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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.
December
December 27, 2007
Latin America and EU to Collaborate on Biotechnology
Laura Garcia, SciDev.Net
The European Union and several South American countries that are part of the Mercosur trade pact plan to spend close to $12 million to develop a program to fund agricultural biotechnology projects in Latin America. The initiate will fund four regional projects in four areas of interest: forestry, oilseeds, ovine (sheep) and avian (bird).
The European Union and several South American countries that are part of the Mercosur trade pact plan to spend close to $12 million to develop a program to fund agricultural biotechnology projects in Latin America. The initiate will fund four regional projects in four areas of interest: forestry, oilseeds, ovine (sheep) and avian (bird).
December 12, 2007
Canada GM Canola Growers $14/ha "Better Off"
North Queensland Register
This article reports that Canadian farmers who plant genetically modified canola are earning about $14 a hectare more than their conventional or organic counterparts. Canola Council of Canada's chairman, Stew Gilroy says the major drivers are lower input costs, especially herbicides, better weed management and better yields. He says the lower costs and higher yields far outweigh the extra cost of the GM technology users agreement paid to the patent holders.
This article reports that Canadian farmers who plant genetically modified canola are earning about $14 a hectare more than their conventional or organic counterparts. Canola Council of Canada's chairman, Stew Gilroy says the major drivers are lower input costs, especially herbicides, better weed management and better yields. He says the lower costs and higher yields far outweigh the extra cost of the GM technology users agreement paid to the patent holders.
December 12, 2007
Report Says Gene Flow from GM Crops Not Likely to Harm Environment
University of California–Davis Press Release
The Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST) released a new issue paper titled “Implications of Gene Flow in the Scale-up and Commercial Use of Biotechnology-Derived Crops.” The paper finds that gene flow from genetically modified crop plants to their wild relatives will have little overall impact on human health or the environment. It also provides information on adventitious presence, gene flow, containment approaches, regulatory and risk mechanisms, and the potential economic implications of GM crops in the marketplace.
The Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST) released a new issue paper titled “Implications of Gene Flow in the Scale-up and Commercial Use of Biotechnology-Derived Crops.” The paper finds that gene flow from genetically modified crop plants to their wild relatives will have little overall impact on human health or the environment. It also provides information on adventitious presence, gene flow, containment approaches, regulatory and risk mechanisms, and the potential economic implications of GM crops in the marketplace.
November
November 16, 2007
GM Plants that Produce Fish Oils Could Help Fight Heart Disease
Alok Jha, The Guardian
The article captures results and comments from scientists participating in a five-year EU-funded study to identify ways to increase the levels of omega-3 fish oils in people’s diets. According to the study, genetically modified plants that produce essential omega-3 fish oils could be the only way to ensure people get enough of these nutrients. The plants, which would be used as feed for farm animals, could increase omega-3 in human diets without adding to pressure on rapidly declining fish stocks.
The article captures results and comments from scientists participating in a five-year EU-funded study to identify ways to increase the levels of omega-3 fish oils in people’s diets. According to the study, genetically modified plants that produce essential omega-3 fish oils could be the only way to ensure people get enough of these nutrients. The plants, which would be used as feed for farm animals, could increase omega-3 in human diets without adding to pressure on rapidly declining fish stocks.
November 15, 2007
Africa Warms Up to Biotechnology
Ismail Serageldin and Calestous Juma, Business Daily
Much of the debate about biotechnology in Africa assumes that African countries are only being asked to accept products developed elsewhere. This article details the extensive biotechnology research that is under way in Africa as captured in a recent report: Freedom to Innovate: Biotechnology in Africa’s Development. A study of 13 public institutions in Kenya, Zimbabwe, Egypt and South Africa showed that biotechnology applications have been performed on 21 crops.
Much of the debate about biotechnology in Africa assumes that African countries are only being asked to accept products developed elsewhere. This article details the extensive biotechnology research that is under way in Africa as captured in a recent report: Freedom to Innovate: Biotechnology in Africa’s Development. A study of 13 public institutions in Kenya, Zimbabwe, Egypt and South Africa showed that biotechnology applications have been performed on 21 crops.
November 13, 2007
GM Canola in Front
News Release from Charles Sturt University
Researchers from Charles Sturt University have found using genetically modified canola can deliver better yields and profits to farmers. The research compared crop rotations over five years using a GM variety, conventional canola and a triazine-tolerant variety. One researcher said better profits were seen with the GM canola, and that helped subsequent wheat and lupin crops.
Researchers from Charles Sturt University have found using genetically modified canola can deliver better yields and profits to farmers. The research compared crop rotations over five years using a GM variety, conventional canola and a triazine-tolerant variety. One researcher said better profits were seen with the GM canola, and that helped subsequent wheat and lupin crops.
October
October 12, 2007
How to Fight Childhood Blindness
Patrick Moore, The American
Greenpeace co-founder Patrick Moore comments on the important benefits of genetically modified foods — specifically "golden rice." He discusses numerous scientific studies that indicate golden rice can contribute in a cost-effective manner to the alleviation of vitamin A deficiency (VAD), thereby easing children's suffering and, in many cases, saving their lives.
Greenpeace co-founder Patrick Moore comments on the important benefits of genetically modified foods — specifically "golden rice." He discusses numerous scientific studies that indicate golden rice can contribute in a cost-effective manner to the alleviation of vitamin A deficiency (VAD), thereby easing children's suffering and, in many cases, saving their lives.
