GENET news: Protein

05.11.2008

Monsanto invests in Brazilian sugarcane biofuels development

Monsanto is set to acquire Aly Participacoes Ltda., which operates the Brazilian sugarcane breeding and technology companies, CanaVialis S.A. and Alellyx S.A., it was announced today (3rd November). The deal, worth a reported $290 million, sees the purchase of the company from Votorantim Novos Negocios Ltda and will be completed as soon as practical. Monsanto explained that because the acquisition represents a long-term investment in research and development and breeding, it does not expect the acquisition to contribute to earnings until the middle of the next decade. The company additionally expects a purchase-accounting adjustment for in-process R&D.

05.11.2008

First foreign-funded crop research center opens in China

Swiss biotech company Syngenta has opened the first foreign-funded crop research organization in China. The Syngenta Biotechnology (China) Co Ltd., in the Zhongguancun Life Science Park, would focus on improving yields and drought resistance of crops like corn and soy, as well as conversion to biofuels. ”China is increasingly recognized for the scale and caliber of its biotech expertise in agriculture,” said Wang Xun, president of Syngenta Biotechnology China.

05.11.2008

Government of Pakistan & Monsanto jointly propose new Bt Cotton Technology

Pakistani authorities are in favor of introducing Bt cotton cultivation, but through formal means. Cotton growers in the country have also been persistently demanding the availability of formally approved Bt cotton varieties for improving per hectare yield. For the purpose, Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock has been working on a two pronged strategy. Developing the technology through indigenous capabilities as well as inviting the Multi-national Companies to bring in the technology in the country.

04.11.2008

Indian oilseeds output set to rise 5%

”Genetically modified seeds are the only option left to raise output in India. Engineered seeds have already proved successful across the globe. Therefore, India should also start using GM seeds for higher yield and reduce reliance on imports,” says Dorab Mistry, Director of Godrej International.

04.11.2008

The GM genocide: Thousands of Indian farmers are committing suicide after using genetically modified crops

Shankara’s crop had failed - twice. Of course, famine and pestilence are part of India’s ancient story. But the death of this respected farmer has been blamed on something far more modern and sinister: genetically modified crops. Shankara, like millions of other Indian farmers, had been promised previously unheard of harvests and income if he switched from farming with traditional seeds to planting GM seeds instead.

03.11.2008

Strong support for rally against GM crops in Western Australia surprises backers

A RALLY against the introduction of genetically modified crops drew nearly 1000 people to the steps of the WA Parliament today, organisers have claimed. Farmers attending brought along goats, chickens and even a prize-winning bull, the Conservation Council of WA said.
It said their message was that GM crops not only risked WA’s reputation as a clean, green state but might also have consequences for human health.

31.10.2008

Zimbabwe to screen seed imports on GMOs

The Ministry of Agriculture will inspect seed and fertilizers coming into the country to detect genetically-modified organisms, a Cabinet minister said yesterday. The ministry recently announced that it would start issuing out temporal licences to individuals willing to import agricultural inputs such as maize seed and fertilizers. Agriculture Minister Mr Rugare Gumbo said there was a high possibility of modified seed coming into the country.

31.10.2008

Maize contaminated with transgenics in Chile

The Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology (INTA) at the University of Chile has detected genetically modified organisms in four samples of conventional maize grown near fields where transgenic maize seeds are being produced for export. ”These results are extremely serious. The question is, who will take responsibility? Who will pay for this contamination?” María Isabel Manzur of the non-governmental Sustainable Societies Foundation (FSS), which along with the Sustainable Chile Programme contracted INTA to analyse 30 maize samples, told IPS.

29.10.2008

Nebraska Univeristy (USA) may have role in convincing EU to embrace GE crops

Europeans may be on the verge of reassessing their long-held resistance to genetically modified crops, and Nebraska could play a role in that shift, a University of Nebraska-Lincoln plant geneticist said. Sally MacKenzie, who directs UNL’s Center for Plant Science Innovation, recently returned from trip to Brussels, Belgium, as part of a delegation led by Gov. Dave Heineman. The trip came at the invitation of Neil Parish, chairman of the European Union’s agriculture committee, who visited Nebraska last spring.

27.10.2008

UK National Farmers Union calls for more scientific research including GM

The report launched before 70 MPs at the House of Commons called on government ”to recognise the need of productive and efficient agriculture as an important goal for scientific research and development and not focus on environmental mitigation as its sole objective.” Dr Helen Ferrier, the author of the report, said this included research into genetically modified crops. She said it was one of ”the weapons in the armoury” in boosting output particularly given the challenges of climage change and increased demand for food.

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