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Re: [SANET-MG] Wisconsin release of bacterial pathogens with antibiotic resistance genes



Since when has field testing GM microbes been recognized as sustainable agriculture? The approach seems truly Orwellian. I have a PhD from Wisconsin, 1962, and I am shocked that Wisconsin people would lie down and let the University not only field test GM microbes but to falsely claim that the research is for sustainable agriculture! Please do , at least comment to USDA/APHIS!
http://www.ars.wisc.edu/
HANCOCK - The Hancock Agricultural Research Station is located in Waushara County in the part of Wisconsin known as the “Golden Sands”. The station’s sandy soils, most of which are irrigated, are representative of almost 2.5 million acres of sandy plain in central Wisconsin. Research at the Hancock station focuses on irrigated vegetable and field crops with an emphasis on potatoes, snap beans, cucumbers, field corn, sweet corn and alfalfa. The station has been recognized for sustainable agriculture research and outreach activities, and for research and demonstration work that supports integrated agricultural systems, particularly those focusing on ground water quality, environmental quality, and wind erosion.


jcummins wrote:

The closing date for public comments is rapidly approaching. This is one chance to say keep GM microbes out of Organic Food Crops!
Field-testing Bacterial Pathogens with Antibiotic Resistance Genes
Prof. Joe Cummins objects on behalf of Independent Science Panel, so should you The University of Wisconsin is preparing to release genetically modified (GM) Erwinia carotovora bacteria containing antibiotic resistance marker genes in environmental field tests. The United States department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has prepared a docket with background information on the release and there is a public comment period ending 15 September 2005 [1]. The tests are to be conducted at the University of Wisconsin Experiment Station near Hancock, Wisconsin. The environmental release of bacterial strains each containing a different antibiotic should be a matter of grave concern and a strong public response is in order. The purpose of the field trial seems to be simply experimental with no potential commercial application of the genetically modified bacteria. Erwinia carotovora causes a rot disease in potatoes. The experiment is designed to test the fitness of bacteria that have had genes known to be associated with pathogenesis that have been disrupted by inserting in those genes the antibiotic resistance genes. The antibiotic resistance genes not only eliminate the function of the pathogenesis gene but they also serve as selectable markers to identify the modified bacteria. The antibiotic resistance genes are precisely inserted into the target pathogenesis gene by adding short DNA tails to the resistance genes that are homologous to the target pathogenesis gene. The pathogenesis gene targeted is hrp, which controls secretion of virulence proteins into the host plant. Green fluorescence protein was inserted as a visual marker to identify potatoes with the modified bacteria [2]. The field test involves four GM mutant strains, WPP60,WPP198, WPP195 and WPP40. WPP60 was created by inserting the streptomycin/spectomycin genes into the hrpC, while WPP98 had chloramphenicol resistance gene inserted into hrpL. WPP195 was created by deleting the hrpN gene and inserting the choramphenicol resistance gene in its place. WPP40 has the kanamycin resistance gene inserted into the outD gene required for protein secretion, so it cannot secrete plant cell-wall degrading enzymes. Inserting antibiotic resistance genes into the hrp genes interferes with pathogenesis. However, only strain WPP40 that inactivates the outD gene is reduced in virulence in a direct assay, nevertheless, the researchers decided to carry out the field experiment [2]. They claim that the field tests are not expected to impact agricultural practice because “the test is solely for research purposes” even though Erwinia carotovora affects potato, cucumber, capsicum, turnip, brussel sprouts, carrots and celery, all of which are grown in the general area of the test site. Because the antibiotic resistance genes are not being selected by antibiotic application, they are not deemed to be a cause for concern, according to the applicants. The