In
This Issue:
Reports
Indicate Positive Effects of Biotech Crops
The US
National Center for Food and Agriculture Policy is coming out with
a report in September saying that biotechnology has produced some
dramatic results against viruses and insects that continue to wreck
havoc on farmers fields. Funded by the biotech industry, the report
focuses on the effect plants have on harmful insects. Biotech crops
were found to be of better quality and required fewer applications
of insecticides.
Case studies
were done on 30 varieties of crops that include corn, cotton, papaya
and raspberries. Leonad P.Gianessi, Center president, said that biotechnology
has been applied to virtually every crop planted in the US and the "technology
has been working perfectly."
Gianessi
added that despite savings on the use of pesticides, farmers are
often reluctant to use GM crops often attributed to public fears
about food safety. Ironically, "they have no problem selling
regular sweet corn even though it has been sprayed 40 times".
The Center estimates that by using Bt corn for instance, production
would not only increase but substantially reduce the use of insecticides.
Meanwhile,
the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development is also
coming out with a report showing that biotechnology is an environmental-friendly
and more economical process. Evidence is forwarded that biotechnology
can reduce pollution as well.
Netherlands
Holds First Open Debate on GMOs . . .
The Parliamentary
Commission on Biotechnology and Food has just organized the first
open debate on food and genes in The Netherlands. It is attracting
both pro and anti-GMO groups. Jan Terlouw, chairman of the Commission
said that they wanted to know what the Dutch population thinks about
biotechnology. In the process they would be able to answer questions
posed by the general public and give appropriate advise to government.
A recent
survey, according to Terlouw, indicates that 70% of the populace
think that a debate on biotechnology is important. The same number
worry about safety and that there is insufficient information available.
Some 65% regard biotechnology as high risk. About 45% perceive is
as useful while over 50% believe that biotech can help feed the Third
World.
The Dutch
government is supporting biotechnology. About $50 million subsidy
is being spent on biotech industries and another $75 million to investments
in biotech research.
.
. . While US Holds Biotech Industry Meeting
Biotechnology
experts congregated in San Diego, California for one of the world's
largest biotechnology industry meeting. One major realization of
the Biotechnology Industry Organization meeting was that the use
of genetically modified crops is rapidly changing the face of US
agriculture. However there is still much to be done to address public
distrust.
"In
order to raise public confidence, there needs to be more information
about the risks and benefits of GM crops," said Doug Gurian-Sherman,
co-director of the Biotechnology Project Center for Science in the
Public Interest.
Other
participants asked regulatory agencies to communicate the advantages
of genetically modified crops. "Instead of piling on more oversight,
how about actively advocating the fact that the government recognizes
that this is safe technology," said Sue Ferenc, vice president
of scientific and regulatory policy at the Grocery Manufacturers
of America. Ferenc represents a group that supports mandatory notification
and safety endorsements of genetically engineered crops and voluntary
labeling of biotech foods.
Thailand
Resumes Papaya Field Trials
Field
trials on genetically modified papayas has resumed in Thailand. This
was announced by Agriculture Minister Nathee Klipthong. Earlier,
a cabinet resolution put field trials on hold when nongovernment
organizations demanded that all tests be stopped due to the lack
of a biosafety law and appropriate preventive measures.
The Department
of Agriculture will conduct field trials on virus-resistant papayas
before the product is tried out on farmers' fields. It will take
time however, before the product will be available in the market.
Monsanto
Shares Genetic Info on Soybean
Important
genetic information will soon be available to accelerate the development
of a soybean with improved oils and more protein. Monsanto Company
will provide a series of bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC)-end
sequences for the soybean genome to the United Soybean Board. In
turn, the Board has agreed to provide the genetic sequence data to
non-profit Better Bean Initiative participants who are funded through
public resources.
Scientists
use BAC-end sequences to identify the location of specific genetic
markers on chromosomes within a genome. Monsanto's donation is expected
to contribute to unlocking the most beneficial traits within the
soybean genome. Don Latham, chairman of the Better Bean Initiative
advisory panel and immediate past chairman of the United Soybean
Board said that "It will not only quickly accelerate our goal
to develop the highest quality soybean for US soy producers, but
reduce the amount of time and money it will take to achieve this
goal."
Zambia
Prepares Genetically Modified Organisms Policy
Scientists
in Zambia are working on a policy framework to regulate and monitor
the importation, manufacture, use and release of Genetically Modified
Organisms to minimize risks to humans.
A biosafety
policy document is being finalized to enable the government to sign
the Cartagena Protocol, a world treaty related to the Convention
on Biological Diversity.
Dorothy
Mulenga, a researcher at the National Institute for Scientific and
Industrial Research in Lusaka says that once the policy framework
is approved, a National Biosafety Competent Authority would be created
as a supervisory body.
A national
task force was created in 1999 which after reviewing documents and
reports, recommended the need to formulate a national policy on biotechnology
and biosafety. Once the laws are in place, the necessary capacity
to implement the biosafety framework will be pursued.
Sri
Lanka To Suspend Food Ban
Sri Lanka
announced that it would comply with a World Trade Organization request
to suspend one of the world's toughest bans on genetically modified
(GM) food. S. Nagiah, chief food inspector of the Health Ministry,
announced that the ban which went into effect May 1 will be lifted
to give its trading partners 60 days to prepare for the restrictions.
He clarified that "This is merely a suspension consequent to
some communication with the WTO and we are not backtracking." ¨
Book
on African Biotechnology Out
Florence
Wambugu, director of the International Service for the Acquisition
of Agri-biotech Applications AfriCenter, has recently released her
book entitled Modifying Africa: How Biotechnology Can Alleviate Poverty
and Hunger: A Case Study from Kenya.
Wambugu's
book deals on how biotechnology "represents the only lifeline
of hope for most poor people in Africa". She discussed how it
has made a major impact on poverty and hunger and its great potential
to alleviate environmental degradation. In a friendly and non-scientific
language, she explains how fragile forest and rangeland ecosystems
of Africa are benefiting from biotechnology. |
