GENET-news

15.10.2008

A green revolution for Africa without GE crops?

”We now know,” Namanga Ngongi, a Cameroonian who is AGRA’s director, told me, ”that with the use of high-quality seeds — and please note, I am not talking about genetically modified seeds here — and with a serious effort to rejuvenate African soil, we can absolutely reverse the terrible situation in which so many African smallholders have found themselves for so long. We can do it. I’m sure of that.”

14.10.2008

Drought resistant GM crops ready ’in four years’

Genetically modified crops that are drought resistant will be grown by farmers within four to five years, according to scientists developing the technology. Dr David Dennis, the chief executive of Performance Plants Incorporated in Kingston, Ontario, said varieties of drought-tolerant oilseed rape and maize were already being tested in field trials in the US. He claimed the new varieties can increase yield by 40% when the plants are most water-stressed.

14.10.2008

61% of New Zealand’s farmers reject GE animals

A Colmar Brunton Omnijet survey of over 1000 people, commissioned by the Soil & Health Association of New Zealand and the national animal advocacy organisation SAFE, found that only 27 per cent of New Zealanders, and just 28 per cent of farmers, support genetic engineering (GE) of animals. However six out of ten farmers (61%) who stated an opinion in the survey said they do not support GE of animals, and almost a third of all farmers surveyed (28%) stated they ’don’t know.’

14.10.2008

Israeli scientists can genetically boost the smell of flowers and even implant new scents

A team of researchers claim to have discovered how to not only boost the natural smell of flowers by up to 10 fold but also transfer different scents between plants. The scientists at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have successfully introduced the genes from a rose into a petunia and from a rose into a carnation. [...] Eventually they hope the technology could also be used in yeast so that flowery smells can be added to wine, chocolate and bread.

14.10.2008

Tropical wastelands to cropslands with aluminium-resistant Arabidopsis

”It’s a potential magic bullet, depending on how society decides to use it,” says Larsen. [...] Larsen did his original experiments with Arabadopsis, an easily-manipulated member of the mustard family. He’s now seeking the funding to transform tomatoes, and ultimately a whole range of food crops. [...] Will this new breakthrough finally force the Green movement to recognize the vital potential of biotechnology to both feed poor people and save wildlife habitat?

14.10.2008

U.S. begins to turn its back on GM crops, report claims

The U.S. is turning its back on the controversial GM crops and food it created, it is claimed today. There is widespread distrust of genetically modified produce and a demand for labelling that would allow consumers to decide whether to eat it, according to a report from green campaigners. Research shows that 87 per cent of Americans believe their food should carry a label showing whether it contains GM ingredients.

14.10.2008

New ordinance to control GE crops in Lake County (USA)

Another proposed ordinance that would control the use of genetically engineered – or GE – crops in Lake County will be considered by the Board of Supervisors later this month. [...] The biggest difference between the original Santa Cruz ordinance and what Robey is proposing is a provision he’s included that allows the Board of Supervisors to grant exceptions to the prohibition against GE crops.

13.10.2008

Moves for GM crops in Australian Capital Territory

The CSIRO is planning to grow genetically modified corn in Canberra in an experiment aimed at increasing resistance to antibiotics and developing a high tolerance to herbicides. Potential risks from the research including cross-pollination with non-GM crops and an increase in allergy or toxins in people have been assessed as negligible. The Office of the Gene Technology Regulator has called for public comment on the proposal, which would see 11 lines of corn grown on an area of up to 750sqm at an unnamed research facility in Canberra.

13.10.2008

Australian researcher announces ”giant step forward” for non-GE peas

Steve Moore, Officer in Charge of the IA Watson Grains Research Centre at Narrabri [...] in September 2008 checking the outstanding new field pea variety Maki. ”With the release of more adaptable high yielding and improved disease resistant varieties, field peas could easily become a 50,000 ha crop in central and northern New South Wales and the southern Queensland cropping zone. Maki [...], the latest release from the region, is a giant step forward for field peas and increases the reliability and performance of the crop in a big way”.

