Biotech Approaches to Overcome the Limitations of Using Transgenic Plants in Organic Farming

Abstract

Abstract:Organic farming prohibits the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) inasmuch as their genetic material has been altered in a way that does not occur naturally. In actual fact, there is a conventional identity between GMOs and transgenic organisms, so that genetic modification methods such as somatic hybridization and mutagenesis are equalized to conventional breeding. A loophole in this system is represented by more or less innovative genetic engineering approaches under regulatory discussion, such as cisgenesis, oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis, and antisense technologies, that are redefining the concept of GMOs and might circumvent the requirements of the GMO legislation and, indirectly, of organic farming.

Economic and Social Sustainability through Organic Agriculture: Study of the Restructuring of the Citrus Sector in the “Bajo Andarax” District (Spain)

“…Organic farming has been considered in prior research as an important means to ensure sustainable development [1]. In this context, organic farming is viewed as a means to produce food through the integration of cultural, biological, and mechanical practices aimed at preserving natural resources, biodiversity, animal welfare, and human health [13]. In addition, organic products are greatly appreciated by an increasing share of consumers, who consider them of higher quality, mainly due to the lack of chemical products used during the production or conservation phase, which, in turn, allows a more sustainable and environmentally friendly supply chain [14,15].…”

“…This higher demand made it possible for SAT Cítricos del Andarax to start a new business line in organic orange juice, which boosts the added value of the members' crops by using the discards from both fresh market citrus and white varieties for juice. human health [13]. In addition, organic products are greatly appreciated by an increasing share of consumers, who consider them of higher quality, mainly due to the lack of chemical products used during the production or conservation phase, which, in turn, allows a more sustainable and environmentally friendly supply chain [14,15].…”

I Have a Dream: Organic Movements Include Gene Manipulation to Improve Sustainable Farming

“…However, this concern is not valid for GM plants that contain genes present in natural variants or wild-types [1]. An admixture of a genetically engineered plant gene that is identical to a gene in sexually compatible wild plants is not detectable and thus cannot constitute a contamination.…”

“…Lombardo and Zelasco [1] consider the new plant breeding techniques (NPBTs), also referred to as NBTs (new breeding techniques), to be most promising for organic farming. They acknowledge that the standards of organic farming exclude, in principle, gene manipulation, but argue that several new approaches could be considered as non-genetically manipulated (GM), as they can be obtained by conventional breeding.…”

“…To address the problem of whether organic farming and gene manipulation may be compatible, I initiated a Special Issue in Sustainability by inviting experts of both fields to express their views on this topic [1][2][3][4][5][6][7]. I am most thankful to all contributors for joining this discussion, but also to the reviewers for evaluating these manuscripts.…”