- p.109
References --- p.111

Today, Africa has more countries with food security problems than any other region on the globe. Two-thirds of all countries suffering food insecurity are in Africa. Present trends would mean that the number of chronically undernourished people in the Southern region of Africa would rise from 180 to 300 million by the year 2010. In this research, I note that in the face of this food or hunger crisis, particularly in Africa, some have argued that genetic engineering biotechnology promises to combat food insecurity. Opponents of the technology argue that, to the contrary, genetic engineering biotechnology undermines food security, food sovereignty and livelihoods on the continent. The technology is designed to block access to food and kill agricultural biodiversity, vest excessive, monopolistic and exclusive power in the hands of a few biotechnologists and giant multinational corporations, and ultimately, create hunger and poverty in Africa and other developing countries by undermining organic and conventional means of farming. The thesis offers a critical theological assessment of the structural, ecological and socioeconomic effects of genetic engineering and biotechnology on agriculture, food production, food security and sovereignty in Africa against some core theological principles. The study, therefore, brings a careful critique to the growing area of science in its relationship to the current issues of food security and sovereignty. The theological framework provides a moral framework for analysis that can be applied in the debate about genetic engineering and biotechnology. In this thesis, I will consistently demonstrate that opponents of the GE technology think that proponents of r-DNA technology are mostly driven by the intent to generate and maximize profits rather than a concern for the common well being, and the intent to control all the stages of agricultural production. The corporate control over essential agricultural resources such as seeds and food entails that multinational companies have control over fundamental human rights of access to healthy, safe and adequate food, nutrition, and ultimately to social and economic development itself. This, then, becomes an issue of justice and hence the concern of the churches and theologians. In this light, then, the study argues that issues of food security and sovereignty cannot be meaningfully and credibly pursued without taking adequate recognition of moral, ethical and theological insights. Such framework would guide scientific and GE technological activities.
Thesis (M.Th.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2002.

Text in English
South Africa is one of the biggest producers of genetically modified crops in the world. However, recent studies in South Africa show a low public willingness to consume genetically modified crops and accept modern agricultural biotechnology. The study analysed public perception towards consuming genetically modified crops and the acceptance of modern agricultural biotechnology in South Africa. 220 participants (N = 220) were sampled from the city of Kempton Park and the Chi-square formula was used to determine how well the sample represented the population under study. Data was collected using a 7-point Likert scale questionnaire designed following the guidelines for developing a theory of planned behaviour questionnaire in Ajzen (1991, 2001). Data analyses were carried out using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The Cronbach’s alpha and Exploratory Factor Analysis were both used to determine the internal consistency and validity of the questionnaire. Correlations, independent sample t-tests, ANOVA, linear regression, and path analysis were also conducted. Findings of the study confirmed that there is low public willingness to consume genetically modified crops and to accept modern agricultural biotechnology in South Africa.
Development Studies
M.A. (Development Studies)

碩士
大同大學
生物工程學系(所)
103
The purpose of this thesis was to investigate junior high school students’ attitudes (cognition, affect, and consuming behavior) towards genetic modified foods (GMFs). Two hundred and ninty nine students, 50.2% boys and 49.8% gilrs, from a junior high school in Taoyuan City in academic year 103 were the study target in this questionnaire survey. Data was statistically analyzed by descriptive statistics, independent t-test, one way ANOVA, general linear model and Pearson correlation analysis. The result of this research showed: 1. The order of junior high students’ main source of the information to obtain GMFs was from the mass media, classes in school, relatives and friends, the Network, and the government. 2. Based on the analysis of t-test and one way ANOVA, there were significant differences between obtained information from government among different grade of junior high school student’s cognition toward GMFs. 3. According to the results of t-test , the “the relatives and friends” and other sources were two main effective factors for junior high school students to obtain GMFs information. 4. There was a positive correction towards GMFs between student’s affection and the consuming behavior. However, the cognition towards GMFs had no positive correlation with the attitudes towards GMFs. The cognition towards GMFs had also no positive correlation with the consuming behavior towards GMFs.