• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.353-359
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• 2006

Transgenic Nicotiana benthamiana plants harboring the coat protein(CP) gene of Zucchini green mottle mosaic virus(ZGMMV) were chosen as a model host for the environmental risk assessment of genetically modified plants with virus resistance. This study was focused on whether new virus type may arise during serial inoculation of one point CP mutant of ZGMMV on the transgenic plants. In vitro transcripts derived from the non-functional CP mutant were inoculated onto the virus-tolerant and -susceptible transgenic N. benthamiana plants. Any notable viral symptoms that could arise on the inoculated transgenic host plants were not detected, even though the inoculation experiment was repeated a total of ten times. This result suggests that potential risk associated with the CP-expressiing transgenic plants may not be significant. However, cautions must be taken as it does not guarantee environmental safety of these CP-mediated virus-resistant plants, considering the limited number of the transgenic plants tested in this study. Further study at a larger scale is needed to evaluate the environmental risk that might be associated with the CP-mediated virus resistant plant.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.28-37
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• 2018

This study was done to develop environmental risk assessments and a biosafety guide for insect-resistant genetically modified rice at a LMO (Living Modified Organism) isolation field. In the LMO quarantine area of Kyungpook National University, the species diversities and population densities of non-target insects found on insect-resistant genetically modified rice (Bt-9) resistant to Cnaphalocrocis medinalis and on non-GM rices (Dongjin and Ilmi) were investigated. The Bt-9 event was therefore evaluated under field conditions to detect possible impacts on the above ground insects and spiders. The study compared transgenic rice and two non-GM reference rices, Ilmi and Dongjin, at Gunwi in Southern Korea in 2016. Each rice was grown on three $18m^2$ plots with a randomized block design. A total of 4,243 individuals from 43 families and 9 orders were collected from the LMO isolation field. In the three types of rice fields, a total of 1,467 individuals from the insect-resistant genetically modified rice (Bt-9), 1,423 individuals from the Ilmi, and 1,353 individuals from the Dongjin were collected, respectively. There was no difference between the population densities of the non-target insect pests, natural enemies and other insects on the insect-resistant genetically modified rice (Bt-9) and non-GM rices. These results provide the diversity and population density of non-target insects for an environment risk assessment survey on insect-resistant genetically modified rice and could be used as a guideline to make a biosafety assessment method for genetically modified crops.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.445-451
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• 2021

In this study, we described the production of an antibody to living modified organisms (LMOs) containing the gene encoding for 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS) from Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain CP4 EPSPS provides resistance to the herbicide glyphosate (N- (phosphonomethyl) glycine). These LMOs were approved and have recently been used in the feed, food production, and processing industries in South Korea. Highly efficient monoclonal antibody (mAb) production is crucial for developing assays that enable the proper detection and quantification of the CP4 EPSPS protein in LMOs. This study describes the purification and characterization of recombinant CP4 EPSPS protein in E. coli BL21 (DE3) based on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and matrixassisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The production of mAbs was undertaken based on the standard operating procedure of Abclon, Inc.(South Korea), and the purity of the mAbs was assessed using SDS-PAGE. The following five mAb clones were produced: 2F2, 4B9, 6C11, 10A9, and 10G9. To verify the efficiency and specificity of the five developed mAbs, we performed Western blotting analysis using the LM (living modified) cotton crude extracts. All mAbs could detect the CP4 EPSPS protein in the LM cotton traits MON1445 and MON88913 with high specificity, but not in any other LM cottons or non-LM cottons. These data indicate that these five mAbs to CP4 EPSPS could be successfully used for the further development of antibody-based detection methods to target CP4 EPSPS protein in LMOs.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.473-478
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• 2016