13.10.2008

Switzerland’s green power revolution: Ethicists ponder plants’ rights

Last spring, this small Alpine nation began mandating that geneticists conduct their research without trampling on a plant’s dignity. [Beat Keller, a molecular biologist at the University of Zurich] recently sought government permission to do a field trial of genetically modified wheat that has been bred to resist a fungus. [...] in a written application to the government, he tried to explain why the planned trial wouldn’t ”disturb the vital functions or lifestyle” of the plants. He eventually got the green light. The rule, based on a constitutional amendment, came into being after the Swiss Parliament asked a panel of philosophers, lawyers, geneticists and theologians to establish the meaning of flora’s dignity.

13.10.2008

Western Australian Labor split widens on approach to GM

Assistant Minister for Finance, Craig Emerson, has fired a shot at some of his State Labor counterparts, by calling for a rational, science-based approach to assessing the role of genetically modified crops. [...] In his keynote address at last week’s CropLife Australia 2008 Perspectives Conference, Dr Emerson told members of the crop protection and crop biotechnology industry that there was a new push for dogma and superstition to prevail over fact and reason.

13.10.2008

Paraguayan campesinos fight against GM soy

Campesinos in the department of San Pedro occupied Brazilian-owned farms on Oct. 1 to block the entry of transgenic soy, and began planting other crops such as sesame and yucca on the plots. [...] Cristino Peralta, the San Pedro correspondent of the daily ABC Color, said that the farmers immediately began planting the sesame and yucca after occupying the plantations. ”There was no law enforcement intervention,” he said. ”The group´s leader Florencio Martínez said that the occupation marked the start of the recovery of Paraguayan territorial sovereignty.”

13.10.2008

Why on earth doesn’t Europe have its own BIO?

Why on earth don’t we get the backing from the European Commission to imitate BIO – forcing our divided European bioindustries to unite and speak with one voice – which is the only way to rationalise and acknowledge their inderdependence? Why on Earth do the European Commission, Europe’s bioclusters, Europe’s larger companies, European Investors, European contract research organisations, European patient organisations, spend so few of their marketing euros in Europe and so many dollars at BIO – and in many instances to meet fellow Europeans?

10.10.2008

GE horse vaccine could harm birds

A submission from MAF Biosecurity New Zealand said there was no such thing as ”no risk”.
”The ... studies that need to be carried out on all manner of indigenous New Zealand species ... have simply not been done.” However, a submission from the Conservation Department said there was no reason to oppose the vaccine and that the risk of the virus spreading to native birds was ”very low to nil”. Racing Board chief executive Graeme Hansen said any delay in introducing a vaccine after a flu outbreak would harm the industry and could cost it $219 million in the first three months. ”We need to be able to act immediately.”

10.10.2008

Whangarei (New Zealand) Mayor backs ban on GMOs

Whangarei Mayor Stan Semenoff has strongly endorsed calls for the Northland and Auckland Regional Councils to ban field trialing or release of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) until all issues surrounding them are resolved. Whangarei District Council’s environment committee today unanimously supported an inter-council working party recommendation to prohibit GMO trialing and release until liability, economic costs and benefits, environmental risks and cultural/community concerns were satisfied.

10.10.2008

Far North District Council (New Zealand) joins regional survey on GMOs

The Far North District Council will take part in regional consultation to find out what people think about the outdoor use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in Northland. [...] Far North Mayor Wayne Brown says there are too many unanswered questions regarding the use of GMOs and their release into the environment and the Government needs to take a lead role rather than leaving the burden with local authorities. ”We’ve got enough to think about attending to our core business like roads, water, sewerage and waste,” he said. ”We are not prepared to accept liability for GMO use and commit our ratepayers to accept financial responsibility for cleaning up environmental damage and compensating for economic loss that could result from their use.

