An Alternative to Monsanto and Gene Splicing (sort off ;)

[Cees Binkhorst]

REPLY TO: D66 at nic.surfnet.nl

Hetzelfde effect, maar dan met een andere truc.
En de claim dat het bestaande DNA niet verstoord, maar uitgebreid wordt.

Groet / Cees

An Alternative to Monsanto and Gene Splicing
http://www.businessweek.com/innovate/next/archives/2010/05/an_alternative_to_monsanto_and_gene_splicing.html
Posted by: Michael Arndt on May 5, 2010

Farmers and consumers have complained that in the U.S., at least, they
really have no choice but to buy soybeans and field corn that contain
genetic bits from other organisms, as I was reminded after posting this
blog
http://www.businessweek.com/innovate/next/archives/2010/01/anyone_whos_see.html.
Recently, I learned about a biotech company that might provide an
alternative to the transgenic crops created by the likes of Monsanto and
DuPont. Its first products are planned for smaller ag markets, though,
such as canola and flax.

The company is Cibus Global. The privately held company was spun off
from ValiGen in 2001, when management decided to narrow its focus to
biodrugs. Keith Walker, a PhD biologist who, early in his career, was a
Monsanto researcher, came over from ValiGen as Cibus’ president. Though
Cibus is based in San Diego, I talked with Walker while he was
vacationing in Las Vegas.

Here’s how he explained the different approach to bioengineering plants.
(You can watch this Cibus video for more info
http://www.cibus.com/video1.php) Like Monsanto does when it sets out to
add a new trait to a species—making it resistant to a weedkiller,
say—Cibus sifts through databases to find an organism that already has
that property. It then locates the exact bit of DNA that controls that
function, again just like Monsanto or its rivals do.

At this point, creators of genetically modified organisms would insert
that snippet into the plant’s own genes, essentially turning it into a
new living thing. (Which is why many people are scared about GMOs and
why governments have banned them.) Cibus also grabs that tiny string of
molecules, but instead of implanting it, the company merely exposes it
to the host’s DNA. This tricks the cell into thinking it’s found a
mutation. To repair itself, the cell alters its own DNA, thereby
incorporating the additional trait. The cell then digests and expels the
foreign molecules.

Because Cibus-altered plants don’t carry genes from other species,
they’re not subject to bans on GMO crops or labeling requirements.

Walker told me the Cibus way is also faster and cheaper than genetic
modification. To get a GMO to the marketplace costs $70 million to $100
million and takes seven to 10 years, he said. By comparison, he said,
Cibus can get there in three to five years for $7 million. The higher
expenses make transgenics too pricey for smaller farm crops, providing
Cibus an open field, if you will, for its “mutagenic” products.

The company is finding customers. On April 22, the Flax Council of
Canada announced a $6 million deal with Cibus to develop
herbicide-resistant flax. Canada exports 70% of the crop to Europe,
which doesn’t allow genetically modified organisms into food. Cibus aims
to have its new and improved—and safe-for-Europe—flax in fields in 2015.
Cibus is also working to develop canola, potatoes, rice, and sorghum
that can withstand weedkillers.

After these assignments, Walker dreams of using his bioengineering Rapid
Trait Development System to create organisms that can produce oils for
fuel or food, or a wheat that won’t cause allergic reactions to people
with celiac disease. Last fall, to deepen its pockets, Cibus agreed to
sell a 50.1% interest to Makhteshim-Agan of Tel Aviv over five years.
But if Cibus can prove out its technology, I wouldn’t be surprised to
see it become the property of one of its giant competitors one day. They
might want an alternative as much as farmers and consumers.
Reader Comments
Jimmy
May 13, 2010 4:09 PM

This is bullsh*t! All this is designed to do is get around the law and
continue to expose people to dangerous mutations! Thats why gmo's are
banned around the world because people woke up to the truth that they
are un-natural and dangerous! consumers DONT want franken-foods! we want
natural food that hasn't been contaminated by the likes of monsanto and
now these criminals. the ones who have done this to us will be held
accountable and I cant wait for that day to see all of these criminals
in jail for crimes against humanity.

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