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Biotech News Headlines
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Following are recent biotech news headlines from a few articles and editorials about the farmers, scientists, academic institutions and government agencies who use, research, review and debate the benefits of biotech. Please click on a link below to view the corresponding article for the selected biotech news headline.
May
May 14, 2009
Wheat Groups Announce Goal of Synchronized Biotech Introduction in U.S., Canada and Australia
Press Release, National Association of Wheat Growers
In this joint press release, organizations representing the wheat industry in the United States, Canada and Australia announce they will work toward the goal of synchronized commercialization of biotech traits in the wheat crop. There is currently no commercial production of genetically modified wheat anywhere in the world. The associations state that one reason for their position is declining acres in all three countries due in part to competition from crops that have the advantages of biotech traits.
In this joint press release, organizations representing the wheat industry in the United States, Canada and Australia announce they will work toward the goal of synchronized commercialization of biotech traits in the wheat crop. There is currently no commercial production of genetically modified wheat anywhere in the world. The associations state that one reason for their position is declining acres in all three countries due in part to competition from crops that have the advantages of biotech traits.
April
April 28, 2009
Corn Fortified With Vitamins Devised by Scientists
Karen Kaplan, Los Angeles Times
Scientists have developed a corn that boosts consumption of three key nutrients that are lacking in the diets of millions of people in developing countries. According to a report in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, the genetically modified African corn has 169-fold increase in beta carotene, six times the normal amount of vitamin C, and double the usual level of folate. This article provides additional details on the Spanish and German researchers who developed this corn, as well as the information on the genes that were added.
Scientists have developed a corn that boosts consumption of three key nutrients that are lacking in the diets of millions of people in developing countries. According to a report in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, the genetically modified African corn has 169-fold increase in beta carotene, six times the normal amount of vitamin C, and double the usual level of folate. This article provides additional details on the Spanish and German researchers who developed this corn, as well as the information on the genes that were added.
March
March 27, 2009
Tired of Being Left Out in the Cold
Allan Skogen, Truth about Trade and Technology
In this editorial, U.S. wheat, corn and soybean farmer Allan Skogen suggests consumers and wheat producers are “paying a steep price” for retreating from biotechnology while other commodities embraced the technology. He believes it is critical for wheat, as a staple food crop for millions worldwide, to take advantage of biotechnology and potential biotech traits such as disease-, drought- and cold-tolerance.
In this editorial, U.S. wheat, corn and soybean farmer Allan Skogen suggests consumers and wheat producers are “paying a steep price” for retreating from biotechnology while other commodities embraced the technology. He believes it is critical for wheat, as a staple food crop for millions worldwide, to take advantage of biotechnology and potential biotech traits such as disease-, drought- and cold-tolerance.
- View video with U.S. farmer Al Skogen, who discusses the food and crops safety of genetically engineered plants.
March 26, 2009
Why the Developing World Needs a New Food Deal
Sylvain Charlebois, Globe and Mail (Canada)
In this Opinion Page article, Sylvain Charlebois, an associate dean at the Kenneth Levene Graduate School of Business at the University of Regina, discusses the need for genetically engineered foods in the southern hemisphere where farmers are seeking ways to produce more food with fewer resources. He also states that the evidence to support the use of genetically engineered crops to cope with climate change and economic challenges is overwhelming.
In this Opinion Page article, Sylvain Charlebois, an associate dean at the Kenneth Levene Graduate School of Business at the University of Regina, discusses the need for genetically engineered foods in the southern hemisphere where farmers are seeking ways to produce more food with fewer resources. He also states that the evidence to support the use of genetically engineered crops to cope with climate change and economic challenges is overwhelming.
March 25, 2009
Another Green Revolution: Genetically Modified Food Offers Hope for the World’s Malnourished
Bjorn Lomborg, City Journal
Bjorn Lomborg, an adjunct professor at the Copenhagen Business School, states that most agricultural scientists believe that our need for increased food production can be met through genetically modified crops — beginning a second Green Revolution. He comments on the work of Norman Borlaug and the potential for GM crops to help areas such as sub-Saharan Africa that were left out of the first Green Revolution.
