The scientific and policy debate on the potential benefits and risks of biotechnologies remains polarized. As more genetically modified crops, insects, and fish are developed, the 2000 Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to the Convention on Biological Diversity provides a forum to monitor developments and address risk assessment and risk management …
Seven grassroots organisations from Bangladesh and India have expressed firm resolve to promote use of indigenous seeds, crops and foods to address malnutrition and health problems. In a joint statement signed by three women activists on behalf of the seven organisations on Saturday also denounced cultivation of genetically modified (GM) …
British scientific researchers demonstrated that genetically modified DNA from crops can find its way into human gut bacteria, raising possible health concerns. This is because antibiotic-resistant marker genes are inserted with GM material, which could cause a person to be resistant to antibiotic medicines. The study was conducted at Newcastle …
New EU rules that would allow member states to ban or restrict the cultivation of genetically modified (GM) crops in their territory have moved a step closer, following their formal adoption by the European Council. Under existing rules, member states can only ban or restrict the use of a genetically …
Motion to create national GM contamination insurance scheme comes after farmer Steve Marsh claims he lost organic certification after GM canola drifted on to his land In May last year, Marsh failed in his bid to sue former friend Michael Baxter, claiming he lost organic certification for more than half …
EU rules that prevent genetically modified crops from being grown in the UK, even after they pass rigorous safety tests, are not fit for purpose and should be totally reformed, British lawmakers said on Thursday. Members of parliament's science and technology committee said the EU regulation is driven more by …
On a fenced plot not far from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's home, a field of mustard is in full yellow bloom, representing his government's reversal of an effective ban on field trials of genetically modified (GM) food crops. The GM mustard planted in the half-acre field in the grounds …
US agencies, funders such as the Gates Foundation, and agribusiness giant Monsanto are trying to force unwilling African nations to accept expensive and insufficiently tested Genetically Modified (GM) foods and crops, according to a new report released. The US, the world's top producer of GM crops, is seeking new markets …
(Reuters) - China will continue to promote research into genetically modified crops while maintaining strict controls on safety of the technology, a top agriculture official said on Tuesday, underscoring Beijing's cautious approach towards biotechnology. The comments came after a major policy document, known as the "number one document", called for …
Genetically modified plants created by British scientists to contain health boosting Omega-3 have been declared a safe alternative to fish oil. A crop of camelina (false flax) has been spliced with genes to produce an oil rich in fatty acid normally only found in fish. It is the first example …
US scientists say they have taken the first step towards making "safer" GMOs that cannot spread in the wild using synthetic biology. They have re-written the genetic code of bacteria to use only synthetic chemicals to grow. The GM bacteria would die if they escaped into nature. The research, published …
Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are increasingly deployed at large scales and in open environments. Genetic biocontainment strategies are needed to prevent unintended proliferation of GMOs in natural ecosystems. Existing biocontainment methods are insufficient because they impose evolutionary pressure on the organism to eject the safeguard by spontaneous mutagenesis or horizontal …
Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are increasingly used in research and industrial systems to produce high-value pharmaceuticals, fuels and chemicals. Genetic isolation and intrinsic biocontainment would provide essential biosafety measures to secure these closed systems and enable safe applications of GMOs in open systems, which include bioremediation4 and probiotics. Although safeguards …
New findings could actually improve practices for current biotech crops. Scientists have discovered that multiple toxins in transgenic crops don't help when it comes to pest control. Many crops have been genetically engineered to produce proteins from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). This bacterium naturally occurs in soils, and can …
Monsanto Co. received final U.S. approval on Thursday for herbicide-tolerant crops to be used with a new herbicide the company says will fight problematic weed resistance on farm fields, but critics say will only worsen the problems. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) said …
The European Parliament is today expected to clear the way for controversial ‘Frankenfood’ crops to be grown in Britain. MEPs will vote to clear the block on growing controversial genetically modified (GM) crops that has effectively stopped commercial cultivation for a decade. The new rules will allow each country to …
Genetically modified food should be grown in Britain because it is more ‘eco-friendly’, the Environment Secretary claimed yesterday. Publicly backing the controversial technology for the first time since she was appointed six months ago, Elizabeth Truss said the UK should take steps to speed up its development. Her claims were …
Permits renewed for research on several rice and corn strains, a move hailed by some scientists as a big step towards commercialisation The central government has renewed permits allowing scientists to grow three varieties of genetically modified rice and corn on the mainland, more than three months after they expired, …
There is no ban on GM crop field trials either by the government or the Supreme Court, environment minister Prakash Javadekar on Wednesday said. The minister informed Lok Sabha that the government is of the view that research in GM and confined field trials for generating bio-safety data with all …
