Actualité
14.10.2008
Drought resistant GM crops ready ’in four years’
Genetically modified crops that are drought resistant will be grown by farmers within four to five years, according to scientists developing the technology. Dr David Dennis, the chief executive of Performance Plants Incorporated in Kingston, Ontario, said varieties of drought-tolerant oilseed rape and maize were already being tested in field trials in the US. He claimed the new varieties can increase yield by 40% when the plants are most water-stressed.
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.’
14.10.2008
Israeli scientists can genetically boost the smell of flowers and even implant new scents
A team of researchers claim to have discovered how to not only boost the natural smell of flowers by up to 10 fold but also transfer different scents between plants. The scientists at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have successfully introduced the genes from a rose into a petunia and from a rose into a carnation. [...] Eventually they hope the technology could also be used in yeast so that flowery smells can be added to wine, chocolate and bread.
14.10.2008
Tropical wastelands to cropslands with aluminium-resistant Arabidopsis
”It’s a potential magic bullet, depending on how society decides to use it,” says Larsen. [...] Larsen did his original experiments with Arabadopsis, an easily-manipulated member of the mustard family. He’s now seeking the funding to transform tomatoes, and ultimately a whole range of food crops. [...] Will this new breakthrough finally force the Green movement to recognize the vital potential of biotechnology to both feed poor people and save wildlife habitat?
14.10.2008
U.S. begins to turn its back on GM crops, report claims
The U.S. is turning its back on the controversial GM crops and food it created, it is claimed today. There is widespread distrust of genetically modified produce and a demand for labelling that would allow consumers to decide whether to eat it, according to a report from green campaigners. Research shows that 87 per cent of Americans believe their food should carry a label showing whether it contains GM ingredients.
14.10.2008
New ordinance to control GE crops in Lake County (USA)
Another proposed ordinance that would control the use of genetically engineered – or GE – crops in Lake County will be considered by the Board of Supervisors later this month. [...] The biggest difference between the original Santa Cruz ordinance and what Robey is proposing is a provision he’s included that allows the Board of Supervisors to grant exceptions to the prohibition against GE crops.
13.10.2008
Moves for GM crops in Australian Capital Territory
The CSIRO is planning to grow genetically modified corn in Canberra in an experiment aimed at increasing resistance to antibiotics and developing a high tolerance to herbicides. Potential risks from the research including cross-pollination with non-GM crops and an increase in allergy or toxins in people have been assessed as negligible. The Office of the Gene Technology Regulator has called for public comment on the proposal, which would see 11 lines of corn grown on an area of up to 750sqm at an unnamed research facility in Canberra.
13.10.2008
Australian researcher announces ”giant step forward” for non-GE peas
Steve Moore, Officer in Charge of the IA Watson Grains Research Centre at Narrabri [...] in September 2008 checking the outstanding new field pea variety Maki. ”With the release of more adaptable high yielding and improved disease resistant varieties, field peas could easily become a 50,000 ha crop in central and northern New South Wales and the southern Queensland cropping zone. Maki [...], the latest release from the region, is a giant step forward for field peas and increases the reliability and performance of the crop in a big way”.
13.10.2008
Switzerland’s green power revolution: Ethicists ponder plants’ rights
Last spring, this small Alpine nation began mandating that geneticists conduct their research without trampling on a plant’s dignity. [Beat Keller, a molecular biologist at the University of Zurich] recently sought government permission to do a field trial of genetically modified wheat that has been bred to resist a fungus. [...] in a written application to the government, he tried to explain why the planned trial wouldn’t ”disturb the vital functions or lifestyle” of the plants. He eventually got the green light. The rule, based on a constitutional amendment, came into being after the Swiss Parliament asked a panel of philosophers, lawyers, geneticists and theologians to establish the meaning of flora’s dignity.
13.10.2008
Western Australian Labor split widens on approach to GM
Assistant Minister for Finance, Craig Emerson, has fired a shot at some of his State Labor counterparts, by calling for a rational, science-based approach to assessing the role of genetically modified crops. [...] In his keynote address at last week’s CropLife Australia 2008 Perspectives Conference, Dr Emerson told members of the crop protection and crop biotechnology industry that there was a new push for dogma and superstition to prevail over fact and reason.
