In
This Issue:
EU RULES
ON GM COTTON SAFETY
The Scientific
Steering Committee (SSC) of the European Com
The broad
questions tackled were (1) the features or characteristics of fibers
derived from the genetic modification process of cotton plants that
significantly influence the risk assessment of products from these
fibers; and (2) potential differences in the safety profiles of feminine
hygiene, incontinence, medical and fabric products made with non-GM
cotton.
The SSC
concluded that there is no evidence that the genetic modifications
introduced into the two GM cotton lines awaiting authorization in
Europe could result in the formation of GM cotton fibers which will
be different from their non-GM counterparts. In addition, the SSC
considered that the available analytical evidence suggests that the
protein, be it endogenous or introduced into cotton by genetic modification,
should be denatured or removed during processing of cotton fibers
and their transformation into final products.
The SSC
sees no reason for any additional risk of such products from GM cotton
interacting in intimate contact with the skin, vagina mucosa, endometrium,
or other tissues as compared to products from non-GM cotton.
The Committee
recommended that in the future, if genetically modified plant products
are considered for use in medical and hygiene cotton products, risk
assessments should be carried out on a case-by-case basis.
ELEVEN COUNTRIES
TO SEQUENCE BANANA GENOME
Several
countries are all set to sequence the banana genome. The end goal
is to develop a disease resistant variety of the plant that serves
as staple food for almost half a billion people worldwide. Banana
remains as the fourth most important food crop.
A collaborative
effort among Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Britain, the Czech Republic,
France, Germany, Italy, India, Mexico and the US will try to map
the 11 chromosomes of the banana genome over a 5 year period. Scientists
from these countries met in Arlington, Virginia to discuss ways of
using new genetic data to grow bananas that are able to resist pests
and diseases.
Black
Sigatoka, a dreaded fungus, is responsible for reducing banana production
by 30 to 50 percent. By developing resistant banana varieties, it
is possible to do away with fungicides and pesticides, says Emile
Frison of the International Network for the Improvement of Banana
and Plaintain. She adds that not using pesticides could protect farmers'
health as well as the environment. The price of imported bananas
could even be reduced by 27 percent.
AERNI REPORT
SAYS BIOTECH CONSIDERED POWERFUL TOOL
Survey
respondents from Mexico and the Philippines consider biotechnology
a powerful new tool to address problems in agriculture, nutrition
and the environment. Unlike those in Europe, they do not share a
fear of potential health risks for consumers. Rather, they are concerned
about corporate control of the technology, and the potential impact
of such crops on the countries' rich biological diversity.
Philipp
Aerni, research fellow of the Science, Technology, and Innovation
Program of Harvard University, studied public attitudes towards agricultural
biotechnology in developing countries: a comparison between Mexico
and the Philippines.
Respondents
voiced the need to create their own domestic research capacities
rather than simply importing bioengineered crops from developed countries.
Hence, they could design varieties that are more appropriate to their
agricultural realities.
Survey
results indicate a need for a global system of governance of agricultural
biotechnology that should not just rely on Western views. The system
needs to consider the perspective of the stakeholders in developing
countries.
The full
report can be accessed at http://www2.cid.Harvard.edu/cidbiotech/
dp/ discussion_aerni.pdf
USDA LAUNCHES
WEBSITE ON FOOD SAFETY RESEARCH
A database
of US food safety research projects since 1998 is now available on
the internet. The US Department of Agriculture recently launched
a new web site (http://www.nal.usda.gov/fsrio)
which provides detailed information on these projects including financial
data and accomplishments by US Federal agencies. Also on the site
are program and planning information, various food safety reports,
food safety news and information, and more than 100 links to other
important food safety research information.mission was asked to advise
on two issues related to the potential use of genetically modified
(GM) cotton in feminine hygiene products, in baby or adult incontinence
products and other garments.
FAO AGREES
TO SAVE CROP BIODIVERSITY
The Commission
on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture which is part of the
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reached an agreement to try
to save the world's diversity of agricultural crops. The US agreed
publicly to mandatory payments by plant breeders and geneticists
developing new crop varieties in return for access to public seed
banks. Seed banks lend out crop seeds at no charge, enabling research
into new varieties of plants to increase resistance to disease and
curb the impact of global warming.
Jose Exquinas-Alcazar
director of the said Commission said that "this international
undertaking is a milestone - it will allow the conservation of genetic
resources for future generations." He noted that this was important
because agricultural diversity was being lost at an alarming rate.
The treaty
will be submitted for adoption by member states at the biennial FAO
conference meeting in November 2001. The areas covered by the agreement
include facilitating access to a broad list of crops, sharing information
and technology to benefit developing countries, and protecting farmers'
rights. For more information visit the FAO web site at: http://www.fao.org/news/2001/
010703-e.htm
CHINESE RESEARCHERS
DEVELOP GM RICE STRAINS
A team
of researchers from the Institute of Nuclear Agricultural Sciences
of the Zhejiang University in Hangzhou, China have tested two strains
of genetically modified rice that can kill moths attacking the plant
in just two days. Led by Hua Jia Chi, the team revealed that transgenic
rice plants with a synthetic cry1Ab gene from Bacillus thuringiensis
were highly resistant to eight lepidopteran rice pest species. They
also developed a "detached-leaf bioassay," a rapid and
easy method for determining the resistance of Bt rice to stem borers.
INDONESIAN FARMERS
TO HARVEST FIRST COMMERCIAL BT COTTON
Farmers
in seven districts of South Sulawesi are anticipating a good yield
when they harvest their first commercial planting of genetically
modified (GM) cotton. This event is a first in Southeast Asia. Some
4,000 hectares were initially planted to insect- protected Bt cotton.
The built-in insecticidal protein provides plants with season-long
protection from budworms and bollworms.
Field
trials conducted in 2000 by the Gadjah Mada and Hasanuddin Universities
in Indonesia showed positive results. The Bt cotton variety outperformed
the local variety Kanesia 7 in 15 locations. It yielded as much as
3 tons per hectare compared with less than two tons using the local
variety. Effective control against bollworm was evident. Frequency
of spraying was also reduced from as much as 7 to 12 times per planting
season to only 0-3 times per planting season.
The Indonesian
Minister of Agriculture issued a decree in February 2001 which allows
for limited planting of Bt cotton in South Sulawesi for a period
of one year.
A team
led by Dr. Ibrahim Manwan, entomologist of the Hasanuddin University,
was designated by the government to monitor the planting of Bt cotton
and to forward recommendations on its performance.
SOUTHEAST ASIAN
BIOTECH CENTERS MEET IN MANILA
Country
representatives of Biotechnology Information Centers (BICs) from
Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines and Thailand met at the Dusit Hotel
Nikko in Manila, Philippines to update each other on efforts being
done to share knowledge on crop biotechnology.
The Regional
Network Workshop for the Southeast Asian Biotechnology Information
Centers was part of the monitoring function of the Global Knowledge
Center on Crop Biotechnology. Participants learned from each other's
experiences and obtained inputs to further improve their work.
BICs were
set up in 2000 to respond dynamically to the needs of the respective
countries for information on all aspects of crop biotech, particularly
to promote and advance a broader public understanding of this field.
The participants
agreed to form a Southeast Asian network to facilitate active exchange
of information and experiences among them. For more information on
this network please contact knowledge.center@cgiar.org.
Visit the Knowledge Center website at http://www.isaaa.org/kc. |
