Noticias
19.02.2010
Pharming confident of Rhucin Europe approval in 2010 despite EUR 32.1 mill loss in 2009
Dutch biotechnology firm Pharming said it was on track to secure European approval for its key drug product Rhucin, even as it continued to operate at a loss for 2009. Pharming, which produces therapeutic proteins in the milk of genetically modified animals, reported on Thursday a net loss of 32.1 million euros ($44.07 million) in 2009 compared with a loss of 26.2 million in 2008, partly due to lower interest income.
19.02.2010
Bulgaria MPs agree GMO amendments to protect organic farmland
The Bulgarian Parliamentary Committee on the Environment has agreed that GMOs will not be allowed within 7 kms of organic farmland, and 10 kms away from permanent, registered beehive clusters. They also adopted a five-year ban on the cultivation of GMOs for commercial and scientific research in the field. The document was voted before the new law on GMOs was adopted on second reading. The committee has accepted these changes to the Law on Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) at the proposal of Evdokiya Maneva, Deputy Minister of Environment and Water.
19.02.2010
Switzerland: Three more years of GM ban
The moratorium for genetically modified animals and plants that has been in force in Switzerland since 2005 is to be extended for a further three years. First of all, the results are expected of a national research programme on the uses and risks of genetically modified plants. In a referendum in 2005, the majority of the Swiss population voted to initially prohibit the use of genetically modified animals and plants for a period of five years.
19.02.2010
Performance Plants (Canada) to close doors, cannot fulfill promise on drought-resistant GE plants
A former Kingston high-tech darling has announced that it is shutting down its Kingston operation for at least the next three months. Performance Plants Inc., a biotech startup that was often seen as the star of the city?s emerging knowledge-based sector, announced late Friday that it was mothballing its Kingston operation for 13 weeks and closing a research and development facility in New York State permanently. [...] The company specialized in research in the area of genetically modified crops, treating them to increase yields, enhance frost resistance and make them less susceptible to droughts.
19.02.2010
Norway says ?no? to genetically modified seeds
His government has said ?no? to genetically modified seeds and other imports ? three applications for GM maize are still pending. He said that His government was pursuing a different route ? increasing crop productivity by releasing the untapped potential of grains to be water-efficient and nutrient-efficient. ?We know we will be challenged by international companies… They have patented their products and want to sell them in Norway,? [the Norwegian Minister of Agriculture and Food Lars Peder Brekk] said.
17.02.2010
Central Institute of Cotton Research (India) warns of problems with Bt cotton
Kranthi, acting director of the Central Institute of Cotton Research (CICR) in Nagpur, has warned that poor management of the technology has spawned an abundance of predictable and unexpected problems. The rapid adoption of GM cotton by farmers across the country has coincided with the rise of hitherto unknown insect pests, increased pesticide applications by farmers, and declining cotton productivity over the past three years, he has told the government. [...] ?Cotton is a tricky crop — we should have been more careful,? Kranthi said. ?There are lessons to be learnt from this experience for future genetically modified crops, brinjal or anything else,?
17.02.2010
Why let a debate determine the fate of GM foods?
the debates, in seven cities including Kolkata, Hyderabad and Bengaluru, were chaotic, nothing more than acrimonious shouting matches between environmental activists and scientists, who say they were not given a fair chance to voice their opinion. One scientist said he had his hand raised for more than half an hour, but was not allowed to speak. Another said he was told he could make a presentation, but was again not allowed to. Others were not even permitted to enter the premises. So are townhalls such as these the best way to discuss matters of serious scientific weight?
- Reuters, UK (11.02.2010): Why let a debate determine the fate of GM foods?
- The Hindu, India (12.02.2010): India giving wrong signal by putting on hold Bt Brinjal, says Biocon
- The Times of India, India (15.02.2010): Chavan bats for Bt brinjal, says it?s safe
- Indian Express, India (15.02.2010): Another minister speaks up, CSIR chief says Bt brinjal 100% safe
- Daily News & Analysis, India (DNA) (16.02.2010): Biotech industry pushes for fiscal incentives, duty exemption
- Indian Express, India (13.02.2010): Sibal?s Bt signal: need to trust science, scientists
- Thaindian News, Thailand (14.02.2010): Going by science, Bt. Brinjal is safe: Prithviraj Chavan
17.02.2010
What an eggplant uproar says about India?s economy
One of the problems, as Minister Ramesh conceded this week, is that the country?s regulatory system lacks the expertise and autonomy required to put decisions beyond reproach. [...] Progress may be slow, but in India?s case, the best rate of growth may not turn out to be the absolute fastest, but the one that takes into account long-term environmental and human costs. A slow-cooked brinjal decision may taste best.
