PLNT2530 - Unit 10a
Transgene Containment:
Genetic Use Restriction Technologies
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GURTs
• TPS – technology protection system
– Genetic contamination
– Reduction in non-GURT seed
• Gene or multi-gene combinations created to control
access to and dispersion of specific (IP) genes
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• Background
– US patent to USDA-ARS and the Delta and Pine Land
Company-1998
– TPS based on induced seed sterility
– “Terminator” by RAFI and condemned by FAO, CGIAR,
Rockefeller Foundation and others
– Patent -- gene switching control system
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GURTs are designed to provide security for an IP gene(s)
and/or environmental containment
2 Types of GURTs
• V-GURT (“Terminator”)
controls the ability of the plant to regenerate-sterile seeds
• T-GURT (“Traitor”)
controls trait expression
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TUA
TUA
Technology Use Agreement
- a contractual agreement on the use of technology;
a legal mechanism for enforcement of IP rights
Farmers wishing to grow Monsanto's biotech crops will have a
new contract to sign. under the 2001 Technology Agreement,
growers have to sign away rights to legal recourse should the
crop fail to perform.
In the past, farmers have sued Monsanto for millions of dollars
when its biotech crops failed for various reasons, including the
inability to adapt to local conditions. This option is no longer
available.
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GURT tutorial at Colorado State University
http://cls.casa.colostate.edu/TransgenicCrops/terminator.html
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V-GURT - involving 3 genes
Gene 1
Repressor gene
Gene 2
Gene 3
repressor protein
Binding
site
blocker
Recombinase gene
“Toxin” gene
Ge
G ne
e 1
G ne
en 2
e
3
toxin
Vegetative Growth
Seed
Germination
Embryo Development
In maturing seed
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Normal seed development in the absence of the inducer
– seed company farm produces viable seed
Gene 1
Repressor gene
repressor protein
Gene
2
Gene 3
Binding
site
blocker
Recombinase gene
“Toxin” gene
Result - seed can be used to generate more seed
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Seed sold to producers would be pretreated with an inducer
Gene 1
Repressor gene
Inducer
Gene 2
Seed
coat
Gene 3
repressor protein
Binding
site
Recombinase gene
blocker
“Toxin” gene
Kills developing
embryo
Remember: These genes are expressed during
toxin
late embyro development
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Benefits
– Greater IP protection
– Reduced environmental liability
– More potential crops/traits
• Biopharmaceuticals
• Bioplastics
– No volunteers with IP trait in following years
– Minimal or no preharvest sprouting damage in wet year
– Use of V-GURT technology could prevent escape of transgenes
into wild relatives
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Disadvantages
• Exclusivity requirement to a seed company for seed
growers?
• Finding an activator/repressor
• Concentration and restriction of germplasm by
consolidation of seed companies
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GURTs -technology being re-examined
• No field testing of GURTs in Canada currently (CFIA)
• GURTs are GM and will need to go through a significant
CFIA approval process before they can be approved
• Activators/repressors (if chemical in nature) will require
regulatory approval
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