October 08, 2007
Biotech Can Boost Developing Economies
Sifelani Tsiko, The Herald
Following the National Biotechnology Authority Workshop in Zimbabwe, several scientists and other professionals discussed the need to embrace biotechnology to address food security problems through the development of drought-tolerant, pest-resistant and flood-tolerant crop varieties. In Africa, only Egypt, Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe are currently granting approvals of biotech field trials.
Following the National Biotechnology Authority Workshop in Zimbabwe, several scientists and other professionals discussed the need to embrace biotechnology to address food security problems through the development of drought-tolerant, pest-resistant and flood-tolerant crop varieties. In Africa, only Egypt, Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe are currently granting approvals of biotech field trials.
September
September 28, 2007
Sustainable Technology
Dean Kleckner, Chairman, Truth About Trade & Technology Web site
This commentary by Iowa farmer Dean Kleckner cites a study published in the June 2007 edition of Science – the journal of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). The study found that biotechnology is not only good for ladybugs, bees and earthworms, but can play a helpful role in conservation efforts and may, in fact, represent an environmental improvement over traditional methods of pest control. A link to the abstract of the referenced report is included.
This commentary by Iowa farmer Dean Kleckner cites a study published in the June 2007 edition of Science – the journal of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). The study found that biotechnology is not only good for ladybugs, bees and earthworms, but can play a helpful role in conservation efforts and may, in fact, represent an environmental improvement over traditional methods of pest control. A link to the abstract of the referenced report is included.
August
August 24, 2007
University Report Cites Benefits of Bt Cotton to Indian Farmers
International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-Biotech Applications (ISAAA)
This article from the ISAAA Web site summarizes a 170-page report by the Agro-Economic Research Centre (AERC) of the Andhra University in India who studied the advantages, disadvantages, cost of cultivation and net return of Bt cotton growers compared to non-Bt cotton growers in select districts. The complete report is available by contacting AERC.
This article from the ISAAA Web site summarizes a 170-page report by the Agro-Economic Research Centre (AERC) of the Andhra University in India who studied the advantages, disadvantages, cost of cultivation and net return of Bt cotton growers compared to non-Bt cotton growers in select districts. The complete report is available by contacting AERC.
August 16, 2007
Genetically Modified (GM) Crops: The Wheat from the Chaff
Transcript of Melbourne University Up Close Episode 20
In this excerpt from a Melbourne University audio podcast, Professor Rick Roush, an internationally eminent researcher in weed and pest management and Dean of Land and Food Resources at Melbourne University in Australia, discusses the realities and myths of GM crops including the evolution of plant breeding in agriculture, the types of changes made in plants through genetic modification, the safety and testing associated with GM crops, the distribution of the benefits of available products, and the disadvantages or opposition to the technology.
In this excerpt from a Melbourne University audio podcast, Professor Rick Roush, an internationally eminent researcher in weed and pest management and Dean of Land and Food Resources at Melbourne University in Australia, discusses the realities and myths of GM crops including the evolution of plant breeding in agriculture, the types of changes made in plants through genetic modification, the safety and testing associated with GM crops, the distribution of the benefits of available products, and the disadvantages or opposition to the technology.
August 07, 2007
Grains Body Informs GM Debate
News Release from the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC)
The GRDC – Australia's leading grain research organization – released the publication FutureCrop, which explores recent biotechnology advances and investigates development overseas, where more than 10 million farmers have found ready markets for genetically modified crops. FutureCrop can be downloaded from the GRDC Web site.
The GRDC – Australia's leading grain research organization – released the publication FutureCrop, which explores recent biotechnology advances and investigates development overseas, where more than 10 million farmers have found ready markets for genetically modified crops. FutureCrop can be downloaded from the GRDC Web site.
August 01, 2007
Response to Butterfly Controversy a Model in Assessing Biotech Products
The Council for Biotechnology Information
This article from the Council for Biotechnology Information Web site discusses and provides citations for research done by a group of public and private scientists that shows, amidst controversy, that Bt corn presents a negligible risk to monarch caterpillars.
This article from the Council for Biotechnology Information Web site discusses and provides citations for research done by a group of public and private scientists that shows, amidst controversy, that Bt corn presents a negligible risk to monarch caterpillars.
July
July 27, 2007
Agri Biotech on Fast Track in India
The Economic Times
Key results from the latest report of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) highlight how agriculture biotechnology has emerged as one of the fastest growing biotech industries in India, riding on the success of Bt cotton.
Key results from the latest report of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) highlight how agriculture biotechnology has emerged as one of the fastest growing biotech industries in India, riding on the success of Bt cotton.
July 25, 2007
Continuing the Green Revolution
Norman Borlaug, DesMoines Register
In this excerpt from an editorial, Dr. Norman Borlaug, the 1970 Nobel Peace Prize recipient and leader of the Green Revolution, describes the development of plant biotechnology and provides compelling evidence on the current and future benefits of the technology.
In this excerpt from an editorial, Dr. Norman Borlaug, the 1970 Nobel Peace Prize recipient and leader of the Green Revolution, describes the development of plant biotechnology and provides compelling evidence on the current and future benefits of the technology.
July 11, 2007
Two Studies Show Benefits of BT Cotton in India
News Release from the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM)
ASSOCHAM released results from two studies that capture the economic and socio-economic benefits of Bt cotton farming in India including additional income, cost savings, and higher access to maternal care services, child education and immunization.
ASSOCHAM released results from two studies that capture the economic and socio-economic benefits of Bt cotton farming in India including additional income, cost savings, and higher access to maternal care services, child education and immunization.
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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