Comprehensive Characterization of Transgene Integration in a Similar Intragenesis Rice Event Using Paired-end Whole-genome Sequencing Approach

Efficient, accurate molecular characterization of genetically modified (GM) organisms is challenging, especially for novel transgenic products of cisgenesis/intragenesis transferred with genes/elements of recipient species. Herein, GM rice event G281, involving transfer with native promoters and an RNA interference (RNAi) expression cassette in a process similar to intragenesis, was subjected to molecular characterization using paired-end whole genome sequencing (PE-WGS). The results showed that transgenes integrated at rice chromosome 3 locus 16,439,674 included a 36 bp deletion of rice genomic DNA, and the whole integration contained two copies of the complete transfer DNA (T-DNA) in a head-to-head arrangement. No unintended insertion or backbone sequence of the transformed plasmid were observed at the whole genome level. Molecular characterization of the G281 event will assist risk assessment and application for a commercial license. Additionally, the findings demonstrate the applicability of PE-WGS for molecular characterization of cisgenesis/intragenesis crops.

Stakeholders’ Attitudes Toward Genetically Modified Rice in Malaysia

Rice, as a staple food for a large proportion of the world, is a vitally important food crop. More than 3.5 billion people in the world depend on rice, which provides 20% of human calorific needs per day. This paper aims to analyze several sociodemographic factors that affect stakeholders’ attitudes toward genetically modified (GM) rice in Malaysia. This research involved a total of 509 adult respondents in the Klang Valley. The results of the study showed that Malaysian stakeholders’ attitudes toward GM rice can be classified as positive. They perceived GM rice as having moderate benefits and risks, and they considered the moral aspects to be moderate, as was religious acceptance. One-way MANOVA initially detected a significant difference in attitude toward GM rice across stakeholder groups, educational level, and age. Additionally, univariate as well as post hoc analysis, confirmed significant differences in attitudes across stakeholders (perceived moral concerns, religious acceptance, and encouragement); educational level (perceived benefits, religious acceptance); and age (religious acceptance). These findings are useful for scientists and government regulators in terms of understanding the effects of sociodemographic factors on attitudes toward GM rice in Malaysia.

Safety verification of genetically modified rice morphology, hereditary nature, and quality

Background The drought environment occurs frequently due to the unpredictable future climate change, and drought has a direct negative impact on crops, such as yield reduction. Drought events are random, frequent, and persistent. Molecular breeding can be used to create drought-tolerant food crops, but the safety of genetically modified (GM) plants must be demonstrated before they can be adopted. In this research, the environmental risk of drought-tolerant GM rice was explored by assessing phenotype and gene flow. Drought resistance genes CaMsrB2 inserted HV8 and HV23 were used as GM rice to analyze the possibility of various agricultural traits and gene flow along with non-GM rice. Results When the traits 1000-grain weight, grain length/width, and yield, were compared with GM rice and non-GM rice, all agricultural traits of GM rice and non-GM rice were the same. In addition, when the germination rate, viviparous germination rate, pulling strength, and bending strength were compared to analyze the possibility of weediness, all characteristic values of GM rice and non-GM rice were the same. Protein, amylose, and moisture, the major nutritional elements of rice, were also the same. Conclusions The results of this research are that GM rice and non-GM rice were the same in all major agricultural traits except for the newly assigned characteristics, and no gene mobility occurred. Therefore, GM rice can be used as a means to solve the food problem in response to the unpredictable era of climate change in the future.

An analysis of media discourse on genetically modified rice in China

Current problems and controversies involving GM issues are not limited to scientific fields but spill over into the social context. When disagreements enter society via media outlets, social factors such as interests, resources, and values can contribute to complicating discourse about a controversial subject. Using the framework for the analysis of media discourse proposed by Carvalho, this paper examines news reports on Chinese GM rice from the dimensions of both text and context, covering the period of 2001–2015. This study shows that media may not only construct basic concepts, theme, and discursive strategies but also generate an ideological stance. This ideology constituted an influential dimension of the GM rice controversy. By following ideology consistent with the dominant position of the Chinese government, the media selectively constructed and endowed GM rice with a specific meaning in the Chinese social context, making possible the reproduction and communication of GM rice knowledge and risks to the public.

Monitoring of Genetically Modified Rice among Some Imported Rice Samples in Iran

Background: Genetically Modified (GM) foods are produced using genetic engineering. This survey attempted to identify the presence of GM rice varieties among some imported rice samples in Iran. Methods: From May to July 2016, a total of 50 samples of the imported rice to Iran were obtained, including 20 bulk rice samples from Bandar Abbas custom, Southern Iran and 30 retail rice samples from some commercial brands sold in the local markets of Yazd, Iran. Polymerase Chain Reaction was used to assess the GM varieties. Results: None of the studied rice samples had the target genes related to GM products. Conclusion: This study indicated no evidence for presence of GM rice among some bulk and retail imported rice samples in Iran. Since marketing of GM rice is not legally permitted in Iran, more comprehensive studies must be designed with higher sample size in various provinces of country to achieve more detailed data about situation of GM rice in the Iranian markets.

Impact of Tillage and Residue Management on Hydro-physical Properties of Clay Soil under Rice-wheat Cropping System in Indo-Gangetic Plains of India

A field experiment on the residual impact of tillage operations and organic residues incorporation on hydro-physical properties of clay soil under the rice-wheat cropping system in split-plot design with three replications was carried out at the experimental farm of BAU, Sabour. The treatments of tillage operations and application of organic residues, along with their interactions, significantly decreased the soil strength/compaction and consequently bulk density of the soils over control. It was confirmed by the positive and highly significant correlation of soil strength with the bulk density (r = 0.802**). The maximum decrease was noted under T3 (Mould board plough) and C6 (GM + rice husk) and their interactions. A significant decrease in clod size was observed under treatments T3 and C6 and their interactions over control. The maximum increase in stable water-stable aggregates was estimated under treatments T3 and C6 and their interactions (T3 x C6) due to an increase in porosity and decrease in compaction of the soils which led to increasing in hydraulic conductivity. This was further confirmed by a positive and highly significant correlation of hydraulic conductivity with MWD (r = 0.788**) and negatively and highly significant correlation with compaction (r = -0.646**) and BD (r = -0.846**). It was revealed that the soil moisture content showed a variable increase with variable depth and observed their maximum values in T4 (28%) and C6 (29%) treatments at 45-60 cm depth of the soils. The increase in yield of wheat grain was highest under the influence of treatments (MB) T3 and C6 (GM + rice husk) and their interaction. These observations were further confirmed by the positive and highly significant correlation of yield of wheat grain with MWD (r = 0.514*) and HC (r = 0.482*) and negative and highly significant correlation with soil strength (r = -0.649**). The most effective treatments were T3 and C6 and their interactions, while minimum improvements were noted under T1 (desi plough) and C3 (paddy straw) and their interactions.