The Tendency of Transgenic Plants Spread in 2019-2021

Abstract

The achievement of modern biotechnology, in particular genetic engineering in crop production, provides not only the possibility of increasing production, but also more efficient use of natural resources and reduces the negative impact on the environment. Recent publications indicate the widespread distribution of genetically modified (GM) agricultural crops in the world that are currently in commercial use, research and development. All over the world, the most cultivated GM crops are cotton, soybeans, corn, and rapeseed, and the area under these biotechnological crops continues to grow every year. However, the analysis of publicly available sources of information revealed the risks of negative effects of GMOs on human and animal bodies, as well as on the environment and biodiversity.
 The article analyzes the results of research on the presence of GM ingredients in plant raw materials, processing products, and feed for productive and non-productive animals for the period 2019-2021. The study was conducted by the polymerase chain reaction method in real time (PCR-RF), according to DSTU ISO 21569:2008 (ISO 21569:2005, IDT), and DSTU ISO 21571:2008 (ISO 21571:2005, IDT). In the studied samples were detected target sequences of the promoter p35S CaMV (cauliflower mosaic virus), promoter p34S FMV, terminator NOS (T-NOS) T1 of the Agrobacterium tumefaciens plasmid, genes Pat, EPSPS, Cry 3A.
 Transgenic plants are present in circulation in the agricultural market of Ukraine, and the area under their crops is increasing.
 The largest number of GM plants was found in samples of rapeseed, soybeans, and feed for productive and non-productive animals. There was a tendency for an increase in the number of transgenic plants in tested samples. During rapeseed research in 2019, the number of positive samples was 6.5%, in 2020 – 7.4%, and in 2021 – 14.3%. When studying soybeans in 2019, the number of positive samples was 6.7%, in 2020 – 16.7%, and in 2021 – 18.2%.
 GM ingredients were also found in feed for productive and non-productive animals. In 2020 16.7% of compound feed for poultry were positive, while in 2021 there were no samples for research.
 As for feeds for non-productive animals, during 2019–2020 there were no detected positive samples, while in 2021 the number of positive samples was 12%.