Bjorn Lomborg, an adjunct professor at the Copenhagen Business School, states that most agricultural scientists believe that our need for increased food production can be met through genetically modified crops — beginning a second Green Revolution. He comments on the work of Norman Borlaug and the potential for GM crops to help areas such as sub-Saharan Africa that were left out of the first Green Revolution.
- View video with Nobel Laureate and Father of the Green Revolution Dr. Norman Borlaug as he comments on biotechnology benefits.
March 25, 2009
GM Can Safeguard the Environment
William Surman, Farmers Guardian
This article summarizes comments and discussion at a meeting of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Science and Technology in Agriculture. Agricultural economist Graham Brookes said after 11 years of widespread use, GM crops had done more to help protect the environment than any other single technology. The government’s chief scientist Prof. Beddington said better plant technology had to be part of the solution to meet a growing population, scarcity of water and falling energy sources.
This article summarizes comments and discussion at a meeting of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Science and Technology in Agriculture. Agricultural economist Graham Brookes said after 11 years of widespread use, GM crops had done more to help protect the environment than any other single technology. The government’s chief scientist Prof. Beddington said better plant technology had to be part of the solution to meet a growing population, scarcity of water and falling energy sources.
February
February 19, 2009
"Super Cassava' to Enter Field Trials"
Aisling Irwin, Scidev.net
800 million people globally rely on cassava as their main source of energy, despite the low nutritional content. In 2005, the BioCassava Plus programme began to provide complete nutrition in cassava. The genetically modified cassava, which contains 30 times more beta-carotene as its normal counterpart, has been approved to be tested in small-scale field trials in Nigeria. If those succeed, nutrition trials will follow.
800 million people globally rely on cassava as their main source of energy, despite the low nutritional content. In 2005, the BioCassava Plus programme began to provide complete nutrition in cassava. The genetically modified cassava, which contains 30 times more beta-carotene as its normal counterpart, has been approved to be tested in small-scale field trials in Nigeria. If those succeed, nutrition trials will follow.
February 18, 2009
Kenya Approves GM After Years of Delays
David Njagi, Scidev.net
Kenya has become the fourth African country (joining Burkina Faso, Egypt and South Africa) to allow the production and use of genetically modified (GM) crops, following years of fine-tuning the proposed regulations and mechanisms to monitor and regulate GM technology. This legislation will fast-track the Water Efficient Maize for Africa (WEMA) project to develop drought-resistant maize.
Kenya has become the fourth African country (joining Burkina Faso, Egypt and South Africa) to allow the production and use of genetically modified (GM) crops, following years of fine-tuning the proposed regulations and mechanisms to monitor and regulate GM technology. This legislation will fast-track the Water Efficient Maize for Africa (WEMA) project to develop drought-resistant maize.
February 13, 2009
Calls for European Rethink on GM Crops
Dan Buglass, Scotsman
This article discusses recent survey results which show that 45 percent of UK farmers, 62 percent of French maize growers and more than 80 percent of Polish farmers would like the option to grow GM crops. The NFU of England and Wales is quoted as saying European farmers are interested in using GM crops to increase food production while minimizing the impact on the environment.
This article discusses recent survey results which show that 45 percent of UK farmers, 62 percent of French maize growers and more than 80 percent of Polish farmers would like the option to grow GM crops. The NFU of England and Wales is quoted as saying European farmers are interested in using GM crops to increase food production while minimizing the impact on the environment.
February 12, 2009
Kenyan President Signs Biosafety Bill into Law
Henry Neondo, Africa Science News Service (ASNS)
After years of discussion, Kenya’s president signed the Biosafety Bill into law — now allowing regulatory authorities to draw up regulations for GM crops. Kenya is the most advanced East African country in GMO research with insect- and virus-resistant crops in the pipeline. Kenya’s biosafety law is expected to help neighboring countries develop their own practices.
