By Christopher Ortler, Checkbiotech (Translation)

Professor Dr. German Spangenberg was raised in Uruguay. He studied in
Germany and performed research in Switzerland. Today he is Research Director
of Primary Industries Research of the state of Victoria, in Australia.
Field study trials with drought resistant wheat will again be carried out
this year in Australia. GMO Safety, an organization supported by the German
Federal Ministry of Education and Research, spoke recently with Professor
Spangenberg about the results of the field trials up to now, the effects of
climate change on world-wide grain production and the necessity of
innovative research in agriculture.

GMO Safety: You have just received the permit for field trails with
genetically modified, drought resistant wheat. What is the purpose of this
study?

German Spangenberg: In the controlled field trails we want to evaluate the
effectiveness of genetically modified wheat strains, each of which contains
one of fifteen different candidate genes for drought resistance. These genes
stem from thale cress (Arabidopsis), corn, yeast and a moss. The genetically
modified wheat varieties will be tested in the Australian state of Victoria
which is generally quite dry and suffers frequent draught. The only water
the plants
receive will be from rain.

GMO Safety: You performed field studies with these drought resistant wheat
strains in 2007. How were the results?

German Spangenberg: Yes, those were the first field trials with drought
resistant wheat varieties in Australia. Twenty-four different genetically
modified wheat varieties were tested. Seven varieties were seen to provide
higher yield in spite of draught stress. Two of these varieties had a 20%
increase in yield compared to the control plants and it appears they do
equally well when watered. These first results were very promising and
encouraged us to examine those varieties more closely. We just recently
prepared the fields for this purpose.

GMO Safety: What future uses do you see for farmers and for the environment?

German Spangenberg: Worldwide about 35-50 % of the wheat production areas
are threatened with drought. The climate model-based predictions for the
effects of climate change show that the amount of land under drought stress
and the severity of the drought will increase. In recent years we have seen
how strongly draught in the wheat production areas of the world,
particularly Australia, can influence the world-wide food situation.
According to the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO),
the wheat production in the eight most important wheat exporting countries,
responsible for almost half of world production, fell in 2006 by 4% and in
2007 by 7%. Large portions of the grain producing areas of Australia are
affected by multiple climatic and environmental factors which reduce yields
and profits in agriculture. In the meantime, the financial effects of
drought are clearly recognizable. As a result thereof, Australia´s gross
domestic product fell in 2002/03 by 1%, or about 3.9 billion Euros. Due to a
catastrophic drought in 2006/07, the state of Victoria lost almost 70% of
its wheat harvest. That translates into a loss of 178 million Euros. It is
therefore absolutely essential that we concern ourselves with new
technologies, including genetically modified plants, so that we can satisfy
the global demand for wheat in the future.

GMO Safety: How does the genetically introduced drought resistance work?

German Spangenberg: The introduced genes code for proteins that enable the
plants to make do with less water. This drought resistance is the result of
specific regulation of gene expression in the plants or due to changes in
the metabolic pathways used by the plants.

GMO Safety: Can drought resistance be introduced into other culturally
important plants?

German Spangenberg: Yes, for the candidate genes that we are looking at now
in wheat, there are also possibilities for use in other crops.

GMO Safety: When and where do you expect the first commercial production of
these plants?

German Spangenberg: Many years of research and development are necessary
before a genetically modified plant variety can be put onto the market.
Comparable studies under field conditions are an important part of the
process. The present studies with modified wheat varieties are in a stage in
which we examine if the general concept is applicable and evaluate the
capabilities of the different candidate genes. The knowledge gained from
these studies will be channelled into the development and testing of new
genetically modified wheat varieties containing the best genes conveying
drought resistance. These will then be developed until ready for placement
on the market. The entire process takes about 5 to 10 years. Coordination of
the steps taken by wheat producing countries like the USA, Canada or
Argentina, particularly in regard to wheat varieties with favourable traits
such as draught or fungus resistance, would be a wise step.

GMO Safety: You studied in Heidelberg and then worked as a junior professor
in Zürich. In 1995 you went to Australia to build up a plant biotechnology
center in Melbourne. Would your research be possible in Europe, where an
antagonistic position in regard to genetically modified plants prevails?

German Spangenberg: It is irrefutable that early entry and investment in a
technology creates a situation in which creativity is encouraged, innovation
is supported, a broad knowledge base is created and infrastructures required
for society to profit from the technology are built up. It is no different
with agricultural technology. However, the danger is high that irrational
thinking leads to a fear of technology in society which manifests itself as
opposition to innovation and new technologies. The result is that technology
with the capability to solve social, economic, and environmental problems is
not used. Considering the challenges that stand before us, a world-wide
growing demand for energy, food and animal feed in the face of a changing
climate, we should really be intelligent enough to allow the great potential
of this technology to present itself and give farmers everywhere the
opportunity to apply it.

GMO Safety: Thank you very much for the discus
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