Homework #1 - Idea: Musa paradisiaca variety resistant to desiccation 🍌🧬

1. First, describe a biological engineering application or tool you want to develop and why.

The idea proposed is the development of a variety of bananas (Musa paradisiaca), resistant to water stress caused by drought processes, through the implementation of genetic engineering techniques and agricultural breeding techniques, such as CRISPR-Cas9 or Agrobacterium tumefaciens (Gelvin S., 2003). By introducing genes that facilitate greater adaptation to these conditions, such as the genes of Arabidopsis thaliana, specifically the DRE1A genes complex that encode the dehydration-responsive element-binding proteins. This set of proteins functions as a transcription factor that regulates and enhances the response to desiccation (Jia et al., 2016).

The justification behind this idea lies in the fact that my country, Ecuador is known for being one of the main banana exporting countries, being this a key element within its economy. However, in recent years it has been affected by problems associated with the lack of rainfall throughout the year, the most severe year being 2024 when millions of dollars in losses were recorded and the country was subject to energy regulations as never seen before.

1. Next, describe one or more governance/policy goals related to ensuring that this application or tool contributes to an "ethical" future, like ensuring non-malfeasance (preventing harm). Break big goals down into two or more specific sub-goals.

General objective:

Ensure that the implementation of genetic modifications in this variety meets with protection and safety terms, for ecosystems and human lives

• Specific objectives

General objective: Ensure that the introduction of a new species into the agricultural market does not lead to problems of inequality, but rather fosters equity and economic development of the country.

• Specific objectives

1. Next, describe at least three different potential governance "actions" by considering the four aspects below (Purpose, Design, Assumptions, Risks of Failure & “Success”).

• I. Development of a regulatory and normative framework: to facilitate the implementation of GMOs in crops such as banana plants in the country.
• II. Implementation of a monitoring and regulation system: to control the containment of these new varieties during their development before their release.
• iii. Implementation of a system of incentives and training for producers

1. Next, score (from 1-3 with, 1 as the best, or n/a) each of your governance actions against your rubric of policy goals.

1. Last, drawing upon this scoring, describe which governance option, or combination of options, you would prioritize, and why. Outline any trade-offs you considered as well as assumptions and uncertainties.

   Based on the above, the following actions would be prioritized:

   • Development of a policy and regulatory framework along with the monitoring system. These actions receive the highest priority since the regulatory framework and monitoring system are essential to ensure that the project is implemented safely and legally. Without compromising other elements such as the environment, people, and the economy. It is the basis for a project of this nature to be carried out without affecting nature and biosafety. In addition, without a well-founded legal basis, it is not possible to proceed with other actions.
   • Implementation of a system of incentives and training for producers. Although this action is vital to achieve an effective and rapid adoption of banana varieties, its impact depends on the two previous actions to be truly effective and to be implemented. It is essential to ensure that farmers feel supported and included, but it needs a proper regulatory framework to ensure that these banana varieties are used responsibly and safely. This of course, without leaving aside the possible consequences on the economy and stratification of the agricultural sector that a bad implementation of this action could imply.

References

Gelvin S. B. (2003). Agrobacterium-mediated plant transformation: the biology behind the "gene-jockeying" tool. Microbiology and molecular biology reviews : MMBR, 67(1), 16–37. https://doi.org/10.1128/MMBR.67.1.16-37.2003

Jia, X. X., Li, Y. T., Qi, E. F., Ma, S., Hu, X. Y., Wen, G. H., … Wang, W. T. (2016). Overexpression of the Arabidopsis DREB1A gene enhances potato drought-resistance. Russian Journal of Plant Physiology, 63(4), 523–531. doi:10.1134/s1021443716040063