2005 Annual Report 4d.Progress report. This report documents research conducted under a Specific Cooperative Agreement between ARS and the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Additional details of research can be found in the report for the associated in-house CRIS 5320-21000-010-00D, Genomic and Biotechnological Approaches for Evaluating and Improving Tropical Crops. Assessment of the potential for gene flow from agricultural crops to native plant relatives in the Hawaiian Islands: Hawaii has become home to more than 1,000 native flowering plant species, of which over 90% are found nowhere else in the world. Many of these plants are threatened by extinction. Rare species have a high priority in conservation programs because of their vulnerability to extinction by natural processes and human disturbances. Concern has been voiced that gene flow and hybridization between genetically engineered crops and native plant species may increase the risk of extinction of these plants. Of particular concern is that gene flow may occur from agricultural products that have been modified through recombinant-DNA or biotechnological techniques to display traits such as insect or herbicide resistance, and the potential creation of "super plants" which could disperse freely into native ranges. In this study, we considered the conventional crops as well as genetically engineered organisms (GEOs) currently grown in Hawaii. The questions being asked include which agricultural crops are related to the native species, and what is the likelihood that hybridization between them may occur? Once we determined the native species at greatest risk, we used a distribution analysis of agricultural products compared to the native species to determine if pollen dispersal distances may affect hybridization and gene flow. A key point that needs to be made is that gene flow occurs widely in nature. This gene flow is independent of whether transgenes are involved. Pollen from agricultural crops often reaches wild plants growing nearby, and when the wild species are closely related to the crops, hybridization often ensues. It is unlikely for species belonging to different tribes to exhibit cross-compatibility. Consequently, we used tribal boundaries as a limit to the potential for gene flow between species. As a result we found four tribes where an overlap between agricultural crops and native plant species could be seen. The agricultural products which fall into these tribes are sunflowers, cotton, potatoes, and soybeans. With the exception of cotton, which has already been shown to hybridize with the native Hawaiian cotton, it is unlikely for the other agricultural crops to hybridize with any native Hawaiian plant species. These conclusions are based on analysis of distribution, pollen viability, genetic and morphological differences, and the lack of documentation of previous hybridization events. Never-the-less, no research data exists to completely disprove this theory. We suggest that pollination studies be performed to quantify any potential risks. We also suggest that the scope be broadened to include naturalized plant species which may be more closely related to the native species than agricultural products, and could therefore pose a greater hybridization threat. We recommend that the USDA-APHIS isolation distances between transgenic and non-transgenic plant species be modified to include the separation of any agricultural crop from native Hawaiian plant relatives. Finally, we suggest that accurate location information be obtained for the native plant species which would aid in better management practices and the prevention of extinction of many of these plant species. The resulting information would be valuable to the public, to industry, and to legislators when decisions are being made which concern the overlap between genetically engineered crops and the environment in Hawaii. The result would be a better management of the native plant species and a protection of one of Hawaii's great natural assets. Other significant accomplishments: Biotechnology and Agriculture Education Program Website: Due to the rapid expansion of the internet, we believe this is an extremely powerful education tool. As a result we created the Biotechnology and Agriculture Education Program website (http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/gmo/forum.asp). This Web site briefly outlines the process of genetic modification and discusses the pros and cons of using transgenic crops. This year we have had more than 2,500 hits on this site. We continuously update the site with regards to the latest news concerning biotechnology in agriculture, as well as providing information about the developments in the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR). This site may be viewed freely and provides a good introduction into the issues surrounding agricultural biotechnology in Hawaii. Communication with Hawaiian communities: A working relationship with the Royal Order of King Kamehameha I is being actively developed. This interaction arose as a result of the concerns that the Hawaiian community raised over genetic engineering of Kalo. We now regularly meet with the Bioethics Committee of the Order, to discuss issues of concern to them, and to learn from them what the Hawaiian community’s needs and problems are. The relationship is developing well, and is developing into a very effective two-way communication channel. Public Presentations: Biotechnology is becoming increasingly important in everybody's life. People will have to be informed and educated on this subject in order to take more conscious and informed choices. To address this need, a broad spectrum of organizations are frequently provided