Transgenic food and the third world

By Adolfo R. Taylhardat (*)

Transgenic food, also known as genetically modified food (GMF), are obtained as the result of a process of genetic engineering by artificially transferring specific information from an organism (fruit, animal, seed, plant, etc) into another organism. The process consists in introducing a gene which commands a certain function from an organism into the DNA chain of another in order to improve certain properties of the resulting product. This transfer is even possible between different natural reigns (animal genes have been successfully inserted into vegetable organisms). Through this process it has been possible to increase the resistance of certain plants to dryness, humidity, temperature, weather, insects, herbicides, insecticides, to improve their productivity and/or, augment their nutritious qualities, extend their durability without the need of artificial means of preservation, etc.

A certain international campaign is being displayed to induce into the public the notion that consuming GMF is dangerous to health. The campaign affirms that they are susceptible of producing chemical or biological contamination, allergies and even cancer. Such allegiances have not been scientifically confirmed. The campaign generally uses expression like “there is a possibility”, “it is assumed”, “it is believed” “they can”, “they might” “probably”, “possibly”, when reference is made to the assumed perilous effects of GMF. This is because no conclusive proof of threats to health has been established.

Understandably, but also unfortunately such campaign is provoking a serious impact in the general public. This is understandable because the normal reaction of a human been is to take every precaution in order protect itself from any eventual risk, especially from unknown hazards.

It is unfortunate because it attempts against the development of scientific progress.

The promoters of that campaign are succeeding in creating in the public a certain degree of fear or mistrust towards genetic engineering. They are generating a dichotomy between defenders of transgenics and enemies of genetic engineering.

Most of the arguments raised against GMF are of a procedural nature and relate to the lack of methodology in the evaluation and testing of the products or to the absence of regulations and technical or legal formalities when authorizing their commercialization.

But the campaign against GMF seem to deliberately aim at mistaking the public by affirming that GMF bring no real benefit from the point of view of consumers because “they are not cheaper, tastier, more nutritious, nor more trustworthy than conventional food”.

The truth is that one of the main goals of research and development in the field of genetic engineering related to GMF is precisely to produce cheaper, more productive, less vulnerable food-producing plants and /or animals, thus contributing to solve, or at least alleviate, the problems of hunger and poverty in the world, particularly in developing countries. In developed countries it has become fashionable to consume “natural food” sold in “naturistic shops”. As such products can only be produced in relatively small amounts using methods of intensive agriculture, their price is inevitably high. A luxury that only societies with a high standard of living and high levels of wages can afford.

Another argument being used against GMF is that the big transnational companies detain the monopoly of their production and commercialization. This argument denotes a certain degree of inferiority complex. In genetic engineering probably the most important ingredient is one that is abundant all over the world including in the developing nations and even in the poorest countries. That ingredient is brain, intelligence, and intellectual capacity.

Any country, no matter how reach or poor is capable of developing the necessary scientific and technological capabilities to be able to utilize, and take advantage of, the benefits of genetic engineering in finding solutions to the health and hunger problems of its population.

This is in essence the purpose of the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), an international scientific institution specifically created to facilitate the access of developing countries to these two areas of science and to enable them to utilize their own biodiversity wealth for the benefit of their populations.

In its six years of existence ICGEB has proved to be a centre of very high excellence at the service of third world countries, effectively helping them to strengthen their scientific and technological capabilities and enabling them to develop and apply genetic engineering and biotechnology.

Venezuela has wisely taken advantage of the benefits and opportunities offered by the ICGEB. The following projects by various Venezuelan scientist have received financial and technical support from the Centre: a pilot project of the application of nucleic acid probes to malaria diagnosis (H. A. Perez); introduction of tomato yellow mosaic virus resistance in tomato by methods of cell and genetic engineering (D. Infante ); study of the digestive microflora as a tool for overcoming nutritional constraqints of tropical legumes (M. G. Bello); development and improvement of methos for plant regeneration and transformation in commercially important crops from the slanaceae family (N. Piven); molelcular studies on the dimorphism of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis (G. San Blas); regulatory elements in the initiation of DNA replication in mycobacteria (H. E. Takiff) and characterization of rotavirus/specific human T and B cells by ELISPOT (i. Perez Schael). Still, compared to other member countries, Venezuela has made relatively little use of the challenging opportunities of cooperation available from the ICGEB.

Currently ICGEB has 42 member countries, the majority of them developing nations. In its two components, or laboratories, located in Trieste (Italy) and New Delhi (India), and through its network of affiliated centers, ICGEB is lending a valuable contribution to humanity by training young scientist from the third world and by cooperating with its members countries in solving their pressing problems of development.

(*) President of the Board of Governors of the International

Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology