Promoting Ethically Responsible Use of Agricultural Biotechnology

Harfouche, Antoine; Petousi, Vasiliki; Meilan, Richard; Sweet, Jeremy; Twardowski, Tomasz; Altman, Arie

doi:10.1016/j.tplants.2020.12.015

Cited by 27 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 86 publications

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“…Exploring moral, utilitarian, personalist, and principal-based stances contribute to understanding the root causes of attitudes. Harfouche and collaborators showed that the ethical stance and values are decisive in the acceptance and trust of society towards GMOs as technology or their consumption as a product (Harfouche et al, 2021).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Attitudes of the Ecuadorian University Community Toward Genetically Modified Organisms

Collazo

Guerrero

Mejia

et al. 2022

Front. Bioeng. Biotechnol.

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Introduction: The acceptance of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) by the civilian population in Ecuador is a controversial issue, where beliefs and practices are determinant. In Ecuador, the use of GMOs for research or productive purposes has been banned since 2008; however, the current position of the population toward this technology is unknown.Objective: The aim of the study was to explain the attitude toward GMOs in the Ecuadorian university population based on sociodemographic variables, knowledge, beliefs, practices, and bioethical approach.Methods: A validated survey was applied to 719 students and teachers of the Catholic University of Cuenca through Google Forms. The collected data were processed using SPSS 23.0 software. Multivariate and linear regression analyses were used to explain the attitude toward GMOs based on the variables studied.Results: Partial approval of GMO use is research-oriented, with a rejection toward food. The linear regression model explained 65% of the variance of attitude toward GMOs from the beliefs, practices, knowledge, and bioethical approach variables. The sociodemographic variables were completely excluded from the model due to the absence of statistical significance.Conclusions: The incipient acceptance of GMOs in the academic sector corroborates a transformation in the thinking of Ecuadorian civil society. Considerations on the use of GMOs are supported by a bioethical approach that leans toward a pragmatic utilitarianism based on the immediate or mediate benefits of the technology.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The utilitarian approach arises the benefits obtained due to genetic modification of organisms for the people or where the benefit outweighs the existing risks (Appiah, 2015). This view argues for the extensive use of biotechnology to mitigate hunger in vast regions of the planet (Harfouche et al, 2021).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Attitudes of the Ecuadorian University Community Toward Genetically Modified Organisms

Collazo

Guerrero

Mejia

et al. 2022

Front. Bioeng. Biotechnol.

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“…Biotechnological techniques have varying benefits and risks depending on economic, environmental, cultural, or social factors. The application of plant biotechnological tools such as genome editing (GE) offers great potentials for developing new crops ( Harfouche et al., 2021 ). The application of advanced biotechnology to develop engineered crop varieties can make crops with better yields available throughout the year ( Dwivedi et al., 2018 ; Ionescu et al., 2017 ).…”

Section: Putative Impacts and Risks Of Using Biotechnological Techniquesmentioning

confidence: 99%

A review of biotechnological approaches towards crop improvement in African yam bean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa Hochst. Ex A. Rich.)

Oluwole

Aworunse

Aina

et al. 2021

Heliyon

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Globally, climate change is a major factor that contributes significantly to food and nutrition insecurity, limiting crop yield and availability. Although efforts are being made to curb food insecurity, millions of people still suffer from malnutrition. For the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goal of Food Security to be achieved, diverse cropping systems must be developed instead of relying mainly on a few staple crops. Many orphan legumes have untapped potential that can be of significance for developing improved cultivars with enhanced tolerance to changing climatic conditions. One typical example of such an orphan crop is Sphenostylis stenocarpa Hochst. Ex A. Rich. Harms, popularly known as African yam bean (AYB). The crop is an underutilised tropical legume that is climate-resilient and has excellent potential for smallholder agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Studies on AYB have featured morphological characterisation, assessment of genetic diversity using various molecular markers, and the development of tissue culture protocols for rapidly multiplying propagules. However, these have not translated into varietal development, and low yields remain a challenge. The application of suitable biotechnologies to improve AYB is imperative for increased yield, sustainable utilisation and conservation. This review discusses biotechnological strategies with prospective applications for AYB improvement. The potential risks of these strategies are also highlighted.

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“…However, although GM crops pose no additional risks to humans and the environment compared with conventional crops ( National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, 2016 ), the public constraints of the technology, particularly in the European Union, remain high ( Woźniak et al, 2021 ). The development of new plant breeding technologies (NPBTs), such as cisgenesis, intragenesis, and genome editing, can contribute to modifying public perception, particularly if they are properly communicated to society ( Cardi, 2016 ; Harfouche et al, 2021 ).…”

Section: Development Of Genetically Modified and Edited Varietiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Maize Transformation: From Plant Material to the Release of Genetically Modified and Edited Varieties

et al. 2021

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Over the past decades, advances in plant biotechnology have allowed the development of genetically modified maize varieties that have significantly impacted agricultural management and improved the grain yield worldwide. To date, genetically modified varieties represent 30% of the world’s maize cultivated area and incorporate traits such as herbicide, insect and disease resistance, abiotic stress tolerance, high yield, and improved nutritional quality. Maize transformation, which is a prerequisite for genetically modified maize development, is no longer a major bottleneck. Protocols using morphogenic regulators have evolved significantly towards increasing transformation frequency and genotype independence. Emerging technologies using either stable or transient expression and tissue culture-independent methods, such as direct genome editing using RNA-guided endonuclease system as an in vivo desired-target mutator, simultaneous double haploid production and editing/haploid-inducer-mediated genome editing, and pollen transformation, are expected to lead significant progress in maize biotechnology. This review summarises the significant advances in maize transformation protocols, technologies, and applications and discusses the current status, including a pipeline for trait development and regulatory issues related to current and future genetically modified and genetically edited maize varieties.

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Promoting Ethically Responsible Use of Agricultural Biotechnology

Cited by 27 publications

References 86 publications

Attitudes of the Ecuadorian University Community Toward Genetically Modified Organisms

Attitudes of the Ecuadorian University Community Toward Genetically Modified Organisms

A review of biotechnological approaches towards crop improvement in African yam bean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa Hochst. Ex A. Rich.)

Maize Transformation: From Plant Material to the Release of Genetically Modified and Edited Varieties

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