10.10.2008

AgResearch health focus in GM pharma work

AgResearch scientists are working with commercial drug companies to develop genetically modified medicines, considering breast cancer drug Hercepton, Interferon, which slows the onset of multiple sclerosis, and human lactoferrin. The company’s applied biotechnologies manager, Jimmy Suttie, said AgResearch had been involved in genetic modification (GM) technology for eight years and viewed biopharming, or the production of pharmaceutical proteins in milk, as a suitable application given widely-used drugs were coming off patent in the next three years.

10.10.2008

Hawai’i County (USA) bans genetic modification of taro, coffee

The Hawai’i County Council has voted unanimously to ban the genetic modification of taro and coffee. The council on Wednesday voted 9-0 in favor of a bill making it illegal to ”test, propagate, cultivate, raise, plant, grow, introduce or release” genetically engineered taro and coffee. About 70 residents testified on the bill in Hilo, while about 30 spoke via teleconference from council offices in Waimea and Kona. A vast majority spoke in favor of the ban. The council has already passed a resolution asking state lawmakers to prohibit genetically modified taro and coffee. But two separate measures that would have done so failed in the Legislature this year.

10.10.2008

New GM regulations give greater assurances in New Zealand

New regulations for the conditional release of genetically-modified organisms (GMOs) will provide greater assurance for industry and the public in regard to traceability and segregation, Environment Minister Trevor Mallard announced today. ”The regulations, gazetted today and effective from 7 November 2008 (28 days after gazettal), tighten up the regime around the ability to segregate and trace conditionally released GMOs,” Trevor Mallard said. ”The changes are the result of the cooperation agreement with the Green Party.

10.10.2008

Food Authority critic calls for regained control of regulation in New Zealand

The Sustainability Council is calling for New Zealand to regain control of its food safety regulation, by renegotiating a trans-Tasman agreement on food standards. The council says the national regulator, the Food Safety Authority (NZFSA), last year shopped for a more palatable assessment of the safety of a genetically-engineered maize after it received an unfavourable evaluation from state science company, Environmental Science and Research (ESR). ”New Zealand can, in theory, go its own way and decline approval for a particular new food,” said the council’s executive director, Simon Terry.

09.10.2008

Pharming (Netherlands) provides new data on Rhucin drug from GE rabbits

During the presentation of Dr. Pinto, which will be available on Pharming’s website, data will be shown that illustrate the marked progress made over the last few months in the development of its late stage product, Rhucin®. In particular, much focus was given on the analysis of patients receiving repeat treatments of Rhucin® and patients suffering from severe attacks which were of concern to regulatory authorities earlier this year.

09.10.2008

Dolly designer moves beyond cloning

South Koreans have touted their sophistication in cloning technology, but it remains to be seen whether recent innovations in science would render their skills irrelevant. Ian Wilmut, the Scottish gene scientist who created Dolly the sheep, the world’s first cloned mammal, made headlines last year when he declared he was abandoning cloning and switching to a new method that involves genetically modifying adult cells to behave like stem cells. The alternative technology, pioneered by the likes of Kyoto University scientist Shinya Yamanaka, has allowed researchers to create stem cells from fragments of skin, thus removing the need to use human embryos.

09.10.2008

International civil society organisations write to Kenyan President over GM crops bill

International Civil Societies have appealed to President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga to oppose the adoption of the Bio-Safety Bill 2008. In an open letter, the 53 organisations cautioned the Bill would expose Kenyans to Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs). They said the Bill did not abide by the precautionary principles, relied on experience in other countries, had flawed regulatory structure and lacked public participation.

09.10.2008

Zambia’s molecular biology lab ’ fully functioning’ at last

Zambia’s first molecular biology laboratory is fully up and running, following three years of equipment delays and staff shortages. The National Biotechnology Laboratory, run by the National Institute for Scientific and Industrial Research (NISIR), was originally intended to be operational in December 2006 (see Zambia builds high-tech lab to detect GM food). But it only began functioning fully this year - despite officially opening on 27 April 2007, says NISIR research and development manager Ray Handema.