13.10.2008
Paraguayan campesinos fight against GM soy
Campesinos in the department of San Pedro occupied Brazilian-owned farms on Oct. 1 to block the entry of transgenic soy, and began planting other crops such as sesame and yucca on the plots. [...] Cristino Peralta, the San Pedro correspondent of the daily ABC Color, said that the farmers immediately began planting the sesame and yucca after occupying the plantations. ”There was no law enforcement intervention,” he said. ”The group´s leader Florencio Martínez said that the occupation marked the start of the recovery of Paraguayan territorial sovereignty.”
13.10.2008
Why on earth doesn’t Europe have its own BIO?
Why on earth don’t we get the backing from the European Commission to imitate BIO – forcing our divided European bioindustries to unite and speak with one voice – which is the only way to rationalise and acknowledge their inderdependence? Why on Earth do the European Commission, Europe’s bioclusters, Europe’s larger companies, European Investors, European contract research organisations, European patient organisations, spend so few of their marketing euros in Europe and so many dollars at BIO – and in many instances to meet fellow Europeans?
10.10.2008
GE horse vaccine could harm birds
A submission from MAF Biosecurity New Zealand said there was no such thing as ”no risk”.
”The ... studies that need to be carried out on all manner of indigenous New Zealand species ... have simply not been done.” However, a submission from the Conservation Department said there was no reason to oppose the vaccine and that the risk of the virus spreading to native birds was ”very low to nil”. Racing Board chief executive Graeme Hansen said any delay in introducing a vaccine after a flu outbreak would harm the industry and could cost it $219 million in the first three months. ”We need to be able to act immediately.”
10.10.2008
Whangarei (New Zealand) Mayor backs ban on GMOs
Whangarei Mayor Stan Semenoff has strongly endorsed calls for the Northland and Auckland Regional Councils to ban field trialing or release of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) until all issues surrounding them are resolved. Whangarei District Council’s environment committee today unanimously supported an inter-council working party recommendation to prohibit GMO trialing and release until liability, economic costs and benefits, environmental risks and cultural/community concerns were satisfied.
10.10.2008
Far North District Council (New Zealand) joins regional survey on GMOs
The Far North District Council will take part in regional consultation to find out what people think about the outdoor use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in Northland. [...] Far North Mayor Wayne Brown says there are too many unanswered questions regarding the use of GMOs and their release into the environment and the Government needs to take a lead role rather than leaving the burden with local authorities. ”We’ve got enough to think about attending to our core business like roads, water, sewerage and waste,” he said. ”We are not prepared to accept liability for GMO use and commit our ratepayers to accept financial responsibility for cleaning up environmental damage and compensating for economic loss that could result from their use.
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
Hawai’i County (USA) bans genetic modification of taro, coffee
The Hawai’i County Council has voted unanimously to ban the genetic modification of taro and coffee. The council on Wednesday voted 9-0 in favor of a bill making it illegal to ”test, propagate, cultivate, raise, plant, grow, introduce or release” genetically engineered taro and coffee. About 70 residents testified on the bill in Hilo, while about 30 spoke via teleconference from council offices in Waimea and Kona. A vast majority spoke in favor of the ban. The council has already passed a resolution asking state lawmakers to prohibit genetically modified taro and coffee. But two separate measures that would have done so failed in the Legislature this year.
- West Hawaii Today, USA (09.10.2008): Council bans GMO taro, coffee
- The Molokai Dispatch, USA (10.10.2008): GMO: A technology of agri-business
- Star Bulletin, USA (09.10.2008): Big Isle debates genetic crop bill
- The Honolulu Advertiser, USA (10.10.2008): Hawai’i County bans genetic modification of taro, coffee
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.
10.10.2008
Food Authority critic calls for regained control of regulation in New Zealand
The Sustainability Council is calling for New Zealand to regain control of its food safety regulation, by renegotiating a trans-Tasman agreement on food standards. The council says the national regulator, the Food Safety Authority (NZFSA), last year shopped for a more palatable assessment of the safety of a genetically-engineered maize after it received an unfavourable evaluation from state science company, Environmental Science and Research (ESR). ”New Zealand can, in theory, go its own way and decline approval for a particular new food,” said the council’s executive director, Simon Terry.
- The New Zealand Herald, New Zealand (10.10.2008): Food Authority critic calls for regained control of regulation
- The New Zealand Herald, New Zealand (10.10.2008): Lobbyist queries agency actions over GM corn
- Sustainability Council of New Zealand, New Zealand (10.10.2008): ESR questions safety of a GM food - NZFSA shops for ”updated” advice
- Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand, New Zealand (23.09.2008): Pharmac, GE free, ownership at risk in US trade deal
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.
