sample

Slide Materials on Genetically
Modified (GM) Crops

Genetic modification technologies are developing possibilities forcontributing to people’s everyday lives.

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Notes on the Use of This Materialsample

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If there are any comments or inquiries about the contents of this material, please contact the Council
for Biotechnology Information Japan.
https://cbijapan.com/

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Table of Contents
I. Significance

4IV. Usagesample

29

Future Global Challenges Related to Agriculture

5

Global Usage Status

30

Contributions and Potential of Genetically
Modified Crops

6

Usage Status in Japan

33

Evidence Indicating Safety

35

Three Projects in Europe That Reconfirmed
Safety36

Carcinogenicity to Animals That Has Been
Denied37

II. Technology

11

Biotechnology Basics

12

Wild and Cultivated Species

13

History of Agriculture and Breeding

14

Major Conventional Breeding Technologies

15

Differences Between Conventional and Genetic
Recombination Breeding

17

Methods for Producing Genetically ModifiedCrops
New Breeding Technologies

V. Regulatory System

38

International Regulatory Framework

39

Definition of Genetically Modified Organisms

40

18

Regulatory Systems in Japan

41

20

Assessment of Adverse Effects on BiologicalDiversity

43

21

Food Safety Assessment

46

From Development to Practical Application ofGenetically Modified Crops

22

Feed Safety Assessment

48

Herbicide-tolerant Crops

23

Labeling

49

Insect-resistant Crops

24

Regulatory Systems in Other Countries

51

Disease-resistant Crops

25

Drought-tolerant Crops

26

Other Genetically Modified Crops

27

Genetically Modified Crops under Development

28

III. Examples

VI. Acceptance55

Consumer Awareness Survey Conducted by theCouncil for Biotechnology Information Japan

56

Investigation by the Food Safety Commission ofthe Cabinet Office60

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Contributions and Potential of Genetically Modified Crops (1)Stable Supply of FoodContributions of GM crops that have been cultivated to date

Herbicide-tolerant Crops

Disease-resistant Crops

sampleA stabilized harvest and secondary cropping allow:

20%

or more, compared to non-GM crops1• An annual yield growth effect equivalent toagricultural land worldwide2

1.
2.

Flood-resistant Crops

Drought-tolerant Crops

Insect-resistant Crops• An increase in yield ofGM crops under development

23 million ha ofSalt-resistant Crops

Expected to ease the impactof climate change on harvests

Klümper and Qaim (2014) A Meta-Analysis of the Impacts of Genetically Modified Crops. PLoS ONE 9(11).
Graham Brookes (2022) Farm income and production impacts from the use of genetically modified (GM) crop technology 1996-2020
DOI:10.1080/21645698.2022.2105626

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Wild and Cultivated Species
The agricultural products we consume have not always had their current appearances andtastes.
In order to survive in a harsh natural environment, a wild species may possess an uneven growth period, haveseeds covered with a thick seed coat or thorns, or contain harmful components. Since humans began selecting
wild species and farming, selective breeding has been repeatedly performed over a long period of time, resulting in
the creation of cultivated species that are convenient for humans.

sampleKale

Kohlrabi

Cabbage

Cauliflower

Broccoli

Brussels sprouts

Original species of cabbage

Teosinte(Original species of corn)Corn5Flow from Development to Practical Applicationof Genetically Modified Crops
An average of 16.5 years and 115 million dollars are required from the research and development
stage to practical application.1
Identification of traits
A gene is identified that confers thedesired trait.

Transformation
A gene of interest is introduced into
the plants to create GM crops.

sampleField test

Commercialization

Data that is important for making adecision during development.

Greenhouse test
Tests are conducted in a greenhousefrom various perspectives, and an
optimal plant is selected.

Regulatory science
Various assessment tests areconducted in the field and laboratory
to confirm safety.

Established as one
option for farmers.

1.

AgbioInvestor /CropLife International, 2022. Time and Cost to Develop a New GM Trait
Reference https://cbijapan.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Lifecycle-of-a-GMO-Infographic_JPN.pdf

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Global Usage Status (1)Cultivation Status of Genetically Modified Crops (2023)
Cultivation Area of GM Crops (1996-2023)
1 million (ha)Roughly 5.5 times aslarge asthe entire land of Japan

250
206.3
202.2
185.9
195.7
186.6
185.7188.8
178.6
179.6
176.5
170.0
158.0163.5

200

sample143.3

150130.9118.8
109.8
100.2

100

77.6

50

37.9 41.3

48.9

56.1

87.9

66.0

23.7

0

1.7

8.7

Summarized by the Council for Biotechnology Information Japan based on AgbioInvestor GM monitor 「GM and Approval Data(All Data 2024 V3.xlsx) 」

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Consumer Awareness Survey Conducted by the Council for
Biotechnology Information Japan (1)What have you recently been interested in when purchasing food items? (multiple answers allowed)
84.2%

Interest in GM foods at the time of food purchase is
not so high

67.7%
42.9%

33.8% 33.6%

6.7%

0.6%
OthersWhether wild orcultured

No/reduced pesticides

Genetically modifiedfoods

Ingredients

Additives(preservatives,…

sample8.1%

None

15.3% 13.0% 12.7%

Organic

25.8% 25.2% 22.4%
Manufacturer name

Nutritional

components and…

area

Origin/production

imported products

Whether domestic orBest-by date/shelf-life

date/use-by datePrice

100.0%
80.0%
60.0%
40.0%
20.0%
0.0%

(n = 2000)

In addition, please choose what you are most interested in (one item)
60.0%

1.1% of respondents chose GM foods as the mostinteresting characteristic.

52.0%

40.0%
17.7%

4.5%

1.9%

1.1%

0.5%

0.2%
Others0.6%

Whether wild or

0.7%

culturedfoods

Genetically modified

Ingredients

Nutritional components

and their effects

Additives(preservatives,…

1.0%

Organic

5.4%

No/reduced pesticides

5.9%
Origin/production area

Whether domestic or

imported products

Best-by date/shelf-life

date/use-by date

Price

0.0%

8.7%

Manufacturer name20.0%

(n = 1867)

Source：The Council for Biotechnology Information Japan（2021）Consumer Awareness Survey toward geneticallymodified/genome-edited foods（total of 2,000 men and women in their 20s to 50s）https://cbijapan.com/document/4453/

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