09.10.2008

Europeans reject animal cloning for food: survey

Most Europeans have reservations about cloning animals for food, while 67 percent see cloning as justified if used to preserve rare animal species, a survey that could help forge EU policy in the area showed on Thursday. The Eurobarometer poll said 84 percent of Europeans feel the long-term effects of cloning are unknown, 58 percent see animal cloning for food production as unjustified, and 28 percent would accept animal cloning for food production in some circumstances.

09.10.2008

Hawai’i County (USA) bans genetic modification of taro, coffee

The Hawai’i County Council has voted unanimously to ban the genetic modification of taro and coffee. The council on Wednesday voted 9-0 in favor of a bill making it illegal to ”test, propagate, cultivate, raise, plant, grow, introduce or release” genetically engineered taro and coffee. About 70 residents testified on the bill in Hilo, while about 30 spoke via teleconference from council offices in Waimea and Kona. A vast majority spoke in favor of the ban. The council has already passed a resolution asking state lawmakers to prohibit genetically modified taro and coffee. But two separate measures that would have done so failed in the Legislature this year.

08.10.2008

Bayer Innovation and Kentucky Bioprocessing cooperate to develop drugs from GE pharma tobacco

Bayer Innovation GmbH and Kentucky Bioprocessing, LLC (KBP) are collaborating to develop a facility at KBP’s Owensboro plant in the US state of Kentucky for the production service of biopharmaceuticals. Based on Bayer’s proprietary magnICON® technology, plant made pharmaceutical proteins and other high-value products will be produced in tobacco plants on commercial scale.

08.10.2008

U.S. Department of Agriculture seeks public comment on proposed GE plant rule

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) proposes to revise existing regulations regarding the importation, interstate movement and environmental release of certain genetically engineered (GE) organisms under the Plant Protection Act (PPA) of 2000. These proposed revisions to the regulations are in response to emerging trends in biotechnology. New regulations will address the current and future needs of the agency and provide a high level of environmental protection.
 
”This is the most comprehensive review and revision of our biotechnology regulations since they were first developed in 1987,” said Cindy Smith, administrator of APHIS.

08.10.2008

New German safety research projects on GM crops

From 2008 to 2011 the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research will once again be funding a large number of biosafety research projects. The funding amounts to around eight million euros. The main focus of the 23 projects is to develop methods to prevent a spread of genetically modified plants. Another focus of the projects is further research into the environmental impacts of genetically modified Bt maize. Limiting the dispersal ability of transgenic plants using biological systems is a focus of the funded programmes.

08.10.2008

Farming going down ’the wrong path’ on biotechnology says Monsanto

Speaking at the Farmers Guardian sponsored debate at the Healthy Foods European Summit in London this week, David Stark, vice president of Monsanto’s consumer traits division urged the industry to accept new technologies. 
He said he was ’outraged’ that 860 million people in the world go hungry when agriculture had the tools and the potential to rapidly boost food production. He said: ”In the next 50 years we have to produce as much food as we have produced in the history of mankind – how are we going to do that?

08.10.2008

Argentine beekeepers and biodiversity suffer from GE soy boom

Beekeepers had it easy when cattle roamed freely across the flower-filled meadows of Argentina’s Pampas plains. But a boom in soy farming has changed all that. [...] ”Soy, the soy-takeover as we call it, is the biggest problem but actually any crop that is planted uniformly across large areas with the use of herbicides deprives bees of the flowers they need,” said Alicia Basilio from the University of Buenos Aires’ School of Agronomy. ”The biodiversity that’s essential for bees is in decline due to the advance of this crop,” she said, sitting before the half-dozen white beehives that make up the university apiary.