After years of discussion, Kenya’s president signed the Biosafety Bill into law — now allowing regulatory authorities to draw up regulations for GM crops. Kenya is the most advanced East African country in GMO research with insect- and virus-resistant crops in the pipeline. Kenya’s biosafety law is expected to help neighboring countries develop their own practices.
February 11, 2009
Biotechnology's Role in Sustainability
Excerpt from a Press Release, International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-Biotech Applications (ISAAA)
This except from ISAAA’s press release on the findings of its recently released 13th annual study on the adoption of biotech crops includes a section dedicated to the role of biotechnology in sustainability. The press release states that in addition to aiding in issues of food security, biotech crops have an important role to play in lessening the environmental impact and improving the sustainability of food production.
This except from ISAAA’s press release on the findings of its recently released 13th annual study on the adoption of biotech crops includes a section dedicated to the role of biotechnology in sustainability. The press release states that in addition to aiding in issues of food security, biotech crops have an important role to play in lessening the environmental impact and improving the sustainability of food production.
February 11, 2009
Biotech Crops Poised for Second Wave of Growth
Press Release, International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-Biotech Applications (ISAAA)
This press release from ISAAA summarizes some of the key findings from its recently released 13th annual study on the adoption of biotech crops globally. Among the statistics cited, 13.3 million farmers in a record 25 countries planted 125 million hectares of biotech crops in 2008. Also, ISAAA reports the 2 billionth cumulative acre of biotech crops was planted in 2008 — just three years after the first billionth acre, which required a decade to reach.
This press release from ISAAA summarizes some of the key findings from its recently released 13th annual study on the adoption of biotech crops globally. Among the statistics cited, 13.3 million farmers in a record 25 countries planted 125 million hectares of biotech crops in 2008. Also, ISAAA reports the 2 billionth cumulative acre of biotech crops was planted in 2008 — just three years after the first billionth acre, which required a decade to reach.
February 10, 2009
Increasing Africa's Grain Harvest
Editorial, Voice of America
This editorial summarizes the efforts of the public-private partnership WEMA, which is dedicated to reducing crop failure and alleviating hunger and poverty by developing drought-tolerant, high-yielding maize varieties that are adapted to African conditions. The project is supported by Kenya, Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Monsanto, the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and the Howard Buffett Foundation.
This editorial summarizes the efforts of the public-private partnership WEMA, which is dedicated to reducing crop failure and alleviating hunger and poverty by developing drought-tolerant, high-yielding maize varieties that are adapted to African conditions. The project is supported by Kenya, Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Monsanto, the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and the Howard Buffett Foundation.
February 09, 2009
Making Sense of GM: What is the genetic modification of plants and why are scientists doing it?
Sense about Science
Sense about Science, an independent charitable trust promoting good science and evidence in public debates, recently published a guide titled “Making Sense of GM.” In the guide, scientists are responding to questions and misconceptions about genetically modified crops. The guide also examines the way GM has been debated in the past and calls for a new discussion about GM that helps the public and policy makers judge what GM crops could contribute to the global food supply and to the management of natural resources.
Sense about Science, an independent charitable trust promoting good science and evidence in public debates, recently published a guide titled “Making Sense of GM.” In the guide, scientists are responding to questions and misconceptions about genetically modified crops. The guide also examines the way GM has been debated in the past and calls for a new discussion about GM that helps the public and policy makers judge what GM crops could contribute to the global food supply and to the management of natural resources.
February 09, 2009
Research Platform for Transgenic Crops Launched
The Hindu
The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) of the Government of India have launched a project to establish a Platform for the Translational Research of Transgenic Crops (PTTC). The PTTC will provide an opportunity for public sector research institutes and biotechnology companies to work together to translate transgenic research into products. William Dar of ICRISAT said that future food demand cannot be met without research breakthroughs that increase crop productivity and help solve the food crisis.
