"Genetisch Gewijzigde Organismen in relatie

tot de voedselvoorziening in 't algemeen,

en in 't bijzonder in ontwikkelingslanden”

Discussie Forum

28 Januari 2010, Leuven

Piet van der Meer

Moderator

Introduction

Historische context en introductie van de sprekers

11.00: Prof. Marc van Montagu

11.30: Dr. Vera Dua

12.00: Korte pauze

12.10: Algemene discussie

12.55: sluiting

Historical context

10.000 years ago man changed from hunting animals and gathering plants in the wild, to keeping animals and growing plants – agriculture was born.

For thousands of years, man has selected and crossed animals and plants that had characteristics they liked, such as better taste or more yield.

In this process, humans have dramatically changed the animals and plants they originally found in nature.

Historical context

For thousands of years, cross breeding was ‘trial and error’

19th century: Gregor Mendel discovered the rules of inheritance.

Early 20th century: discovery of hybrids

Early 20th century: discovery of inducing mutations by radiation and chemicals.

Historical context

While cross breeding and induced mutation are important tools of plant breeding, they also have limitations:  1. Cross breeding only works between related plants.

2. For some species cross breeding is extremely difficult.

3. Cross breeding can take very long.

4. Not only the desired genes are crossed over

5. Mutation is undirected and unpredictable

Historical context

Scientific developments in the 20th century to overcomethese limitations:

Discovery of ‘genes’ and of the building blocks - DNA.

Discovery of genetic modification- identify a specific gene- isolate that gene, - transfer genes into plant cells

Genetic Modification of Plants

Traditionalplant breeding

x

“elite”variety

Related variety

GeneticModification

any gene

source

Genetic Modification of Plants

Differences compared to conventional breeding:

• Specific

• Faster

• Possible with plants that do not cross sexually

• Much greater reservoir of genes

Genetic Modification

Society has two questions for any new technology:

• Can it be useful?

• Is it safe?

De Sprekers

Prof. Marc van Montagu

Dr. ir. Vera Dua

Em. Prof. Marc van Montagu

• Co-discovered DNA transformation of plants and the molecular basis of several plant physiological processes.

• Among the 10 most cited scientists in Plant & Animal Science

• Institute of Plant Biotechnology for Developing Countries - 2000

• Received the title of Baron for his scientific accomplishments

• Member of several academies of science, and holder of numerous Doctor Honoris Causa degrees.

• President of the European Federation of Biotechnology (EFB), and of the Public Research Responsibility Initiative (PRRI).

Dr. ir. Vera Dua

• Doctor in de landbouwwetenschappen

• Verleden als wetenschappelijk medewerker + ambtenaar leefmilieuadministratie

• 19 jaar nationale politieke voor een groene partij in diverse parlementen

• 4 jaar Vlaams Minister van Leefmilieu en Landbouw

• Altijd het thema landbouw politiek van dichtbij opgevolgd

• Momenteel actief in Terra Reversa, een sociaal-ecologische denktank