With the increasing development and commercial use of genetically modified maize, it is essential to develop an appropriate method for detection of individual LMO (Living modified organism) events for monitoring the samples. In South Korea, commercial planting and accidental or unintentional releases of LMOs into the environment were not approved. In this study, to increase the efficiency of LMO detection, we developed simultaneous detection methods for 11 LM maize events. This multiplex PCR detection method is economical, as it saves time, cost and labor. We developed 11 individual LM maize events, and applied 4 multiplex PCR sets to the LM maize samples. These results are confirmed by applying the multiplex analysis of LMO environmental monitoring from 2012 to 2014, which represents the unintentionally released LM maize samples. The data were correlated with event specific PCR results. Our results indicate that the multiplex PCR method developed is suitable for detection of LM maize in LMO monitoring.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.97-106
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• 2017

Living modified crops are genetically modified living organisms and are widely used in biotechnical research and desired goods. As the reliance on LM products, concerns about safety of LMOs have been continuously increased in South Korea. We established the detection methods for unintentional released LMOs in environmental conditions. To detect six LM event genes of 1 canola, 1 maize and 4 soybeans, PCR conditions were based upon consideration of the Joint Research Centre information. Genomic DNAs were isolated from LM samples and PCR analysis were performed using each event-specific primer pair. Event-specific genes of all events were efficiently recognized by our methods. To investigate the insertion site of LM genes in each genome, we verified PCR product sequence by DNA sequencing. These results suggest that the LM event-specific gene amplification can be efficiently developed. In addition, our detection method is fit for monitoring and post-management of LM crops in the environment.

• The Korean Society of Law and Medicine
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.43-67
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• 2011

Humankind history is faced with one gigantic turning point due to development of Living genetically Modified Organisms. Food production by means of LMO is on the acceleration in an effort to solve the shortage of food problems. Food is also used as alternative energy source. Use of LMO product is not only limited to food and energy, but is actively utilized in various fields of medicines. This paper is first to check out the state of biomedicine developed and associated problems from industries that use LMO, after which we made an attempt on legislative approach to find out means of relief, through examples of such laws legislated for the sufferer from the adverse effect of the biomedicine. As for the liable subject to bear the responsibility for compensatory damage in a way of relieving the victim owing to adverse effect of biomedicine, those who manufactured and sold biomedicine and who are related to the damage to the victim due to the accident and medical doctors and pharmacists who prescribe and administer the medicine in question have been looked into. Accidents involving medicines and medical supplies could take place without reason for imputation on part of the liable subjects or fault of the victim, in which case the victim can't receive damage compensation from any of both parties. When such accidents happened turn out to be no fault accidents, introduction of damage relief measures might have to be reviewed against side effects of medicine and medical supplies as no fault compensation in order for actual relief to be possible. Talking about technicality of legislation, we can suggest a method of strengthening the accountability of manufacturer for stereotypical agenda on biomedicines by newly legislating special regulation with an issue that resists claim on risks associated with the development of medicine and incorporating the same into Manufactured Product Liability Law. After all, when an accident happens associated with biomedicine, the damage will be done to the consumer. And the consumer will be exposed to fatal danger even without the time to cope with potential risks associated with medicine and medical supplies they take. Therefore, it is necessary to protect the potential victim by having the manufacturer of biomedicines bear the liability of medical risks.

• Journal of Marine Bioscience and Biotechnology
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.52-61
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• 2019

Over the past few decades, microalgae-based biotechnology conjugated with innovative CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genetic engineering has been attracted much attention for the cost-effective and eco-friendly value-added compounds production. However, the discharge of reproducible living modified organism (LMO) into environmental condition potentially causes serious problem in aquatic environment, and thus it is essential to assess potential environmental risk for human health. Accordingly, in this study, we monitored discharged genetically modified microalgae (GMM) near the research complex which is located in Daejeon, South Korea. After testing samples obtained from 6 points of near streams, several green-colored microalgal colonies were detected under hygromicin-containing agar plate. By identification of selection marker genes, the GMM was not detected from all the samples. For the lab-scale environmental risk assessment of GMM, acute toxicity test using rotifer Brachionus calcyflorus was performed by feeding GMM. After feeding, there was no significant difference in mortality between WT and transformant Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. According to further analysis of horizontal transfer of green fluorescence protein (GFP)-coding gene after 24 h of incubation in synthetic freshwater, we concluded that the GFP-expressed gene not transferred into predator. However, further risk assessments and construction of standard methods including prolonged toxicity test are required for the accurate ecological risk assessment.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.291-298
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• 2008

