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Undid revision 657599275 by FriskyBeetle (talk) remove addition of unsourced content per WP:VERIFY and WP:OR
explain how this protects biotech interests; rename advantages to motivation (because the advantages are for one party only); hedge supposed advantages for others, since they come from a whitepaper rather than a study
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{{Redirect|Terminator gene|DNA transcription terminators|Terminator (genetics)}}
{{Redirect|Terminator gene|DNA transcription terminators|Terminator (genetics)}}
{{ref improve|date=January 2014}}
{{ref improve|date=January 2014}}
'''Genetic use restriction technology''' ('''GURT'''), colloquially known as '''terminator technology''' or '''suicide seeds''', is the name given to proposed methods for restricting the use of [[genetically modified food|genetically modified plants]] by causing second generation seeds to be sterile. The technology was developed under a cooperative research and development agreement between the [[Agricultural Research Service]] of
'''Genetic use restriction technology''' ('''GURT'''), colloquially known as '''terminator technology''' or '''suicide seeds''', is the name given to proposed methods for restricting the use of [[genetically modified food|genetically modified plants]] by causing second generation seeds to be sterile. This technology is intended to protect the interests of [[biotechnology]] firms:{{r|ISF}} farmers sowing suicide seeds will have to buy new seeds from the firms for every generation.

the [[United States Department of Agriculture]] and Delta and Pine Land company in the 1990s, but it is not yet commercially available.<ref name="ISF">{{cite web|url=http://www.worldseed.org/cms/medias/file/PositionPapers/OnSustainableAgriculture/Genetic_Use_Restriction_Technologies_20030611_(En).pdf|author=www.worldseed.org, International Seed Federation|title=Genetic Use Restriction Technologies
The technology was developed under a cooperative research and development agreement between the [[Agricultural Research Service]] of the [[United States Department of Agriculture]] and Delta and Pine Land company in the 1990s, but it is not yet commercially available.<ref name="ISF">{{cite web |url=http://www.worldseed.org/cms/medias/file/PositionPapers/OnSustainableAgriculture/Genetic_Use_Restriction_Technologies_20030611_(En).pdf|author=www.worldseed.org, International Seed Federation|title=Genetic Use Restriction Technologies
(Bangalore, June 2003)}} (Position Paper Supporting V-GURT development)</ref>
(Bangalore, June 2003)}} (Position Paper Supporting V-GURT development)</ref>


The technology was discussed during the 8th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations [[Convention on Biological Diversity]] in [[Curitiba]], Brazil, March 20–31, 2006.
The technology was discussed during the 8th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations [[Convention on Biological Diversity]] in [[Curitiba]], [[Brazil]], March 20–31, 2006. Several countries have banned its use.


== Variants ==
== Variants ==
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# T-GURT: A second type of GURT modifies a crop in such a way that the genetic enhancement engineered into the crop does not function until the crop plant is treated with a chemical that is sold by the biotechnology company.<ref name="ISF"/> Farmers can save seeds for use each year. However, they do not get to use the enhanced trait in the crop unless they purchase the activator compound. The technology is restricted at the trait level, hence the term T-GURT.
# T-GURT: A second type of GURT modifies a crop in such a way that the genetic enhancement engineered into the crop does not function until the crop plant is treated with a chemical that is sold by the biotechnology company.<ref name="ISF"/> Farmers can save seeds for use each year. However, they do not get to use the enhanced trait in the crop unless they purchase the activator compound. The technology is restricted at the trait level, hence the term T-GURT.


==Opposition==
==Motivation==
⚫
{{update|date=October 2013}}
⚫
Terminator seeds were initially developed as a concept by the United States Department of Agriculture and multinational seed companies. As of 2006, they had not been commercialized anywhere in the world due to opposition from farmers, [[indigenous peoples]], [[Non-Governmental Organization|NGOs]], and some governments. In 2000, the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity recommended a ''de facto'' [[Moratorium (law)|moratorium]] on field-testing and commercial sale of terminator seeds; the moratorium was re-affirmed and the language strengthened in March 2006, at the COP8 meeting of the UNCBD.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.banterminator.org/Glossary/Moratorium|title=Moratorium|publisher=Ban Terminator|accessdate=12 December 2013}}</ref> [[India]] and [[Brazil]] have passed national laws to prohibit the technology.<ref name="ipsnews.net"/>

==Possible advantages ==
Where effective intellectual monopoly, specifically biological patents, doesn't exist or is not enforced, GURTs could be an alternative to stimulate plant developing activities by [[Biotechnology|biotech]] firms.<ref name="ISF"/>
Where effective intellectual monopoly, specifically biological patents, doesn't exist or is not enforced, GURTs could be an alternative to stimulate plant developing activities by [[Biotechnology|biotech]] firms.<ref name="ISF"/>


Non-viable seeds produced on V-GURT plants may reduce the propagation of [[Volunteer (botany)|volunteer plants.]] Volunteer plants can become an economic problem for larger-scale mechanized farming systems that incorporate [[crop rotation]].<ref name="ISF"/>
Non-viable seeds produced on V-GURT plants may reduce the propagation of [[Volunteer (botany)|volunteer plants.]] Volunteer plants can become an economic problem for larger-scale mechanized farming systems that incorporate [[crop rotation]].<ref name="ISF"/>


Under warm, wet [[harvest]] conditions non V-GURT grain can sprout, which lowers the quality of grain produced. It is likely that this problem would not occur with the use of V-GURT grain varieties.<ref name="ISF"/>
Under warm, wet [[harvest]] conditions non V-GURT grain can sprout, which lowers the quality of grain produced. It has been claimed by proponents that this problem would not occur with the use of V-GURT grain varieties.<ref name="ISF"/>