- Time, USA (15.02.2010): What an eggplant uproar says about India?s economy
- Reuters, India (16.02.2010): Debate over GM eggplant consumes India
- SciDev.Net, UK (09.02.2010): GM crops: still not a panacea for poor farmers
- Forbes, USA (16.02.2010): A hungry India balks at genetically modified crops
- The Financial Express, India (16.02.2010): On the side of science
17.02.2010
Bt brinjal and the politics of knowledge
Eight years ago Bob Watson, the senior scientific advisor of the World Bank, found himself standing between two bitter opponents. [...] Watson responded to this tussle by joining hands with the United Nations Development Progam, World Health Organization and other UN agencies to set up a uniquely democratic multi-stakeholder process to study what agricultural technologies will enable every person on earth to be well fed.
- Rediff.com, India (15.02.2010): Bt brinjal and the politics of knowledge
- GRAIN, Spain (01.01.2010): Indian farmers organise to stop Bt brinjal
- Daily News & Analysis, India (DNA) (16.02.2010): Some on Bt panel were promoting own interest
- The Times of India, India (14.02.2010): Consumers should have choice on Bt brinjal
- Hindustan Times, India (12.02.2010): Sowing the right seeds
17.02.2010
Third Indian war of independence averted trough Bt brinjal moratorium
Dr P M Bhargava, one of the most unrelenting opponents of the commercial cultivation of Bt brinjal in India, believes that last week?s decision of the Centre makes the third war of Independence by India unnecessary. ?The first war was in 1857 which we lost; the second one we won and got independence. We would have had to fight the third war of independence if Bt brinjal cultivation was given the go-ahead. We needn?t fight it now,? he said in an interview here.
- Deccan Herald, India (14.02.2010): ?Third war of independence averted?
- ExpressBuzz, India (15.02.2010): Beware of GM crops, patent regimes
- Thaindian News, Thailand (15.02.2010): Canadian Indian scientist pats Ramesh on Bt Brinjal, smells conspiracy
- IBNLive, India (13.02.2010): Like a breath of fresh air
- Daily News & Analysis, India (DNA) (13.02.2010): Experts caution on the introduction of GM crops
- Orissa Diary, India (12.02.2010): Questioning of democratic decision-making on Bt brinjal unfortunate
17.02.2010
?GM isn?t only route to food security? says Indian Environment Minister
A rethink on GM in agriculture: The moratorium has nothing to do with the future of GM technology in agriculture, which is a decision that has been taken at the highest level. GM is an important element, but not the only route to food security. So we are not abandoning GM in agriculture.
- Outlook, India (22.02.2010): ?GM isn?t only route to food security?
- Outlook, India (22.02.2010): Bacteria Curry - The volte-face on Bt brinjal deepens the controversy over GM foods
- The Times of India, India (16.02.2010): Cong sides with Jairam on Bt brinjal
- Indian Express, India (17.02.2010): Panel which cleared Bt brinjal to meet today to discuss ban
- Business Standard, India (12.02.2010): ?Socio-economic impact study on Bt brinjal not done?
16.02.2010
Group lobbies for Farmer Protection Act in New Mexico (USA)
A group of New Mexico farmers and heritage seed advocates are lobbying hard to get a bill through the Legislature that would protect them from liability if their fields are cross-pollinated by patented, genetically engineered seeds. It is the third time farmers have tried to get a similar bill passed, but this time it has the backing of Gov. Bill Richardson, who put it on his call for the session.
16.02.2010
Tanzania eyes court case to stop patenting of sorghum gene
Tanzania is planning to move to court to stop the US and Brazilian governments, jointly with two multinational firms, from patenting a sorghum gene isolated from Tanzanian farms. [...] Tanzania explains that patenting this crop is fatal to its food security, and violates international treaties. It would also increase local food prices as multinational corporations seek to exploit their patent to boost profits by selling sorghum seeds at a high prices at a time when millions of Tanzanians currently living under conditions of abject poverty are struggling to put food on their table.
