• Korean journal of food and cookery science
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.791-799
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• 2016

Purpose: The objective of this study was to determine the effects of genetically modified (GM) food promotion and education through the blog. Methods: Education program for consumer-oriented GM foods by the blog was developed and survey was performed by the visitors for totals of twelve weeks. The blog was formed by information (definition, mark etc.) offering style and named as "Correct knowing of genetically modified organisms (GMO)." Event was held to enhance the promotion of the blog from the week 9 to week 12. Results: Visitors of the final week increased 4 times, as compared to those of the starting the event week 9. Most of the 138 consumers (94.5%) did not have prior GMO education experience. The 97 consumers aged 20 years old showed significantly the highest ratios in the experience of blog or website (p<0.01). Comparing before and after the blog education, notification on GM foods and willingness to buy GMO products, the benefit of GMO, willingness to check GMO mark when buying GMO products showed positive change of GM foods (p<0.05). Conclusion: Over 80% answered that the blog helped to understand the GM foods. Thus, we conclude using blog is effective way of GM food promotion and education and continuous efforts are needed to maintain an active blog for the consumer's rights of knowledge about GM foods.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.1150-1156
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• 2004

The GMO (Genetically Modified Organism) labeling system on raw materials has been in Korea since March 2001, and genetically modified organisms (GMOs)-derived foods since July 2001. Therefore, we designed a multiplex PCR method to ascertain the validity of the labeling system and to monitor the status of circulation for genetically modified maize (GM Maize). Five lines of GM Maize (GA21, TC1507, Mon810, NK603, and Bt176) were used, and specific primer pairs were designed to detect each line. Using this method, the different lines of GM Maize were monitored from raw products and processed foods in Korean market. Some of the maize processed foods and raw materials were shown to contain more than one foreign gene. This method was found to be effective for-detecting five different GM Maize in a single reaction.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.385-391
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• 2006

In Korea, different kinds of genetically modified (GM) crops are under development, including GM-rice expressing insecticidal crystal (Cry) proteins of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) modified to change a single amino acid. In this study, amino acid (aa) sequences of modified Cry proteins were compared to that of known allergens, and Cry proteins expressed in GM-rice were identified by using Cry protein specific polyclonal antibody. The antigen-antibody reactions were compared between GM and commercial rice to assess the allergic risk of Cry proteins. This analysis showed no known allergen to have more than 35% aa sequence homology with modified Cry proteins in Bt rice over an 80 aa window or to have more than 8 consecutive identical aa. Sera from allergic patients showed some IgE reactivity via immunoblotting and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), although no differences were seen between GM and commercial rice. Based on these results we conclude that GM rice with modified Cry proteins has no differences in its protein composition or allergenicity relative to commercial rice.

• Korean Journal of Human Ecology
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.113-129
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• 2004

This study was pursued to examine the differences in housewives' willingness of buying genetically modified(GM) Food by the basic knowledge and recognition toward GMO. The results could provide a basic information for the consumer education and consumer policy about genetically modified food. The final 723 observations collected using a questionnaire were analysed by frequency, percentage. mean, standard deviation, t-test.$X^2$. ANOVA. and duncan-test using the SPSS/WIN 10.0 programs. The main results were following (1) Consumers' basic knowledge about GMO was too low to understand or interpretate information regarding GM food which was provided or would be provided. So consumers education for very basic biology should be offered for consumer to understand and interpretate various information about GM food is provided. (2) Consumers didn't trust GM food information provided by government. however they wanted government to provide information regarding GM food. (3) The more basic biology knowledge consumer has, the better recognition of GM food and the higher possibility that they eat consumer has.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.69-77
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• 2003

The ornamental industry encompasses cut flower, pot plant, turfgrass and nursery stock production and is an important part of the agricultural sector. As internationally traded commodities, cut flowers and plants are an integral part of the economy of a number of developing countries in South America, the Caribbean and Africa. Genetic modification (GM) is a tool with great potential to the ornamental horticulture industry. The rapid progress in our knowledge of plant molecular biology can accelerate the breeding ornamental plants using recombinant DNA technology techniques. Not only is there the possibility of creating new, novel products the driver of the industry but also the potential to develop varieties requiring less chemical and energy inputs. As an important non-food agricultural sector the use of genetically modified (GM) ornamental crops may also be ideal for the intensive farming necessary to generate pharmaceuticals and other useful products in GM plants. To date, there are only a few ornamental GM products in development and only one, a carnation genetically modified for flower colour, in the marketplace. International Flower Developments, a joint venture between Florigene Ltd. in Australia and Suntory Ltd. of Japan, developed the GM carnations. These flowers are currently on sale in USA, Japan and Australia. The research, development and commercialization of these products are summarized. The long term prospects for ornamental GM products, like food crops, will be determined by the regulatory environment, and the acceptance of GM products in the marketplace. These critical factors will be analysed in the context of the current legislative environment, and likely public and industry opinion towards ornamental genetically modified organisms (GMO's).