The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) of the Government of India have launched a project to establish a Platform for the Translational Research of Transgenic Crops (PTTC). The PTTC will provide an opportunity for public sector research institutes and biotechnology companies to work together to translate transgenic research into products. William Dar of ICRISAT said that future food demand cannot be met without research breakthroughs that increase crop productivity and help solve the food crisis.
January
January 26, 2009
U.S.-African Partnership Developing Drought-Tolerant Maize: African-led Project Using Biotechnology to Increase Grain Harvest
Nancy Pontius, www.america.gov
Water Efficient Maize for Africa (WEMA) is a private-public partnership that was formed to curb hunger and poverty in Africa by developing drought-tolerant maize for small-scale farming operations that are negatively impacted by frequent droughts. WEMA projects that drought-tolerant maize planted on 1 million hectares in a moderate drought year could increase production enough to feed an additional 4.8 million people, which is the equivalent of $320 million in food aid.
Water Efficient Maize for Africa (WEMA) is a private-public partnership that was formed to curb hunger and poverty in Africa by developing drought-tolerant maize for small-scale farming operations that are negatively impacted by frequent droughts. WEMA projects that drought-tolerant maize planted on 1 million hectares in a moderate drought year could increase production enough to feed an additional 4.8 million people, which is the equivalent of $320 million in food aid.
January 22, 2009
Diverse Group Releases First-of-its-Kind Report Measuring Agriculture Sustainability
Press Release, The Keystone Center
Field to Market — a diverse alliance of grower organizations, agribusinesses, food companies and conservation organizations — released the first report in a long-term effort to quantify and improve the environmental, socio-economic and health impacts of agriculture production. The report evaluated land use, water use, energy use, soil loss, and climate impact in corn, soy, cotton, and wheat production over the last two decades.
Field to Market — a diverse alliance of grower organizations, agribusinesses, food companies and conservation organizations — released the first report in a long-term effort to quantify and improve the environmental, socio-economic and health impacts of agriculture production. The report evaluated land use, water use, energy use, soil loss, and climate impact in corn, soy, cotton, and wheat production over the last two decades.
January 22, 2009
US Consumer Views of the Benefits, Costs and Risks of Genetically Engineered Crop
Jack Cooper, AgBioView Newsletter on Agricultural Biotechnology
A group of scientists from Virginia examined the benefits, costs and risks associated with agricultural products that are developed through genetically engineered crop research. With funding from USDA, they assessed the costs and benefits of biotechnologies using economic models, world trade models, telephone surveys and focus groups. A link to the project findings, education materials and fact sheets is provided.
A group of scientists from Virginia examined the benefits, costs and risks associated with agricultural products that are developed through genetically engineered crop research. With funding from USDA, they assessed the costs and benefits of biotechnologies using economic models, world trade models, telephone surveys and focus groups. A link to the project findings, education materials and fact sheets is provided.
January 16, 2009
Consumers in Asia Ready for Benefits of Biotechnology Derived Foods
Economic Times
A consumer survey by the Asian Food Information Centre (AFIC) found that consumers in Asia — especially India, China and the Philippines — are ready to accept the benefits of biotechnology-derived foods. In the survey, Asian consumers said the most important crop production factors related to sustainable food production are reducing the use of pesticides and increasing food production to reduce world hunger.
A consumer survey by the Asian Food Information Centre (AFIC) found that consumers in Asia — especially India, China and the Philippines — are ready to accept the benefits of biotechnology-derived foods. In the survey, Asian consumers said the most important crop production factors related to sustainable food production are reducing the use of pesticides and increasing food production to reduce world hunger.
Please note that the information provided in these biotech news headlines, articles and releases was current as of the date of the original release or publication. Biotech news may remain posted or archived on this Web site after the original release or publication, but will not be revised to reflect new information that may become available after the original release or publication posting and may be superseded by later dated biotech news headlines, articles and releases.
French farmers discuss the benefits of GM crops and explain why they think the country needs to reevaluate and adopt plant biotechnology.
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