16.02.2010
Non-GE breeding successes in Africa
Climbing beans suited to rainy high-altitude areas are being distributed in Rwanda after a decade of research. The fifteen varieties, developed by the Rwandan Agricultural Research Institute (ISAR) in collaboration with the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), could benefit smallholder farmers in similar areas across Central and East Africa.
- SciDev.Net, UK (04.02.2010): Beans climb to new heights in Rwanda
- International Institute for Tropical Agriculture, Nigeria (IITA) (01.02.2010): Yam research in West & Central Africa gets EU funding support
- Science Magazine, USA (12.02.2010): Plant geneticist cultivating a future for peanut farming in Uganda
- International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Nigeria (IITA) (13.01.2010): IITA to intensify fight against deadly cassava disease in sub-Saharan Africa supported by Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
16.02.2010
GMO-free is fastest growing health claim in U.S. store brand products
U.S. retailers continue to make progress in offering store brand products with health claims relevant to shoppers looking for healthier food choices. Store brands flexed their marketing muscle in the health claims arena putting impressive growth numbers on the leader board in emerging, albeit smaller, trend areas such as genetically modified organism (GMO) free, gluten free and absence of a specific fat.
16.02.2010
Research shows organic corn and soybean yields can exceed conventional
Some observers have concluded that a major shift to organic production methods would result in decreased yields leading to catastrophic food shortages. [...] Beyond noting historical yield lags, however, such reviews are flawed in several key respects. The authors seem to assume that, absent some form of corrective action, there will be a major shift to organic production over a short period and organic yields cannot be improved. Since about 98% of agriculture is considered ?conventional,? a sudden jump to organic production is highly unlikely and, as researchers and producers can document, yields can and are improving.
16.02.2010
Are some scientists just taking the cis out of genetic engineering?
While appearing to take concerns seriously, the promotion of cisgenics and intragenics by New Zealand science companies risks further public alienation. The debate on the safety and appropriateness of using genetically engineered/modified (GE) plants and animals for food or animal feed is frequently manipulated through semantics. Language and not substance has been used to overstate hazards and also to obscure the search for them.
- SciBlogs, New Zealand (11.02.2010): Are some scientists just taking the cis out of genetic engineering?
- ISB News Report, USA (01.11.2009): Should novel organisms developed using oligonucleotide-mediated mutagenesis be excluded from the EU regulation on GMOs?
- Grainews, Canada (09.12.2009): BrettYoung in partnership to develop non-GM canola
- SciBlogs, New Zealand (12.02.2010): Are some scientists just taking the cis out of genetic engineering? Pt II
15.02.2010
Department of Agriculture ?whistle-blower? not happy with Australian GM trials
A plant breeding technician is accusing his former employer (the Department of Agriculture and Food WA) of getting too close to big multi-national chemical companies. He thinks this conflict of interest has resulted in ?shonky? genetically-modified canola trials being conducted in WA last year. For more than 10 years Patrick Fels worked on the department?s canola breeding programs, but in November last year he was sacked.
- Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Australia (10.02.2010): Department of Agriculture ?whistle-blower? not happy with GM trials
- Blue Mountains Gazette, Australia (10.02.2010): Council cautious on GM foods
- Weekly Times, Australia (10.02.2010): SA stands firm on canola ban
- Yorke Peninsula Country Times, Australia (09.02.2010): Maintain GM moratorium: MP
- Weekly Times, Australia (16.02.2010): GM canola tops trial results
15.02.2010
Release of Smartstax seeds in the U.S. a ?challenge? says Monsanto
The launch of Monsanto?s new eight-trait, Smartstax transgenic corn seed line has been challenging [...] Brett Begemann, executive vice president for seeds and traits, said the introduction of the relatively high-priced corn hasn?t been easy. He said the new product is competing against Monsanto?s other triple-stack corn lines sold primarily through its DeKalb, Kruger, Fontanelle?s and Holden?s subsidiaries.
15.02.2010
?Farming must embrace GM technology to fight 21st-century food crisis?
Farming must fully embrace genetically modified (GM) crops to meet the dual challenges of population growth and global warming, according to Hillary Clinton?s chief scientist. Nina Fedoroff, who advises the US Secretary of State on science and technology, heads a group of senior researchers who call today for a ?radical rethink? of farm practice to meet 21st-century demand for food. Writing in the journal Science, they urge world leaders to do more to promote GM technologies so that scientists can create crops that produce higher yields and that can grow in the harsh conditions of a warmer world.
