News
08.01.2009
Agency condemns Sweden’s GMO labeling as ’misleading’
Swedish consumers are being misled by labels falsely claiming that food products are free of genetically modified organisms (GMO), according to a new report. Sweden’s National Food Administration recently tested the contents of 29 different products in six municipalities around the country. [...] Ten products had labels proclaiming they were GMO-free, yet four of them were found to have traces of GMOs.
08.01.2009
Insulin grown in GE pharma plants could help meet diabetic demand
The world’s first clinical trial of human insulin produced in plants is starting in the UK. The aim is to provide a new source of insulin to meet the rapidly growing demand from diabetics. SemBioSys, a Canadian biotechnology company, has developed a genetically modified variety of safflower that makes high concentrations of human insulin in its seeds. Thirty healthy volunteers are taking part in the inaugural trial, which is being run in Manchester by Icon, a contract research company.
08.01.2009
A critical look at Golden Rice
The first generation of Golden Rice was developed nearly 10 years ago. Golden Rice is genetically modified so that it generates carotenoids which the human body synthesizes into vitamin A. This variety of rice is supposed to combat vitamin A deficiency in developing countries. Current research has shown that most questions about the quality and safety of this product are unanswered even today.
08.01.2009
Monsanto’s drought-tolerant corn shows 6-10% higher yield
Monsanto Co said Wednesday it filed for U.S. regulatory approval for what could be the world’s first drought-tolerant corn, a product that agricultural companies around the globe are racing to roll out amid fears of global warming and the needs of a growing population. Monsanto said it submitted its product to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) for regulatory clearance. It is working in conjunction with German-based BASF on the project.
08.01.2009
Why is seed maker Monsanto seeing rich profit growth while the economy falters?
But then Wednesday rolled around, and seed maker Monsanto Co. reported a quarterly profit that soared more than 50 percent to $556 million. The St. Louis-based company’s stock then rose $13, or 19 percent, to $87.05. Is Monsanto on to something the rest of the economy hasn’t figured out? Not really. Analysts say the secret for the world’s largest seed maker lies in good products, excellent sales timing and an industry that can be somewhat recession proof.
- Star Tribune, USA (07.01.2009): Meltdown 101: Why is seed maker Monsanto seeing rich profit growth while the economy falters?
- The Associated Press, USA (08.01.2009): Monsanto 1Q profit doubles, outlook strong
- Reuters, UK (07.01.2009): Monsanto quarterly profit beats views
- Bloomberg, USA (07.01.2009): Monsanto jumps 18% on earnings, higher 2009 forecast
- Mediaweek, USA (07.01.2009): Weather.com, Monsanto seed farmer-focused channel
08.01.2009
Different Roundup formulations lead to embryonic, umbilical cord and placental cell death
For the first time, the toxicity mechanisms of four different Roundup formulations were studied in human cells. They act at doses where they are not herbicides anymore. The cells were neonatal cells freshly isolated from the umbilical cord, or less sensitive cell lines specially used to measure pollutant toxicity. The various components of these major herbicides were tested because they are among the most common in the world. Their residues are among the major pollutants, and moreover they are authorized as residues contaminating GM foods and feed at the tested levels.
07.01.2009
Increased indebtedness leads to farmer suicides in India
Increased indebtedness is a major cause for the spurt in farmers’ suicides during recent times across a number of states, according a recent report of the National Commission for Enterprises in the Unorganised Sector (NCEUS). A marginal farmer is defined as one having landholding less than 2.5 acre and a small farmer is defined as one having less than 5 acre. In India, a majority of the farmers are marginal and small.
07.01.2009
New president of Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association to promote GE wheat
Kevin Bender of Bentley, Alberta has been elected to lead the Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association. [...] Bender says market choice will continue to be a major issue, but another item of interest is promoting the benefits of genetically modified (GM) wheat. [...] As the world population continues to grow, Bender says farmers will need to produce more food.
07.01.2009
First Indian Bt-cotton variety ready
Finally, after about 12 years of research and field trials, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is ready with the country’s first indigenously developed genetically modified cotton. It is a variety called Bikaneri Nerma (BN-Bt). ICAR has already green signalled it for commercial cultivation. The council is also ready to licence or transfer the technology to the seed companies in both public and private sector. The BN-Bt seeds will be available to the farmers by beginning of March.
07.01.2009
Indian Government admits import of GM crops without scientific test
The Central government has admitted before Supreme Court that there was large-scale import of genetically engineered food materials without any scientific examination of its impact on environment and human beings. Petitioner Vandana Shiva in a rejoinder claimed the government has conceded to the averments made out in the writ petition namely that large scale import of genetically engineered foods are being made into India without any checks.
07.01.2009
Increased indebtedness leads to farmer suicides in India
Increased indebtedness is a major cause for the spurt in farmers’ suicides during recent times across a number of states, according a recent report of the National Commission for Enterprises in the Unorganised Sector (NCEUS). A marginal farmer is defined as one having landholding less than 2.5 acre and a small farmer is defined as one having less than 5 acre. In India, a majority of the farmers are marginal and small.
