In
This Issue:
HIGHLIGHTS OF
BIOTECH IN AFRICA CONFERENCE
Biotechnology can play a positive role in the development of Africa. The technology
should be implemented according to the continent's priorities and in a way
that will address identified needs. Safe and responsible implementation requires
effective national policy and biosafety frameworks.
These were some of the points emphasized during the Biotechnology in Africa
Conference held in Johannesburg, Africa as reported by Jocelyn Webster of AfricaBio.
Over 200 delegates and media representatives from 17 countries attended.
Other points considered during the conference include:
* Extensive public awareness is required to address the concerns of stakeholders
about the new technology, highlighting biosafety measures and the benefits
of biotechnology products.
* Information on biotechnology and biosafety should be clear, accurate, holistic
and balanced.
* Strong African participation is needed from all stakeholders at all international
and regional meetings to ensure that the African voice is heard and considered.
* Partnerships, collaboration, networking and transparency will maximize the
use of resources.
* Harmonization of technical activities and laws will benefit trade on the
continent.
SOUTH AFRICA
PREPARES DRAFT POLICY FOR GM FOODS
A draft policy on genetically modified (GM) food and products
has just been prepared by South Africa. The documents states
that biotechnology will improve
access to and affordability of health care, provide sufficient nutrition at
affordable costs, create jobs in manufacturing, and protect and enrich the
environment.
The draft strategy which has the support of the country's Department of Agriculture,
provides for the mandatory labeling of GM food and products, including specifications
with regard to the composition, mode of storage, levels of allergens and toxins,
and guidelines regarding human of animal genes.
The South African government has allotted R45 M or US $4.9
M as part of the overall strategy on biotechnology and
an additional R182 M (US $19.7) for biotech
research and development. At present there are 600 biotech research projects
in the fields of agriculture, food, veterinary science, the environment and
chemistry.
EU: GM SOYBEAN
SAFE
The European Commission (EU) says that genetically modified
soybeans are safe. Andrea Dahmen, EU spokesperson, noted
that "from a scientific point of view
there is no reason to say the product is unsafe for the plant itself or for
those who eat it."
The statement came about after Greenpeace called for the suspension of Roundup
Ready, a GM soybean in the light of research findings of Belgian scientists
of a previously unidentified gene fragment in the said soybean. Dahmen stressed
that the Commission's scientific plant committee would evaluate the results
of the Belgian study as a matter of routine.
Marc De Loose, researcher from the Belgium's Center for Agricultural Research
had earlier stated that his team's work into GM soybeans, had not cast doubt
on their safety. He clarified that there was no evidence to suggest that the
unidentified genetic sequence could lead to unknown and unpredictable results.
PNAS PAPERS:
LOW POTENTIAL RISK OF BT CORN TO MONARCH BUTTERFLY
Extensive collaborative research by scientists from universities
and research institutions in the US and Canada have concluded
that potential risks of Bt
corn to monarchs is low. Results of these studies are available in the journal,
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
The following papers are also available online at this address: http://www.pnas.org/papbyrecent.html
* Sensitivity of Monarch larvae to Bt proteins and pollen in laboratory conditions
* Levels of corn pollen on milkweeds in and near cornfields
* Exposure level assessments in national monarch breeding habitats
* Impact of Bt corn pollen on monarch larvae in field conditions
* Effects of Event 176 Bt corn pollen on Monarch and Black Swallowtail caterpillars
under field conditions
* Overall risk assessments on the impact of Bt corn pollen to monarchs
Meanwhile, The US Environmental Protection Agency announced
that it has extended its decision on insect-protected corn
to allow the public additional time to
review recently published studies regarding Monarch butterflies.
CIMMYT TO
HELP ANSWER GM CORN OCCURRENCE IN MEXICO
The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT)
in Texcoco, Mexico has offered its expertise to appropriate
Mexican institutions that want to
have a better understanding as to why transgenic corn was found growing in
the Mexican states of Oaxaca and Puebla. This occurrence was reported in the
September 27, 2001 issue of Nature.
Specifically, CIMMYT will help identify the type and source
of the introduced gene(s); assess potential impacts to
biodiversity, the ecology, and the socioeconomic
environment; and explore possible responses.
CIMMYT has been working on GM corn but it strictly follows
Mexican biosafety regulations and protocols. Its last on-station
trial was conducted in September
1999. The Center continues its research on GM corn within the confines of its
biotechnology laboratories and greenhouses.
USDA PREDICTS
BUMPER COTTON HARVEST IN CHINA
Favorable warm weather and broader use of genetically modified
varieties are expected to push China's cotton yields to
an estimated 23 million bales. This
forecast by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) might yet give China its
largest cotton yield in ten years.
The expected production for 2001/02 is 2.7 million bales
more than last year's harvest. USDA claims that cotton
yields have been increasing due to widespread adoption
of insect-resistant GM varieties.
EPA DECIDES
ON BT COTTON REGISTRATION
The conditional registration of Bt cotton in the US has
been extended for five years. The US Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) has determined that there
is reasonable certainty that Bt cotton will not pose unreasonable risks to
human health or to the environment.
Stephen Johnson, assistant administrator for EPA's Office
of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances, said that "as
a condition of EPA's approval of the Bt cotton registration,
we have adopted several provisions to strengthen insect
resistance management, improve grower awareness and stewardship, and prevent
gene flow for Bt cotton to weedy relatives."
An example of an insect resistance management strategy
is the requirement that some acres be set aside where non-Bt
cotton will be grown to serve as a "refuge." Other
provisions include a requirement for the technology developer, in this case,
Monsanto, to be responsible for monitoring any potential impact from its continued
use. In addition, Monsanto is also asked to educate growers about the best
methods of planting Bt cotton to minimize any potential development of insect
resistance or gene transfer to other plants.
Detailed information on EPA's decision can be found at http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/biopesticides/.
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