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[SANET-MG] genetic testing of interest to organic farmers



Herbicide resistance by mammalian antibodies modified into plants works,
unfortunately. Monoclonal antibodies were prepared beginning about thirty years
ago.They provided a powerful tool for detecting chemicals and proteins in the
ELISA methods. The antibodies were hoped to be the magic bullet for curing
diseases including cancer. However,  the antibodies used repeatedly on mammals
produced powerful immune response capable of causing death by anaphylaxis.
Spread of antibody genes to food crops or even weeds could create a disaster
among people and animals repeatedly exposed to the modified crops.Noting that
Agriculture Canada is involved it is probable that the secret open field tests
have or will be undertaken in or near urban settings. People may never know
what hit them.

Plant Biotechnology Journal
Volume 2 Issue 3 Page 189  - May 2004

Immunomodulation confers herbicide resistance in plants
Kurt C. Almquist, Yongqing Niu1, Michael D. McLean, Frank L. Mena1, Kerrm Y. F.
Yau1,2, Kirk Brown3, Jim E. Brandle and J. Christopher Hall

 Summary

In order to create a novel mechanism for herbicide resistance in plants, we
expressed a single-chain antibody fragment (scFv) in tobacco with specific
affinity to the auxinic herbicide picloram. Transgenic tobacco plants and
seedlings expressing this scFv against picloram were protected from its effect
in a dose-dependent manner. This is the first successful use of an antibody to
confer in vivo resistance to a low molecular weight xenobiotic (i.e. < 1000
Da). Our results suggest the possibility for a generic antibody-based approach
to create crops resistant to low molecular weight xenobiotics for subsequent
use in the bioremediation of contaminated soils, crop protection and as novel
selectable markers.

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