Glowing, Resistant, and Safe?

Written by Stephen Kenney
Scientists at Cambridge and Edinburgh Universities have successfully developed genetically modified (also known as transgenic) chickens that can stem the transmission of avian influenza virus.  The GMO chickens are not immune to the virus, but they do not transmit the infection to other members of the flock.   This would prevent whole poultry houses from being lost to the virus. 

Researchers at the Roslin Institute at Edinburgh and the University of Cambridge Department of Veterinary Medicine injected a gene into the chickens that is specifically designed to produce molecules that stop the flu virus from reproducing.  The molecule is an RNA molecule that mimics the region of the flu virus genome that controls virus replication. 

The “decoy” gene is injected into a collection of cells on the yolk of a freshly laid egg.  The researchers refer to it as a “decoy” because these molecules bind and divert the flu virus enzyme from its crucial functions that are required for virus replication.  The research has thus far shown that the birds are not adversely affected in any way from the modification.  The experimental chickens were also injected with a fluorescent protein that makes the birds glow under ultraviolet light.  The protein is injected to help the researchers distinguish the GMO chickens from the traditional chickens.  Pictures of the chickens can be seen here.

The researchers believe that these GMO chickens would be safe to eat.  They believe that the nature of the genetic modification is such that it is very unlikely that consuming the GMO chickens, or eggs they would produce, could have any negative effect on people.  Any use of the chickens or eggs for food would have to be approved by the appropriate agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration in the US, and the European Food Safety Authority in Europe.

Energy and Commerce Committee Holds Hearing on GMO Labeling Bill

On June 18, 2015, the United States House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health held a hearing on House Bill 1599, regarding the implementation of a national framework for the labeling of foods containing genetically-modified organisms (GMOs).

House Bill 1599 would create a voluntary labeling standard for foods containing GMOs. The bill would require USDA certification for a product to be labeled as non-GMO as well as requiring FDA safety approval for new genetically engineered traits in crops and products. The bill would also preempt any individual state laws regarding GMO labeling, such as Vermont’s mandatory labeling law.

Testimony was heard from both proponents and opponents of the bill. One proponent of House Bill 1599 stated that a national framework would protect farmers and agricultural cooperatives from a “hodgepodge of rules” that would be “unworkable.” Another testified that compliance with Vermont’s law is “really a nightmare” for manufacturers, requiring either product reformulation or creation of a separate line of product labeling for the state.  One proponent even testified that GMO labeling is meaningless, as all food products have been altered from their original state, stating that “it is a process, not a product.”

One opponent of the bill stated that the lack of a new safety approval process through the FDA leaves safety determinations in the hands of companies.  Another opponent testified that by preempting state laws, the bill interferes with the role of states “as laboratories of democracy to develop novel…experiments without risk to the rest of the country.”

To watch the full hearing, click here.

Written by Tyler R. Etter- Research Assistant

June 19, 2015

Kauai Limits Use of Pesticides on Genetically Modified Crops

Legislators on the Hawaiian island of Kauai approved have approved a bill that would restrict the use of pesticides by companies developing genetically modified crops on the island.  The Kauai County Council voted 6-to-1 to pass the bill on October 16^th after a hearing that lasted a day and a half.

The island has become a popular place for growing new varieties of corn and other genetically modified crops for the production of seeds due to its warm weather allowing for three corn harvests a year.  DuPont Pioneer, Sygenta, Dow, and BASF all grow corn on the island.

The bill would establish no-spray zones around schools, medical facilities, homes, public roads, and waterways.  It would also require seed companies to disclose which pesticides they use.  The original bill would have also limited genetically modified crop planting, but those provisions were eventually removed from the bill after seed companies argued that the original bill would have forced them off the island.  Seed companies also threatened to challenge the original bill in court.

The text of the original bill can be found here.  The New York Times article reporting the bill approval can be found here.

Written by Alyssa Looney – Research Assistant

The Agricultural Law Resource and Reference Center

@PSUAgLawCenter

October 25, 2013

The Oregon State Legislature Passes a Bill that Prohibits Counties from Regulating Genetically Engineered Crops

S.B. 863 declares that “regulation of agricultural seed, flower seed, nursery seed and vegetable seed and products of agricultural seed, flower seed, nursery seed and vegetable seed be reserved to the state,” preventing local governments from adopting any of their own GE policies. 

Senate Bill 863 has been passed by the senate and the house but is still waiting to be signed into law by Oregon’s Governor. Governor John Kitzhaber has stated that before he signs the bill into law he wants state officials to map locations of GE crops.  In addition, he wants to implement buffer zones between GE crops and organic crops in the state by 2015. 

To view Senate Bill 863 and additional general information about the bill click here.

To track the continuing activity of the bill click here. 

Written by Joseph Negaard - Research Assistant

The Agricultural Law Resource and Reference Center

@PSUAgLawCenter

October 8, 2013