GENET news: Animal

06.11.2008

Argentine cow clones may help boost milk output

Argentine scientists have found a way to make cows produce more milk by injecting them with a bovine growth hormone produced by cloned and genetically modified dairy cows. Synthetic bovine somatotropin, which is also called rbST, is already injected into cows to boost milk production, but Argentine researchers say their method is cheaper and produces a natural bovine hormone.

06.11.2008

GE Free New Zealand brings GE animal trials to High Court

GE Free New Zealand is mounting a legal challenge to plans by AgResearch to extend transgenic animal research. The Crown Research Institute has applied to the Environmental Risk Management Authority to continue research into cows that have been genetically modified to include human proteins in their milk. [...] GE Free claims the applications lodged with ERMA are too general and do not give information on the risks, costs and benefits of the proposal.

25.10.2008

Genetically engineered animals in the U.S. food supply

”This is a cutting-edge technology that has significant implications, including real benefits, not just for human health, but also for animal health, such as developing disease-resistant animals,” said Dr. Bernadette M. Dunham, director of the FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine. The AVMA responded to the FDA guidance with a statement that noted potential benefits of GE animals while urging stakeholders to keep animal welfare in mind. ”The development and appropriate regulation of this technology has widespread applications in advancing our knowledge of diseases, food safety, environmental conservation, and efficient food and fiber production,” wrote Dr. W. Ron DeHaven, AVMA chief executive officer, in the AVMA response.

16.10.2008

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.’

16.10.2008

Sterile GE insects to be released within the next two years

Scientists are about to unleash a new weapon in mankind’s running battle against insect pests: a genetically modified flying army. The first commercial release of GM insects, to protect US cotton fields from the voracious pink bollworm, is expected within the next two years. [...] And if the terminator gene does inadvertently get into wild mosquitoes, it ”absolutely will not spread”, because any insects carrying it would not survive.

16.10.2008

National Biosafety framework ready for parly approval in Swaziland

THE ministry of tourism, environment and communications is lobbying parliament to adopt a National Biosafety framework that would enable farmers to try out new technology to address the country’s food security and economic challenges. As recommended by former Tourism, Environment and Communications Minister Thandi Shongwe, if approved and adopted by parliament, a National Biosafety law would help the country protect its rich biological diversity.

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.’

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

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.

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.

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