Use of V-GURT technology could prevent escape of [[transgene]]s into wild relatives and prevent any impact on [[biodiversity]]. Crops modified to produce non-food products could be armed with GURT technology to prevent accidental transmission of these traits into crops destined for foods.<ref name="ISF"/>
Use of V-GURT technology could supposedly prevent escape of [[transgene]]s into wild relatives and prevent any impact on [[biodiversity]]. Crops modified to produce non-food products could be armed with GURT technology to prevent accidental transmission of these traits into crops destined for foods.<ref name="ISF"/>

==Opposition==
⚫
{{update|date=October 2013}}
⚫
Terminator seeds were initially developed as a concept by the United States Department of Agriculture and multinational seed companies. As of 2006, they had not been commercialized anywhere in the world due to opposition from farmers, [[indigenous peoples]], [[Non-Governmental Organization|NGOs]], and some governments. In 2000, the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity recommended a ''de facto'' [[Moratorium (law)|moratorium]] on field-testing and commercial sale of terminator seeds; the moratorium was re-affirmed and the language strengthened in March 2006, at the COP8 meeting of the UNCBD.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.banterminator.org/Glossary/Moratorium|title=Moratorium|publisher=Ban Terminator|accessdate=12 December 2013}}</ref> [[India]] and [[Brazil]] have passed national laws to prohibit the technology.<ref name="ipsnews.net"/>


== See also ==
== See also ==

Revision as of 12:20, 23 April 2015

"Terminator gene" redirects here. For DNA transcription terminators, see Terminator (genetics).

Genetic use restriction technology (GURT), colloquially known as terminator technology or suicide seeds, is the name given to proposed methods for restricting the use of genetically modified plants by causing second generation seeds to be sterile. This technology is intended to protect the interests of biotechnology firms:[1] farmers sowing suicide seeds will have to buy new seeds from the firms for every generation.

The technology was developed under a cooperative research and development agreement between the Agricultural Research Service of the United States Department of Agriculture and Delta and Pine Land company in the 1990s, but it is not yet commercially available.[1]

The technology was discussed during the 8th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity in Curitiba, Brazil, March 20–31, 2006. Several countries have banned its use.

Variants

There are conceptually two types of GURT:[2][3]


  1. Variety-level Genetic Use Restriction Technologies (V-GURTs): This type of GURT produces sterile seeds, so the seed from this crop could not be used as seeds, but only for sale as food or fodder.[1] This would not have an immediate impact on the large number of primarily western farmers who use hybrid seeds, as they do not produce their own planting seeds, and instead buy specialized hybrid seeds from seed production companies. However, currently around 80 percent of farmers in both Brazil and Pakistan grow crops based on saved seeds from previous harvests.[4] Consequentially, resistance to the introduction of GURT technology into developing countries is strong.[4] The technology is restricted at the plant variety level, hence the term V-GURT. Manufacturers of genetically enhanced crops would use this technology to protect their products from unauthorised use.
  2. T-GURT: A second type of GURT modifies a crop in such a way that the genetic enhancement engineered into the crop does not function until the crop plant is treated with a chemical that is sold by the biotechnology company.[1] Farmers can save seeds for use each year. However, they do not get to use the enhanced trait in the crop unless they purchase the activator compound. The technology is restricted at the trait level, hence the term T-GURT.

Motivation

Where effective intellectual monopoly, specifically biological patents, doesn't exist or is not enforced, GURTs could be an alternative to stimulate plant developing activities by biotech firms.[1]

Non-viable seeds produced on V-GURT plants may reduce the propagation of volunteer plants. Volunteer plants can become an economic problem for larger-scale mechanized farming systems that incorporate crop rotation.[1]

Under warm, wet harvest conditions non V-GURT grain can sprout, which lowers the quality of grain produced. It has been claimed by proponents that this problem would not occur with the use of V-GURT grain varieties.[1]

Use of V-GURT technology could supposedly prevent escape of transgenes into wild relatives and prevent any impact on biodiversity. Crops modified to produce non-food products could be armed with GURT technology to prevent accidental transmission of these traits into crops destined for foods.[1]

Opposition

Terminator seeds were initially developed as a concept by the United States Department of Agriculture and multinational seed companies. As of 2006, they had not been commercialized anywhere in the world due to opposition from farmers, indigenous peoples, NGOs, and some governments. In 2000, the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity recommended a de facto moratorium on field-testing and commercial sale of terminator seeds; the moratorium was re-affirmed and the language strengthened in March 2006, at the COP8 meeting of the UNCBD.[5] India and Brazil have passed national laws to prohibit the technology.[4]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h www.worldseed.org, International Seed Federation. "Genetic Use Restriction Technologies (Bangalore, June 2003)" (PDF). {{cite web}}: line feed character in |title= at position 37 (help) (Position Paper Supporting V-GURT development)
  2. ^ Patrick Heffer. Biotechnology: a modern tool for food production improvement in Seed Policy and Programmes for the Central and Eastern European Countries, Commonwealth of Independent States and Other Countries in Transition. FAO Plant Production and Protection Paper 168. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 2001
  3. ^ Jefferson RA et al. Genetic Use Restriction Technologies: Technical Assessment of the Set of New Technologies which Sterilize or Reduce the Agronomic Value of Second Generation Seed, as Exemplified by U.S. Patent No. 5,723,765, and WO 94/03619. Expert paper, prepared for the Secretariat on 30 April 1999
  4. ^ a b c Haider Rizvi, "BIODIVERSITY: Don’t Sell “Suicide Seeds”, Activists Warn", Inter Press Service News Agency, March 21, 2006
  5. ^ "Moratorium". Ban Terminator. Retrieved 12 December 2013.
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