ISHS Acta Horticulturae 460: International Symposium on Biotechnology of Tropical and Subtropical Species Part 1
E. INTERNATIONAL CO-OPERATION |
| Abstract:
In 1991, the Mexican public Centre for Research and Advanced Studies (CINVESTAV) started co-operating with the U.S. private corporation Monsanto Co. on the transfer of gene technology for virus resistance in potatoes. In the late 1980s, Monsanto Co. researchers were able to incorporate resistance to both potato viruses X and Y (PVX and PVY) by a single transformation event. To that aim, they developed a vector including the PVX and PVY coat protein genes and a selectable marker gene. In 1990, they reported PVX and PVY resistance in Russett Burbank, a widely grown potato variety in the USA and Canada (Commandeur, 1996). Besides the transfer of the coat-protein genes and the relevant genetic engineering techniques, the collaboration included training of CINVESTAV staff at Monsanto Co. Life Science Research Center in St. Louis, Missouri. The programme has been a success as the same virus resistance was achieved first in Alpha, the most popular potato variety grown in Mexico. Later, the resistance was transferred to Rosita and Norteña, two very popular varieties among small-scale farmers. The first field tests of the genetically-modified Alpha potato took place in one of Monsanto Co. test fields in Washington State. Starting in 1993, a second test, which also included Rosita and Norteña, was conducted in Irapuato, Mexico, following a similar protocol as in Washington State. Since the latter field test was the first one organized and performed by a Mexican institution, the development of biosafety regulations was an essential part of this programme. Earlier field tests in Mexico dealt with imported varieties that passed the complete biosafety procedure in their home country. In this case, one could not rely on earlier biosafety tests since the potato varieties had nowhere passed a complete biosafety procedure. Furthermore, since the transgenic potato varieties are expected to be released in massive amounts in the coming years, also in places where wild relatives of the potato are found, a new series of aspects had to be considered in the risk assessment. The large-scale field tests of the transgenic Alpha throughout Mexico, which started in 1994, were carried out by the CINVESTAV in collaboration with the Mexican National Institute for Research in Forestry, Agriculture and Livestock (INIFAP) [Commandeur, 1996]. The programme between CINVESTAV and Monsanto Co. was one of the first mediated by the International Service for Acquisition of Agri-Biotechnological Applications (ISAAA), which is a non-profit making organization, originating from Cornell University, with further centres in Norwich (United Kingdom) and Nairobi (Kenya). It aims at ‘facilitating the acquisition and transfer of agricultural biotechnology applications from the industrial countries, particularly proprietary technology from the private sector, for the benefit of the developing world’ (Commandeur, 1996). The Rockefeller Foundation, that has been active in funding potato breeding in Mexico since the late 1940s, has financed the collaboration. It contributed a total of $350,000 for salaries and travel expenses of the Mexican staff outside Mexico, and for equipment and reagents for use at the CINVESTAV. In addition, the Foundation provided funds for training of Mexican officials in biosafety (Commandeur, 1996). | |
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