In January 2010 we launched GM Crops, the first international peer-reviewed journal of its kind to focus exclusively on genetically modified crops.
This is an excellent time for the journal because of the increasing focus on GM crops and improved agronomic traits. Genetic engineering techniques and applications have developed rapidly since the introduction of the first genetically modified plants in the 1980s. There has been a rapid increase in GM crop research and development (R&D) by academia, government and industry around the world. GM crops are useful to consumers, farmers and the environment and are growing in popularity worldwide.
GM crops are needed to tackle the food needs of a growing population. Crops with improved agronomic characteristics can provide protection against many of the biotic stresses caused by weeds, pests and diseases currently experienced in developing countries. Also, GM crop R&D is focused on the development of more complex traits, such as drought resistance and the development of foods with enhanced nutritional value which may provide a low-cost way of dealing with widespread malnutrition problems.
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Because GM crops can address key challenges in the food and agricultural sector, it is expected that the number of GM crops ready for commercial release in many countries will expand considerably over the next few years. Genetic modification is a tool integrated into a wider research agenda, where public and private science can balance each other. Scientists in both the public and private sectors regard the GM process as a major new set of tools to improve crop traits, while industry regards it as an opportunity for increased profits. Genetically modified crop varieties allegedly provide farmers with various agronomic benefits, but serious environmental, health and ethical concerns also are being raised.
All of these issues are addressed in GM Crops, through original research, timely reviews and commentaries. We will consider manuscripts that explore the following topics related to transgenic plants:
BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
- Biofuels
- Data from field trials
- Development of transformation technology
- Disease resistance
- Elimination of pollutants (Bioremediation)
- Gene silencing mechanisms
- Herbicide resistance
- Molecular farming
- Pest resistance
- Plant reproduction (e.g., male sterility, hybrid breeding, apomixis)
- Plants with altered composition
- Tolerance to abiotic stress
- Transgenesis in agriculture
ECONOMIC, POLITICAL AND SOCIAL ISSUES
- Commercialization
- Consumer attitudes
- International bodies
- National and local government policies
- Public perception, intellectual property, education, (bio)ethical issues
- Regulation, environmental impact and containment
- Socio-economic impact
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It is a challenging time for those working in the field of genetically modified crops. With GM Crops, we aim to provide a new forum for meaningful communication between scientists and policy-makers. GM Crops publishes relevant and high-impact original research with a special focus on novelty-driven studies with the potential for application. In addition to experimental research, GM Crops will include reviews and discussion about scientific and technological issues; technological and agronomic considerations; GM issues and their effects on the public; governmental regulations; the politics and polemics of GM crops and GM economics and commerce. The journal is of interest to scientists, breeders and policy-makers as well as to a wider community of readers interested in agriculture, medicine, biotechnology, investment and technology transfer. |
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A genetically modified organism is generally defined as an organism that was genetically altered or is produced or derived from a genetically modified or has inherited particular traits from another organism using a special set of technologies. Such organisms include animals, plants or bacteria. Recombinant DNA technology is the technology of transferring selected genes to the desired organisms. Thus, a "genetically modified", "genetically engineered" or "transgenic" GM organism includes vaccines, fibers and crops. The "limiting factor" is locating genes of the interest. These genes include insect resistance, nematode resistance, fungi resistance, virus resistance, herbicide resistance or a desired nutrient. However, the high rate of technology development through genome sequencing for hundreds of organisms has generated numerous amounts of data to be analyzed, understood and, ultimately, to be used.
According to The International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA) 252 million acres of transgenic crops were planted in 22 countries by 10.3 million farmers in 2006. In 2007 the growth rate showed a 12% increase or 30 million acres and the number of countries increased to 23. The use of biotech crops has delivered substantial economic and environmental benefits to million of farmers in developing and industrial nations. In developing countries, millions of poor farmers have benefited from social and humanitarian benefits that contributed to the alleviation of their poverty.
The majority of developed GM crops were herbicide- and insect-resistant soybeans, corn, cotton, canola and alfalfa. Other commercially grown genetically modified crops include sweet potato resistant to virus, rice with increased iron to alleviate chronic malnutrition in Asian countries, and bananas that produce human vaccines against infectious disease. The list also includes crops that are able to survive weather extremes and fruit trees that yield years earlier.
The application of new technologies offers both benefits and risks (known and unknown). The debate focused on GM crops concerns human and environmental safety, labeling, consumer choice, intellectual property rights, poverty and environmental conservation.
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