Innovation in Plant Breeding - PowerPoint Presentation

Slide1

Innovation in Plant Breeding

National Council of Farmer Cooperatives

Government Affairs Committee

November

12

,

2015

Jane DeMarchiSlide2

The Goals of Plant Breeders Remain the SameSlide3

Source: BDPSlide4

Genetic Variability: Fundamental to Plant Breeding

Photos: Corbis

Phil Simon, ARSSlide5

Plant

breeders today have access to an incredible array of genetic information from both commercial and wild plant varieties.Slide6

Genetic Variability: Fundamental to Plant Breeding

Newer

breeding methods also use genetic variability as source material

Very specific changes in existing plant genesAbility to transfer defined pieces of plant’s genetic materialThe plant varieties developed using these new tools could, in most cases, be developed through classical breedingSlide7

Focus on Gene Editing

Various m

ethods

include: Talens

, Zinc Fingers, CrispersThese methods allow us to precisely change specific DNA sequences in an identified geneRe-create

gene sequence from wild relative—e.g., disease resistance

Target

multi-genic characteristics—e.g., output and consumer traits

“Silence” unwanted or deleterious

gene

Enhance beneficial genesSlide8

Is Gene Editing the Same as GMOs?

No stable insertion of a gene

“Foreign” DNA can be removed from final plant variety

Utilizes plants own DNA repair mechanismsA more precise way of inducing genetic variation (mutation)Slide9

Importance to Plant Breeders

Gene editing

methods

can be used across all agriculturally important cropsEfficient and precise

Can reduce R&D and breeding timeImportant for plants with long generation times

Important for crops with rapidly evolving diseases and pests

Relatively inexpensive

Widely available

to

companies of all

sizes and public breedersSlide10

Policy Endpoints

Question is

not

whether a new plant variety is adequately regulatedFDA already has oversight for all

foods derived from plantsAPHIS has ample authority to address risks posed by plant pests and noxious weeds Question is whether a special pre-market review and clearance process is warrantedSlide11

No stable Gene Insertion (e.g., gene editing)

Sexually

Compatible (e.g.,

cisgenics

)

Genetic Insertion?

Stable Gene

Insertion

Source of DNA?

Not Sexually Compatible

“Product” of genetic insertion in final variety?

Protein/trait--History

of Safe

Use or familiarity?

No Pre-market

Review

Pre-market Review Required

OR

Protein

Expressed

No

History or familiarity

No Protein

Expressed (e.g., gene silencing)

History of Safe

Use or familiarity

OR

AND

AND

DRAFT CONCEPTSlide12

Many Moving Parts Now

White House Memo on Coordinated Framework

Goals

Clarify roles and responsibilitiesDevelop a long-term strategy Timeline is short Stakeholder input

Comments due Friday, November 13th Slide13

APHIS/BRS Review of Part 340 regulations

Notice of Intent (NOI) as soon as December

BRS – “Assess Risk then Regulate”

Good Points Risk based approachBad Points

All new breeding techniques swept into initial review Too much uncertainty Trade implications Slide14

Safe

and Accurate

Food Labeling

Definitions What is genetic engineering or a genetically engineered plant? HR 1599 does not include new breeding techniques

Impact on Pre-emption Slide15

International Goal:

Consistent Policy End Points

Role of International Seed Federation

Other countriesEU legal interpretationJapan

ArgentinaAustraliaBuilding AlliancesSlide16

Education Key to Consumer Appreciation

of Seed and Seed ImprovementSlide17

Communication is Key

Policy Makers

Value Chain

Public/consumersDomestic and InternationalSlide18

Goal: To Have Entire Toolbox AvailableSlide19

Thank You