Genetically modified soybean

Agenetically modified soybeanis asoybean(Glycine max) that has hadDNAintroduced into it usinggenetic engineeringtechniques.In 1996, the first genetically modified soybean was introduced to the U.S. byMonsanto. In 2014, 90.7 million hectares of GM soybeans were planted worldwide, making up 82% of the total soybeans cultivation area.
Thegeneticmakeup of a soybean gives it a wide variety of uses, thus keeping it in high demand. First, manufacturers only wanted to use transgenics to be able to grow more soybeans at a minimal cost to meet this demand, and to fix any problems in the growing process, but they eventually found they could modify the soybean to contain healthier components, or even focus on one aspect of the soybean to produce in larger quantities. These phases became known as the first and second generation of genetically modified (GM) foods. As Peter Celec describes, "benefits of the first generation of GM foods were oriented towards the production process and companies, the second generation of GM foods offers, on contrary, various advantages and added value for the consumer", including "improvednutritionalcomposition or eventherapeuticeffects."
Roundup Readysoybeans (The first variety was also known as GTS 40-3-2 (OECD UI: MON-04032-6)) are a series ofgenetically engineeredvarieties ofglyphosate-resistant soybeans produced byMonsanto.
Glyphosate kills plants by interfering with the synthesis of theessential amino acidsphenylalanine,tyrosineandtryptophan. These amino acids are called "essential" because animals cannot make them; only plants andmicro-organismscan make them and animals obtain them by eating plants.
Plants and microorganisms make these amino acids with anenzymethat only plants and lower organisms have, called5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase(EPSPS).EPSPS is not present in animals, which instead obtain aromatic amino acids from their diet.
Roundup Ready Soybeans express a version of EPSPS from the CP4 strain of the bacteriaAgrobacterium tumefaciens, expression of which is regulated by an enhanced 35S promoter (E35S) fromcauliflower mosaic virus(CaMV), achloroplasttransitpeptide(CTP4) coding sequence fromPetunia hybrida, and a nopaline synthase (nos 3') transcriptional termination element fromAgrobacterium tumefaciens.The plasmid with EPSPS and the other genetic elements mentioned above was inserted into soybeangermplasmwith agene gunby scientists at Monsanto andAsgrow.The patent on the first generation of Roundup Ready soybeans expired in March 2015.
First approved commercially in theUnited Statesduring 1994, GTS 40-3-2 was subsequently introduced toCanadain 1995,JapanandArgentinain 1996,Uruguayin 1997,MexicoandBrazilin 1998, andSouth Africain 2001. GMO Soybean is also approved by theUnited Nationsin 1999.
The Chinese Ministry of Agriculture announced on April 29, 2022, the approval of the drought-tolerant event, calledHB4.
GTS 40-3-2 can be detected using bothnucleic acidandprotein analysismethods.
Following expiration of Monsanto's patent on the first variety of glyphosate-resistant Roundup Ready soybeans, development began on glyphosate-resistant generic soybeans. The first variety, developed at theUniversity of ArkansasDivision of Agriculture, came to the market in 2015. With a slightly lower yield than newer Monsanto varieties, it costs about 1/2 as much, andseedscan be saved for subsequent years. According to its innovator, it is adapted to conditions in Arkansas. Several other varieties are being bred by crossing the original variety of Roundup Ready soybeans with other soybean varieties.
HB4 soybean, whose technical name is IND-ØØ41Ø-5 soybean, is a variety produced throughgenetic engineeringto respond efficiently todroughtconditions.
The HB4 soybean was created to more efficiently tolerateabiotic stresssuch as drought or hypersaline conditions. These characteristics result in increased yield compared to unmodified varieties. In 2015, HB4 soybean was approved inArgentina, then inBrazil(May 2019), the United States (August 2019),Paraguay(2019),Canada(2021)and thePeople's Republic of China(2022).
Monsantodeveloped a glyphosate-resistant soybean that also expresses Cry1Ac protein fromBacillus thuringiensisand theglyphosate-resistance gene, which completed the Brazilian regulatory process in 2010. This is a cross of two events, MON87701 x MON89788.
Soybean has been genetically modified to improve the quality ofsoy oil. Soy oil has afatty acidprofile that makes it susceptible tooxidation, which makes itrancid, which limits its usefulness in the food industry.Genetic modifications increased the amount ofoleic acidandstearic acidand decreased the amount oflinolenic acid.By silencing, or knocking out, the delta 9 and delta 12desaturases.DuPont Pioneercreated a high oleic fatty acid soybean with levels of oleic acid greater than 80%, and started marketing it in 2010.
The regulation of genetic engineering concerns the approaches taken by governments to assess and manage the risks associated with the development and release of genetically modified crops. There are differences in the regulation of GM crops between countries, with some of the most marked differences occurring between the US and Europe. In the US, theAmerican Soybean Association(ASA) is generally in favor of allowing new GM soy varieties. The ASA especially supports separate regulation oftransgenicsand all other techniques.Soy beans are allowed aMaximum Residue Limitofglyphosateof 20 milligrams per kilogram (9.1 mg/lb)for international trade.Regulation varies in a given country depending on the intended use of the products of the genetic engineering. For example, a crop not intended for food use is generally not reviewed by authorities responsible forfood safety.Romaniaauthorised GM soy for cultivation and use but then imposed a ban upon entry into the EU in 2007. This resulted in an immediate withdrawal of 70% of the soybean hectares in 2008 and atrade deficitof€117.4m for purchase of replacement products. Farmer sentiment was very much in favour of relegalisation.
There is ascientific consensusthat currently available food derived from GM crops poses no greaterrisktohuman healththan conventional food,but that each GM food needs to be tested on a case-by-case basis before introduction.Nonetheless, members of the public are much less likely than scientists to perceive GM foods as safe.The legal and regulatory status of GM foods varies by country, with some nations banning or restricting them, and others permitting them with widely differing degrees of regulation.
A 2010 study found that in the United States, GM crops also provide a number of environmental benefits.
Critics have objected to GM crops on several grounds, includingecologicalconcerns, andeconomicconcerns raised by the fact that these organisms are subject tointellectual property law. GM crops also are involved in controversies over GM food with respect to whether food produced from GM crops are safe and whether GM crops are needed to address the world's food needs.  See thegenetically modified food controversiesarticle for discussion of issues about GM crops and GM food.  These controversies have led tolitigation,international tradedisputes, andprotests, and to restrictivelegislationin most countries.