• Applied Biological Chemistry
• /
• v.46 no.4
• /
• pp.344-347
• /
• 2003

A method using PCR was developed for the monitoring of genetically modified soybean (GMS) and GMS derived foods utilized in the market. We designed 3 pairs of specific oligonucleotide primers based on epsps and pat inserted in GMS and ferritin gene as internal standards. Template DNAs isolated from soybean and processed foods were used for multiplex PCR with 3 primer sets. PCR, used with specific primer sets for GMS detection, showed the amplified DNA fragments with GMS template DNA. In this study, GMS containing epsps was detected from soy processed foods manufactured before GM food labeling system, however, GMS containing epsps or pat was not detected from soy processed foods manufactured after GM food labeling system.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.36 no.5
• /
• pp.723-727
• /
• 2004

Qualitative and quantitative PCR methods were performed to examine detection and quantitation of epsps inserted into genetically modified soybean (GMS) in processed foods, soy milk, tofu, and biji (soybean curd residue). Using PCR amplification to produce two (121 and 330 bp) epsps in GMS, detection limits of GMS in soy milk, tofu, and biji containing 0.01% GMS were measured. For quantitative detection, test samples containing 1, 3, and 5% GMS were measured by real-time PCR method. Results show real-time PCR method is applicable to detect GMS quantitatively in processed foods.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Toxicology Conference
• /
• 2006.11a
• /
• pp.87-94
• /
• 2006

Genetically modified (CM) crops with agricultural traits including herbicide resistance and insect tolerance have been commercialized. The safety testing strategies conducted for food and feed ingredients from GM crops differ from those applied to food ingredients in that they are conducted to demonstrate similarity between the CM food and the appropriate non-CM comparator rather than for quantitative risk assessment. However, there are similarities in the design and conduct of the safety assessment studies between these types of studies that should be readily recognized by toxicologists. The current presentation reviews some of the basic principles of safety assessment of typical dietary ingredients and compares and contrasts them with the testing strategies applied to CM foods and products obtained from them.

• Toxicological Research
• /
• v.19 no.1
• /
• pp.1-12
• /
• 2003

New breeding method by genetic engineering is expected as a key technology to solve food shortage due to the growing world population in the year 2000s. Many genetically modified organisms (GMOs) were already developed and the commercial cultivation had started. The first GMO, Flavr Savr tomato, which rotted at a much slower pace than ordinary ones, was developed in US in 1994. Since then, over than 70 different agricultural products including corn, cotton, soybean, papaya, potato, and squash made with genetically modified plants are reportedly on sale worldwide. Supporters favor the GMOs because they have greater yields, longer shelf lives and stronger resistance to disease and insects. On the other hand, opponents say that the supporters ignore a potential danger that they may damage the environment as well as human beings. To assure the safe development and use of GMOs as food and other biotech products, the possible risks on biological environment and human health should be throughly examined and regulated by developer and government. Because the biosafety problem is a global, environmental, and trade issue, a new international treaty is under development. The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety was adopted at the 1 st Extraordinary Conference of Parties of the Convention on Biological Diversity which was held at Mont-real, Canada, Jan. 29th, 2000. The adoption of the Protocol is seen as a breakthrough in that it is based on the" Precautionary Principle" despite scientific uncertainties surrounding potential risks that GMOs may inflict on human health and the environment and that it has laid the ground for introduction of specific steps to handle international trading of GMOs. In this paper, the authors would like to introduce the current status and perspective of environmental and human risk assessment of GMOs.t of GMOs.

• Journal of Families and Better Life
• /
• v.21 no.4
• /
• pp.69-77
• /
• 2003

The goal of this study was to examine which factors influence consumers' demands to reveal the identity of GMO(Genetically Modified Organism) food, risk perception, and decision-making to purchase it. Consumers perceived its risk, and demanded labeling to identify it. Not many consumers wanted to buy GMO food. The results also revealed as follows. First, the level of demand to label for identifying GMO food were high among female consumers, consumers with negative attitude, and consumers severly perceived its risk. The level of perceived risk was high among consumers who were old and had high income, exercised their own healthy programs, showed negative attitude toward GMO food, and demanded strongly for labelling. Second, old consumers, consumers with high income, consumers concerning more about health, consumers with negative attitude and strong demand to label for identifying GMO food were more likely to perceive risk highly for GMO food. Third, consumers' attitudes and the level of perceived risks for GMO food significantly influenced the decision-making to purchase GMO food. However, other variables turned out not to affect consumers' decision-making to purchase it.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.45 no.2
• /
• pp.156-160
• /
• 2013

A duplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method was developed to detect unapproved genetically modified (GM) potato (EH92-527-1) in Korea. The UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase (UGP) gene was selected as an endogenous reference gene for potato and used to validate the specificity for 14 different crops. The primer pair EH92-F/R was designed to amplify the junction sequence between the genome and transgenic region introduced in GM potato. Its specificity was also validated using several different GM events. The detection limit of the duplex PCR method is approximately 0.05%. This duplex PCR method could be useful for monitoring cultivation of unauthorized GM potato in Korea.