proposal believes that the antibiotic resistance genes cannot be transferred to bacteria affecting humans; justifying that position by referring to the US Food and Drug Administration’s judgment that antibiotic resistance is already prevalent in bacteria affecting humans and in soil-borne bacteria. Even though the soil is sandy and porous in the test site, the applicants claim that the spread of the GM bacteria is not expected, nor has it been tested for [2]. In general, the application focuses on the benefits of the experiments and ignores any evidence that might delay the experiment. Apart from the release of antibiotic resistance genes, the most obvious question is why release so many strains that are genetically modified as well as still virulent? That procedure provides high risk with little or no benefit.
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The belief expressed in the proposal, that GM Erwinia carotovora would not transfer antibiotic resistance genes to other soil bacteria, is inconsistent with the scientific literature. Horizontal gene transfer is commonplace in Erwinia and Klebsiella and transfer could extend to Salmonella, Shigella and E. coli [3]. The GM bacteria contaminating surfaces of food crops may also transfer antibiotic resistance gene to enteric bacteria when ingested by humans or animals. Bacteria phage were found to transfer genes between Erwinia species [4]. Transposons capable of mobilizing antibiotic resistance genes have been identified in Erwinia carotovora [5]. There is thus clear evidence that Erwinia is capable of moving resistance genes among soil Erwinia species, between other soil bacterial species and among enteric bacteria. A number of GM microbes bearing antibiotic resistance markers have been released commercially in the United States, these include Sinorhizobium, Agrobacterium and Psuedomonas [6]. Little effort appears to have been made to monitor the consequences of these releases. Mae-Wan Ho has discussed the hazards of horizontal gene transfer in some detail [7, 8]. The main problem with the proposed field test of GM Erwinia carotovara is the failure to monitor the spread of the modified bacteria and the horizontal spread of transgenes. The release of virulent GM Erwinia does not appear to provide any benefit that would justify the risks of spreading the antibiotic genes. This article has been submitted to the US EPA on behalf of the Independent Science Panel. Please add your support by registering your opposition in the docket by referring to this article.
Reference
1. University of Wisconsin-Madison Availability of Environmental Assessment for Field Tests of Genetically Engineered Erwinia carotovora Agency Document Number APHIS-2005-0069-0001 Comment Period End Date (mm/dd/yyyy): 09-12-2005 http://docket.epa.gov/edkfed/do/EDKStaffCollectionDetailView?objectId=0b0007d48094780b 2. USDA/APHIS Environmental Assessment in response to permit application (05-097-01r) received from University of Wisconsin for field testing of genetically engineered strains of bacterium, Erwinia carotovora subsp. Carotovora 2005 http://docket.epa.gov/edkfed/do/EDKStaffAttachDownloadPDF?objectId=090007d48094780e 3 Mulec J, Starcic M and Zgur-Bertok D. F-like plasmid sequences in enteric bacteria of diverse origin, with implication of horizontal transfer and plasmid host range. Curr Microbiol. 2002, 44, 231-5. 4. Chatterjee AK, Ross LM, McEvoy JL and Thurn KK. pULB113, an RP4::mini-Mu plasmid, mediates chromosomal mobilization and R-prime formation in Erwinia amylovora, Erwinia chrysanthemi, and subspecies of Erwinia carotovora. Appl Environ Microbiol. 1985, 50(1),1-9. 5. Kotoujansky A, Lemattre M and Boistard P. Utilization of a thermosensitive episome bearing transposon TN10 to isolate Hfr donor strains of Erwinia carotovora subsp. Chrysanthemi. J Bacteriol. 1982, 150(1),122-31. 6. Cummins J. GM microbes invade North America. Science in Society 2003, 19, 39.
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7. Ho MW Horizontal gene transfer – The hidden hazards of genetic engineering. ISIS Report http://www.i-sis.org.uk/full/HGTFull.php; also Biotechnology Series, Third World Network, Penang 2001. 8. Ho MW Recent evidence confirms risks of horizontal gene transfer. ISIS contribution to ACNFP/Food Standards Agency open meeting 2002
http://www.i-sis.org.uk/FSAopenmeeting.php
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