Methylmercury, an organic derivative, is the principal form of mercury that biomagnifies and causes neurodegenerative symptoms in animals. In recent years, living modified organism (LMO) resulting from biotechnology has played a highly visible and controversial role. Despite the potential benefits of this technology, public concerns have been raised about the environmental risk of LMO. The concern on the risk from LMO release has urged efforts to evaluate and manage the risks of the LMO. To build up the capacity building of risk assessment method for LMO used environmental remediation, we engineered Solanum nigrum L, expressing the modified bacterial gene, merB, encoding organomercurial lyase. Two independently isolated transgenic lines produced merB RNA. Transgenic Solanum nigrum leaf discs expressing merB gene showed organic mercury resistance, forming shoots well on growth medium containing $0.5{\mu}M$ methylmercury (II) chloride and $1{\mu}M$ phenylmercuric acetate while control plants breached. Transgenic merB seeds germinated and grew on growth medium containing $2{\mu}M$ methylmercury (II) chloride and phenylmercuric acetate. The merB transgenic plants will be used for risk assessment of natural environment.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.827-841
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• 2019

The effect of genetically engineered rice Bt-9 on the diversity and abundance of plant-dwelling insects and spiders was tested under field conditions. Genetically engineered rice Bt-9, expressing mCry1Ac1 from Bacillus thuringiensis, confers resistance to rice leaf roller (Cnaphalocrocis medinalis) and provides tolerance to the herbicide glufosinate (PPT). The study compared Bt-9 and two non-GM reference varieties, Ilmi-byeo and Dongjin-byeo, at LMO isolated fields in Gunwi (Kyungpook National University) and Jeonju (National Institute Agricultural Sciences) in Southern Korea in 2016 - 2017. A total of 40,817 individuals from 62 families and 11 orders were collected from the two living modified organism (LMO) isolated fields. From the three types of rice fields, a total of 13,982, 14,105, and 12,730 individuals from the Bt-9, Ilmi-byeo and Dongjin-byeo were collected, respectively. Throughout the study, the analysis of variance indicated no significant differences (p < 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that the abundance and diversity of plant dwelling insects were similar. The data on insect species population densities were subjected to principal component analysis (PCA), which did not distinguish among the three varieties, Bt-9 and the non-GM, reference cultivars, during the cultivation years. However, the results of the PCA analysis were completely divided into four groups based on the yearly survey areas. Therefore, there was no evidence for a negative impact of Bt-9 on the above-ground insects and spiders.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.875-890
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• 2021

In order to confirm the safety of a genetically modified organism (GMO), we assess its potential toxicity on non-target insects and spiders. In this study, the effects of GM soybean, a type of vitamin-A-enhanced transgenic soybean with tolerance to the herbicide glufosinate, were assessed under a field condition. The study compared this vitamin-A-enhanced transgenic soybean and a non-GM soybean (Gwangan) in a living modified organism (LMO) isolated field of Kyungpook National University (Gunwi) and the National Institute Agricultural Sciences (Jeonju) in the Republic of Korea in 2019 - 2020. In total, 207,760 individual insects and arachnids, representing 81 families and 13 orders, were collected during the study. From the two types of soybean fields, corresponding totals of 105,765 and 101,995 individuals from the vitamin-A-enhanced transgenic soybean and Gwangan samples areas were collected. An analysis of variance indicated no significant differences (p < 0.05). A multivariate analysis showed that the dominance and richness outcomes of plant-dwelling insects were similar. The data on insect species population densities were subjected to a principal component analysis (PCA) and an orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA), which did not distinguish between the two varieties, i.e., the vitamin-A-enhanced transgenic soybean and the non-GM soybean in any cultivated field. However, the results of the PCA analysis could be divided overall into four groups based on the yearly survey areas. Therefore, there was no evidence for the different impact of vitamin A-enhanced transgenic soybean on the above-ground insects and spiders compared to non-GM soybean.