08.10.2008

Ecuador declared free of GE crops by new constitution

Jaguars, spectacled bears, brown-headed spider monkeys, and plate-billed mountain toucans may all just breathe a little easier next week if Ecuadorians approve a new constitution in a referendum on Sunday that would grant these threatened animals’ habitats with inalienable rights. The new constitution gives nature the ”right to exist, persist, maintain and regenerate its vital cycles, structure, functions and its processes in evolution” and mandates that the government take ”precaution and restriction measures in all the activities that can lead to the extinction of species, the destruction of the ecosystems or the permanent alteration of the natural cycles.”

07.10.2008

Charles: ’I blame GM crops for farmers’ suicides’

GM crop failures have helped to cause a ”truly appalling and tragic” number of suicides among poor farmers in India, Prince Charles has alleged in his most outspoken attack on the technology to date. He called cultivating the modified crops ”a global moral question” and ”a wrong turning on the route to feeding the world”. He associated the technology with ”commerce without morality” and ”science without humanity”.

07.10.2008

UK certifier launches new sourcing standards for non-GE soy

UK food manufacturers can now source soy that is certified as Non-GM and Responsibly Produced, as two new standards have been developed in response to retailer demands. PAI Group, the certifier behind the new standards, has previously assessed soy for use in animal feed for its genetically-modified origins. This has allowed for processors of meat products to make declarations like ’from animals not fed on GMOs’ on the labels.

07.10.2008

The war over GM is back. Is the truth any clearer?

Last week’s big food story was one of haves and have nots. The haves include Tesco, which announced half-year profits of £1.5bn on the back of rising global food prices and booming sales of organics. The shelves are full and business is brisk. The have nots were the benighted populations of Ethiopia and Somalia in the Horn of Africa, which, the UN warns, is heading into the worst famine in generations. The one thing these two stories share is a negative: British supermarkets and large slabs of Africa are both entirely free of genetically modified foods.

07.10.2008

Lord Drayson takes science brief in UK government

The UK has a new science minister - the third in two years. Lord Drayson takes up the post in the recently created Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills. It is a quick return to government for the multi-millionaire businessman who quit a position in defence in 2007 to pursue his interests in motor racing.

07.10.2008

UK consumers have unanswered questions on GM

GD has closely monitored consumer attitudes to GM food, alongside many other issues, over the last ten years. The latest research involved IGD talking to 7,000 shoppers during spring and early autumn 2008. The research shows that opinions have changed very little since the issue reached mass public attention almost a decade ago, and did not change much over the summer, despite the further increased media profile caused by rising food prices. The majority of people (54%) remain undecided, saying that they either do not know enough about GM or that they neither oppose or support GM foods

07.10.2008

US hopeful of agreement over GM crops - US Ambassador to EU

U.S. hopes to come to an agreement with the European Union over genetically modified crops, without the need to involve the World Trade Organization, the U.S. ambassador to the European Union said Tuesday. In an interview with Dow Jones, U.S. Ambassador Kristen Silverberg said the US ”continue to try to resolve” a dispute between the U.S. and the E.U. over Europe’s rules on genetically modified organisms without filing a complaint at the WTO and that there were ”ongoing conversations.”

06.10.2008

GM plants detect landmines and turn red - Field tests in South Africa

Genetically-modified plants that turn red when they grow in the presence of some explosives are being trailed for their effectiveness to detect landmines in South Africa. [...] Aresa says that if the plants make it successfully through trials and do end up being used in the field, they will be partly sterile to prevent them from breeding. The company added that planting them might involve remote controlled vehicles to clear foliage from sites that are potentially contaminated with landmines and a device called a ’hydroseeder’ that sows the seeds with a high-pressure water jet.

06.10.2008

Draft Turkish GMO law presented

A draft law on biosecurity is expected to open the door for genetic agriculture as well as trade and consumption of genetically modified organisms, or GMOs. But experts say the long-awaited draft is not in line with European Union standards and it was not discussed enough before being submitted to the Prime Ministry. [...] The draft was prepared with collaboration from universities, professional organizations and companies

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