with presentations, including farmers- associations, the agribusiness sector, governmental and non-governmental institutions, consumers and the general public, the media, policy makers, non-biotechnology academics, and students, including primary school children. Formats of presentations ranged from dinner-speaker invitations, to formal presentations, radio interviews and informal discussions with small groups at interest group meetings. Dealing with this broadly defined audience is the major component of our biotechnology education program. Legislative Presentations / Inputs: Work with State and County regulatory agencies: We have met with all Maui and Kauai County Council members as well as the Mayors, discussing issues in agricultural biotechnology with them. We have also engaged in extensive discussions with the staff of Senator Ed Case regarding biotechnology in Hawaii. Specific attention was given to the potential benefits that biotechnology offers, how we deal with risks associated with this technology and how local issues are addressed by the University of Hawaii. We had an exhibit at the State Capitol: Legislators and the public were able to "see DNA" by extracting it themselves from strawberries. Discussion topics included alternative techniques employed before researchers turn to biotechnology; the regulatory process; and the Hawaiian papaya industry. Participants obtained information about the history of biotechnology, as well as an interactive GMO-debate explaining the "pros" and "cons" of this technology. This is of great importance, as the legislatures are targeted rigorously to introduce extremely restrictive legislation related to agricultural biotechnology. We also have involvement with the Hawai'i Department of Agriculture, Hawaii Department of Health and USDA-APHIS, providing information on biotechnology issues as required, and acting as a liaison between the CTAHR Dean and these organizations. The latter includes commenting on State legislative bills. We have also contributed testimonies at Board hearings. Papaya survey on Kauai: In 2004 concerns were voiced that GM-papaya pollen had contaminated non-GM-papayas on the island of Kauai. Kauai has remained free of papaya ringspot virus (PRSV), and therefore does not require GM-papayas to be grown. PRSV had previously devastated the states other papaya growing areas on Oahu and the Big Island. Due to these concerns the County of Kauai Office of Economic Development and the University of Hawaii at Manoa were interested to see if GM-papayas exist on Kauai. Secondly we were interested to see if GM-papaya pollen had reached the island by some means, with the result that pollen movement had become a problem. Papaya fruit and apical leaves were collected all over the island and tested for the presence of the marker gene for the genetic modification. All the results suggested that there were no GM-papayas present on Kauai and that no GM-papaya pollen had reached the island. The resulting information is valuable to the public, to industry, and to legislators when decisions are being made which concern the coexistence between conventional, organic and biotech crops in Hawaii. Grower / Industry Involvement: Contact and interaction with industry and activists: It is important to maintain a balanced and educated perspective on developments in agricultural biotechnology, in both the commercial sector and among the groups opposed to these developments. We have developed working relationships with Monsanto, Pioneer and HARC, as well as opponent groups such as GMO Free Hawaii on each island. Grower groups with which we work include banana grower associations, papaya growers and coffee growers. Participation in County Fairs: Farms fairs on the islands of Oahu, Maui, Kauai and Hawai'i constitute one of the major social events annually, and are attended by the majority of the local and visiting population. Exhibitions at these events thus reach a significant proportion of the public in these islands. For both farm fairs, we developed an interactive display, using the Biotechnology Education Game and a spectrum of information materials. Activities included DNA isolation by visitors to the display, and building DNA molecules as a learning experience. People were able to compare GM and non-GM products, and assess for themselves the benefits of the technology. Biotechnology education for children: As children are the next generation of leaders, it is important to provide them with appropriate exposure to biotechnology in agriculture. We have conducted biotechnology education with children. Kauai Agricultural Research Center hosted an education day for 5th Graders from schools around the island. The children had the opportunity to attend mini-lectures, as well as view exhibits. We talked to the participants about biotechnology in agriculture. How biotechnology has an influence on their lives, and other issues relating to the Hawaiian Islands. The presentations were interactive, with each student being provided with a copy of the Biotechnology Education Game to take home, as well as a Look Closer at Biotechnology activity book, provided by the Council for Biotechnology Information. Much positive feedback was received, and many people contacted me after this event, for further possible presentations. We also gave presentations to students from varies schools on Oahu, Kauai and Maui. Radio Shows: a) Dr. Ania Wieczorek and Dr. Robert Paull talk about genetic engineering in agricultural crops with relation to biotechnology in Hawaii (12/22/2004).  b) Dr. Ania Wieczorek discusses the risks and benefits associated with genetic engineering, development of biotechnology and biotechnological products and the regulatory system (01/12/2005).