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Plant Biotechnology Conference
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• 2003.04a
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• pp.39-48
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• 2003

The ornamental industry encompasses cut flower, pot plant, turfgrass and nursery stock production and is an important part of the agricultural sector. As internationally traded commodities, cut flowers and plants are an integral part of the economy of a number of developing countries in South America, the Caribbean and Africa. Genetic modification (GM) is a tool with great potential to the ornamental horticulture industry. The rapid progress in our knowledge of plant molecular biology can accelerate the breeding ornamental plants using recombinant DNA technology techniques. Not only is there the possibility of creating new, novel products the driver of the industry but also the potential to develop varieties requiring less chemical and energy inputs. As an important non-food agricultural sector the use of genetically modified (GM) ornamental crops may also be ideal for the intensive farming necessary to generate pharmaceuticals and other useful products in GM plants. To date, there are only a few ornamental GM products in development and only one, a carnation genetically modified for flower colour, in the marketplace. International Flower Developments, a joint venture between Florigene Ltd. in Australia and Suntory Ltd.of Japan, developed the GM carnations. These flowers are currently on sale in USA, Japan and Australia. The research, development and commercialisation of these products are summarised. The long term prospects for ornamental GM products, like food crops, will be determined by the regulatory environment, and the acceptance of GM products in the marketplace. These critical factors will be analysed in the context of the current legislative environment, and likely public and industry opinion towards ornamental genetically modified organisms (GMO's).

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.331-343
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• 2011

A survey of consumer awareness and attitudes was conducted about genetically modified (GM) foods and the labeling regulations. The questionnaires were distributed to 4,620 consumers who lived in a variety of areas in Korea, and 4,076 people responded. The consumers were asked about knowledge, labeling information, and the source of obtaining information about GM foods. More than 11.5% of the consumers had never heard about GM foods and 86.9% of consumers had less than a normal level of knowledge about GM foods. No statistically significant relationship was found between genders, but the teachers group had moderate knowledge (p<0.001). In total, 28.4% of consumers did not know the GMO labeling regulations. They answered that the reason to buy GM food was do not know>nothing wrong>create benefit>think as safe>inexpensive. The answers to the question of what was the first benefit were: solve food shortage>functional and nutritious food>cultivate in bad condition>nothing>various cultivars. They answered that the worst factor was the next generation effect>environmental disruption. Regarding the development of GM food in Korea, males answered do not know>stronglyrecommend>defer>strongly suppress. Female answered: don't know>defer>strongly recommend>strongly suppress. More than half of the respondents did not have much information about GM foods; 88.3% of respondents answered they did not have educational experience about GM food.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.694-699
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• 2009

A multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method was developed for the detection of 4 events of genetically modified (GM) soybean. The event-specific primers were designed from 4 events of GM soybean (RRS, A2704-12, DP356043-5, and MON89788). The lectin was used as an endogenous reference gene of soybean in the PCR detection. The primer pair YjLec-4-F/R producing 100 bp amplicon was used to amplify the lectin gene and no amplified product was observed in any of the 9 different plants used as templates. This multiplex PCR method allowed for the detection of event-specific targets in a genomic DNA mixture of up to 1% GM soybean mixture containing RRS, A2704-12, DP356043-5, and MON89788. In this study, 20 soybean products obtained from commercial food markets were analyzed by the multiplex PCR. As a result, 6 samples contained RRS. These results indicate that this multiplex PCR method could be a useful tool for monitoring GM soybean.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.256-261
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• 2001

Allergenicity of genetically-modified (GM) soybean was evaluated in male Sprague Dawley rats. To confirm the GM soybean used in this study, the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed using the chromosomal DNA of soybeans. The PCR result provided the clear discrimination of genetically-modified (GM) soybeans. To evaluate the allergenicity of GM soybean and non-GM control one, the soybean homogenate was sensitized subcutaneously 3 times a week for 3 weeks. The doses of soybean were 0, 2 and 20 mg/kg in the protein basis. A week after the last sensitization, antisera were recovered from individual animals. When the sera were injected intradermally on the clipped back of unsensitized rats with various dilutions, followed by a challenge with 20 mg/kg of soybean homogenate containing 1% Evans blue, no sign of passive cutaneous anaphylaxis reaction was detected. In addition, when the sera were treated in the cultures of peritoneal mast cells, the increase of histamine release by anti-(GM soybean) sera was not observed when compared to that by anti-(non-GM soybean) sera. The present results indicate that the GM soybean might not act as a strong allergen in male Sprague Dawley rats.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.278-280
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• 2010

This study was aimed to develop a novel qualitative multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for simultaneous detection of genetically modified (GM) soy and maize within a single reaction. The specific primers designed to detect four respective GM events (A2704-12, MON88017, Bt11, and MON863) were included in the tetraplex PCR system. Each of PCR products for four GM events could be distinguished by agarose gel based on their different lengths. The specificity and reproducibility of this multiplex PCR were evaluated. This multiplex PCR consistently amplified only a fragment corresponding to a specific inserted gene in each of the four GM events and also amplified all four of the PCR products in the simulated GM mixture. These results indicate that this multiplex PCR method could be an effective qualitative detection method for screening GM soy and maize in a single reaction.