In
This Issue:
ADB REPORT:
INCREASE INVESTMENTS IN BIOTECH
The Asian Development Bank's (ADB) publication entitled Agricultural
Biotechnology, Poverty Reduction, and Food Security says that
governments and funding agencies
should continue and increase their investments in biotechnology as a means
of achieving their goals of poverty reduction and food security in Asia over
the next 25 years.
To ensure that agricultural biotechnology will help Asian farmers, the following
general recommendations were forwarded:
* Address problems of small farmers in the rainfed and marginal areas as well
as in irrigated areas
* Focus on economically important orphan crops, high value crops, and livestock
to increase their productivity
* Develop low cost, appropriate technologies for small farmers, particularly
the development of high yielding technologies adapted to rainfed and marginal
areas
* Develop, test, and release technologies that will pose minimal or no risks
to human health and the environment
* Strengthen the extension, delivery and regulatory systems to ensure that
improved varieties and technologies will be disseminated widely to small farmers.
Governments in Asia were urged to show a strong commitment
to agriculture and rural development and establish clear
policies in biotech R&D. They were
also asked to set up effective biosafety regulatory and enforcement systems
to ensure that risks are minimized. Likewise, governments were encouraged to
organize dialogue with non-government organizations, consumers and farmers
on the benefits, risks, and opportunities in the use of new biotechnology.
NZ FAVORS GM
The New Zealand Royal Commission into Genetic Modification
has finally released its recommendations to the Cabinet.
It stated that "genetic modification (GM)
holds exciting promise, not only for conquering diseases, eliminating pests
and contributing to the knowledge economy, but for enhancing the international
competitiveness of the primary industries so important to our country's economic
well being." The Commission said that it would like to see this happen in an
atmosphere that "encourages the coexistence of all forms of agriculture." Nevertheless,
it stressed that "we should proceed carefully by minimizing and managing risks."
The Commission further called for the establishment of a Commissioner for Biotechnology
with the role of Public Education.
The inquiry is said to be the first of its kind in the
world. Prime Minister Helen Clark said that the government's
initial response to the report will
be released by August 31, 2001. This period signals the end of a moratorium
on field trials or the release of GMO's in the environment. The final report
is scheduled to be released by November.
More details are available at http://www.gmcommission.govt.nz
PHILIPPINE AND TAIWAN PRESIDENTS
FAVOR BIOTECH
Biotechnology can be a means to "sustain food security, provide equitable access
to health services, develop industries, and still preserve the environment." This
in a nutshell is the Philippine government's stand on biotechnology.
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo approved a policy statement
on biotechnology seeking to promote research and development
on genetically modified (GM) crops.
Biotechnology has been identified as part of the government's efforts to increase
agricultural productivity. In addition, the policy seeks to ensure safety and
protection to human and the environment.
The government's official stance now puts into perspective
the opposing opinions on the use of biotechnology.
In related developments, Taiwan's President Chen Shui-bian also said that biotechnology
will be one of the biggest businesses in the future. In a speech before scientists
and business leaders attending a biotechnology seminar, the President lamented
that the country's resources in biotechnology were lagging behind other developed
economies with only about 4,000 people doing research in biotechnology.
GM TOMATO
GROWS IN SALTY WATER
The world's first tomato that grows in salty water is the latest breakthrough
from the University of California at Davis. As reported in Nature Biotechnology,
researchers lead by Eduardo Blumwald introduced into the tomato plant a gene
from the plant Arabidopsis that controls a protein able to catch excess
salt before it inflicts damage on a plant. "Salty water is generally toxic
to plants, but we have found a way to increase the tomato's ability to transport
it away and isolate it from the rest of the plant cell," Blumwald explained.
The salt-tolerant tomato helps solve a major agricultural problem since crop
production is limited by salinity on up to 40% of the world's irrigated land.
Blumwald also indicated that the GM tomato can grow in soil irrigated by water
that is about 50 times saltier than normal. Another potential use of the modified
tomatoes is to reclaim damaged soil by soaking up the salts.
The discovery is good news for lands threatened by growing salt deposits such
as India, China, Pakistan and the western US where salts are not regularly
flushed by rainfall. In addition, the GM tomatoes signal the possibility that
other crops can also be genetically modified for use in areas that have salty
irrigation water and salt-damaged soils.
AUSTRALIAN SURVEY:
GM SELLS IF CLEAR HEALTH BENEFIT
Genetically modified foods that have lower sugar content. How about lower cholesterol
in oils or foods that improve nutrition? These are examples of GM foods that
Australian consumers would readily accept if offered to them.
Surveys conducted by Biotechnology Australia indicate a greater consumer acceptance
of genetically modified foods if health benefits are anticipated. However,
if consumers perceive that the motive behind genetic modification is profit,
then the product will not sell.
"If a GM food or crop appears to have been done to no direct consumer benefit,
there's a good chance it may not be picked up," Craig Cormick of Biotechnology
Australia said. "Consumers want products they get benefits from, not products
that will benefit a grower or a company."
The latest survey shows a continued increase in the acceptance of GM foods
in general. Those who said they would eat GM foods rose to 49% from 35% in
2000 and 28% in 1999.
CHINA DEVELOPS
IMPROVED HYBRID RICE STRAIN
A team of Chinese researchers led by Yuan Longping have bred an improved strain
of super hybrid early rice. It yields 55% higher than that of common rice or
about 9,300 kg per hectare. The new strain is also superior in quality and
is not subjected to early aging.
Yuan is director general of the China National Hybrid Rice Research and Development
Center. He is one among several Asians who will be awarded by the Ramon Magsaysay
Foundation for his contribution to food security in Asia.
INDIAN S&T
ADVISER SAYS GM TECH SHOWS PROMISE
P.K. Ghosh, adviser of India's Department of Biotechnology, says that genetic
engineering technology shows promise of reducing farm production costs by minimizing
the use of chemical pesticides, simplifying agronomic practices, and improving
productivity by enhancing the value of crops.
As cited in The Hindu, Ghosh explained that Indian farmers will immensely benefit
if they are empowered with GE seeds that have capacities to work with relatively
fewer inputs. |
