The GMO-testing of local and imported corn seeds

Author: Zurab Kuchukashvili
Co-authors: Kate Khakhviashvili
Keywords: genetically modified organisms; GMO; corn
Annotation:

In Georgia there were no regulation mechanisms to control genetically modified organisms untill 2014 and imported seed were not tested for gen modification. There are varieties of widely spread corn hybrids in Georgia, including imported hybrids. However neither locally produced nor imported corns have been tested for gen modification so far. Taking into consideration the fact that area of GMO crops in is increasing every year and in 2014 it reached 181 million hectares and also gmo corn is on second place among major gmo plants, there is a high risk that currently existed hybrid breeds in Georgia may have genetically modified origins. We selected 3 most popular and widely spread corn seed, produced by Lomtagora. Currently Lomtagora Ltd is only company in Georgia, which produces corn hybrid strains for commercial purposes. In addition we took 3 different samples produced by local farmers and available in open markets of Georgia. We used PCR method to detect genetically modified fragments through identification of the most widely used promotor P35S and the terminator TNOS. The data obtained showed that our 6 sample did not give positive results for GMO markers

Lecture files:

საქართველოში წარმოებული და იმპორტული სიმინდის სათესი მასალის შემოწმება გენმოდიფიცირებაზე [ka]