07.01.2009
Optimism remains high on plunging Monsanto Company
While Monsanto Company has had a better 2008 than the S&P 500 Index (SPX), it hasn’t exactly earned the optimism that is prevalent on the Street. In fact, MON has dropped more than 37% (compared to the 38% slip in the broad market index), falling along with its 10-week moving average. The stock has plunged 51% from its June high, and is currently finding some support at the 70 level.
07.01.2009
Monsanto is ready to round up seed patent violators in Canada
Monsanto Canada Inc. will go to court on January 15 to settle a case with four farmers who allegedly illegally grew, harvested, and sold products developed from patented Monsanto seeds. The McGill Tribune contacted the farmers involved, but none were willing to comment before they go to court. The January hearing follows Monsanto’s December settlement with three Quebec farmers growing Roundup Ready canola without a license. The farmers agreed to pay $200 per acre.
06.01.2009
Anger over first large-scale GM canola trial in Western Australia
Farmers who don’t grow genetically modified canola will be forced to sue those that do over economic losses in a move that could divide communities, a farmers’ group says. [...] ”It’s a blatant disregard for the process that was promised,” spokeswoman for the Network of Concerned Farmers Julie Newman said. Ms Newman is part of an industry reference group that was finalising the report which was expected to be released by the end of this year.
- The Sunday Times, Australia (24.12.2009): Anger over first large-scale GM canola trial
- Government of Western Australia, Australia (23.12.2009): State Government approves small scale commercial GM canola trials
- Gene Ethics, Australia (23.12.2009): WA loses GM-free premiums and market edge
- Network of Concerned Farmers, Australia (23.12.2009): W.A. Minister ignores risk management
- Conservation Council of Western Australia, Australia (23.01.2009): GM canola trials cannot be contained
- The West Australian, Australia (26.12.2009): Widen range of GM licences, urge farmers
- CropLife Australia, Australia (23.12.2009): Christmas comes early for West Australian canola farmers
- Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Australia (24.01.2009): CBH plays down GM contamination fears
- Cowra Community News, Australia (31.12.2009): All eyes focused on GM Canola yields
06.01.2009
GM contaminated crop grown in blunder sparks fears gene will spread to other fields in the UK
A crop of oilseed rape contaminated with GM seeds has been illegally grown on a Somerset farm. Critics of the controversial technology worry that the error could threaten significant genetically-modified pollution of fields, weeds and honey. It seems that seeds sown on a Somerset farm last year were tainted with genes from a GM plant, probably because of cross-contamination in the U.S. The food and farming department Defra identified the error when the crop was harvested this summer and a link was drawn to another contamination incident involving the same seed in Scotland.
06.01.2009
Azerbaijan is subjected to all GMO use risks
Today independent research centre ELS and Green movement of Georgia have held a roundtable in Baku on the theme ”Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) & Biosafety of Eastern Europe, Caucasus, and Central Asia”. Centre’s head Irada Yagubova said that the Caucasus region is open for all risks associated with GMO. ”Azerbaijan has neither a biosafety law nor labs and a fund to deal with this problem,” Yagubova said.
- Azerbaijan Business Center, Azerbeijan (19.12.2009): Azerbaijan is subjected to all GMO use risks
- Azerbaijan Business Center, Azerbeijan (26.12.2009): Azerbaijani consumers are not informed about presence of gene-modified organisms in products
- Azerbaijan Business Center, Azerbeijan (26.12.2009): ELS centre to monitor Azerbaijani food market to establish GMO availability
06.01.2009
Biowatch (South Africa) takes its battle for GE crop trial costs to Constitutional Court
A NONGOVERNMENTAL organisation that won a court battle but was ordered to pay legal costs will now approach the Constitutional Court to argue why it should not pay the legal costs. [...] In February 2005, acting Judge Eric Dunn ruled that, although the general rule was that the costs should follow the result, he felt that the manner in which some of the trust’s requests for information were formulated had convinced him that it should not be granted a costs order in its favour.
06.01.2009
All eyes on Kenya’s President as controversial GMO bill awaits enactment
President Kibaki is facing a litmus test on whether to assent his signature to two controversial Bills passed by Parliament, but which will impact heavily on the country’s socio-economic wellbeing. The passing of the Biosafety Bill 2008 and the Anti-Counterfeit Bill 2008 moments before Parliament went on recess has solicited both jubilation and condemnation. So far, there have been street protests against the Biosafety Bill that aims to introduce genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in the country with calls to the President not to sign it into law.
06.01.2009
BIO-EARN promoting biotechnology in Ethiopia
BIO-EARN, an East African regional network for the development of Biotechnology, announced that it is working toward promoting the application of biotechnology in agriculture, industry, and environmental management in order to contribute for the sustainable development of the country.
BIO-EARN project and research coordinator, Shumu Teferra told WIC that [...] the project is also working to release virus-resistant cassava and sweet potato varieties and innovate seed delivery system for sweet potato and cassava at the Awash Melkasa research institution.
05.01.2009
GE food no solution for food crisis, says Vatican’s Cardinal Martino
The responsibility for the food crisis ”is in the hands of unscrupulous people who focus only on profit and certainly not on the well-being of all people,” said Cardinal Martino. A more just system of distribution and not the manufacturing of genetically modified foods is the key to addressing the problem, he said. ”If one wants to pursue GMOs (genetically modified organisms) one can freely do so, but without hiding that it’s a way to make more profits,” he said.