• Journal of Science and Technology Studies
• /
• v.11 no.2
• /
• pp.31-66
• /
• 2011

The main issue in Korean debates over genetically modified (GM) foods have been government's responsibility to guarantee consumers' right-to-know and make informed choice. Counter-experts' critique over the current regulatory processes based upon substantial equivalence have not been widely publicized. Through interviews and textual analysis, this paper explored three groups' performances in Korean GM food controversies-regulatory scientists, civil society organizations, and counter-experts. Analytic focus was made upon how each of the groups interact with current GM food regulations. While making conflicts with regulatory scientists and their 'discourse of compliance with global standards,' counter-experts were excluded from regulatory processes. This article suggests that the processes and contexts in which counter-experts failed to form strong alliance with other groups need to be examined in order to further understand the specific contours of Korean GM food controversies.

• Analytical Science and Technology
• /
• v.28 no.2
• /
• pp.117-124
• /
• 2015

Genetically modified (GM) papaya line 55-1, which is resistant to PRSV infection, has been marketed globally. Prompt and sensitive protocols for specific detections are essential for the traceability of this line. Here, an event- and construct-specific real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method was established to detect 55-1. Qualitative detection was possible for fresh papaya fruit up to dilutions of 0.005% and 0.01% for the homozygous SunUp and heterozygous Rainbow cultivars, respectively, in non-GM papaya. The method was applied in the qualitative detection of 55-1 in eight types of commercially processed papaya products. Additionally, papaya products were monitored to distinguish GM papaya using the P35S and T-nos RT-PCR detection methods. As expected, detection capacity was improved via modified sample preparation and the established RT-PCR detection method. Taking these results together, it can be suggested that a suitable method for the extraction and purification of DNA from processed papaya products was established for the detection of GM papaya.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.32 no.8
• /
• pp.1401-1407
• /
• 2003

A survey of consumers' awareness and attitudes about genetically modified food and korean labelling regulation entered into force in July, 2001 was conducted from October, 2001 to January 2002. The questionnaires were distributed to 519 consumers who are members of panel survey system of Korea Consumer Protection Board and lived in 7 largest cities of Korea. The consumers were asked about knowledge, concerns of potential hazards, intention of purchasing, and present labelling regulation. More than 85.7% of the respondents had some knowledge on genetically modified (GM) foods. More than 44.9% of consumers relied on the information from the civil activity group but only 9.6% of consumers from the government. The greatest benefit of GM food was thought to be a solution for the food shortage in the future. While, regarding a potential hazard, more than 71.6% of respondents worried about the safety of GM foods. First of all, 52.2% of korean consumer concerned about food toxicity or side effect. 53.2% of consumers responded that they would not purchase GM labelled foods and about 28.0% of respondents suspended judgement on willingness to purchase until they would get more information. Regarding complement field of present GMO labelling regulation, over 45.2% of consumers responded that labelling was needed to be more easily found. Also more than 95.1% of consumers hope to expand a list of mandatory labelling articles.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
• /
• v.26 no.6
• /
• pp.657-672
• /
• 2011

This study was a survey of consumer awareness and attitudes about genetically modified foods and their labeling regulations. Questionnaires were distributed to 4,620 consumers who lived in different areas of Korea, and 4,076 people responded. The consumers were asked about knowledge, labeling information, and their sources of information about GM foods. Respondents from Seoul, Jeonnam, and Gyeongnam answered mostly "nearly don't know > moderate > never know > know a little." Respondents from Gyeonggi answered "moderate > nearly don't know > never know > know a little." According to occupation, housewives, company employees, consultants, and students answered mostly "nearly don't know > moderate > never know > know a little. "Consumers answered about the intent to buy GM foods differently according to area, occupation, and education. Seoul and Gyeonggi residents said that reinforcing factors to relieve the insecurity of GM foods were "evaluating safety > management of GM foods by the government > GM food regulation system." There were other answers according to area, occupation, and education. About GM-related education methods that they wished to have, residents of the Seoul area said "books/leaflets" most often, but residents of the Gyounggi area said "attending a lecture" most often. Housewives also said "attending a lecture," but teachers and students said "Internetbased education" most often. About the kinds of education that they could join, Seoul residents answered "consumer groups > school parents > public institutions," but Gyeonggi and Chungnam area residents answered "public institutions > consumer groups > school parents." Housewives and students answered "consumer groups" most often, but consultants and private business owners answered "public institutions" most often. We realized that different education methods were necessary for different areas, occupations, and education levels.