In
This Issue:
CIMMYT DOUBTS
TRANSFER OF GM CORN DNA TO LOCAL VARIETIES
Research being conducted at the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center
(CIMMYT) in Mexico has cast some doubt over earlier reports that DNA from genetically
modified corn has been transferred to local varieties in Mexico. The CIMMYT
study could not detect the 35S promoter either in historical accessions from
its own seed bank or in samples collected recently from the field in Mexico.
Results of the study were published in the January 2002 issue of Nature Biotechnology.
CIMMYT maintains an extensive maize seedbank and supplies seeds on demand to
research institutions and extension services around the developing world. "We
needed to be able to reassure our users that transgenes were not running rampant
through the seed bank and we have shown that," says David Hoisington, director
of CIMMYT's Applied Biotechnology Center. Their initial results could not find
the 35S promoter in any of the 28 maize populations in its seedbank. More importantly,
they have started to examine materials that have been collected from farmers'
fields in Oaxaca, the state where Chapela collected their materials.
One way to resolve the conflict would be for the various groups to share samples.
It is important that several different and independent laboratories perform
a parallel analysis of the same samples. "If they all see the same thing," says
Hoisington, "then you can be more sure that there is really something there."
CIMMYT's results are in contrast to those earlier reported by Mexican government
researchers and a study by Ignacio Chapela published in Nature Magazine in
November 2001.
ASIA INVESTS
IN BIOTECHNOLOGY
Countries in Asia are giving high priority to biotechnology. On the lead is
Singapore which is channeling billions of dollars in development fund to become
the hub of biotechnology in the region.
China is not far behind. A recent study conducted by researchers in the US
and China reveals that research and development on plant biotechnology is doing
well in the country. Scott Rozelle, a professor in the Department of Agricultural
and Resource Economics at the University of California (UC) Davis and colleagues
surveyed 29 of China's plant biotechnology research institutes and interviewed
research directors of the major plant biotechnology programs.
Rozelle notes that China has been accelerating its investments in agricultural
biotechnology research and is making breakthroughs on commodities that have
been mostly ignored in the laboratories of industrialized countries. "If China's
success with GM cotton is any predictor of future achievements, we can expect
that plant biotechnology in China will have a significant impact on world production,
consumption, nutrition, and trade."
Joining Singapore and China are Malaysia, India and South Korea. The Malaysian
Government strongly believes that biotechnology will propel the country into
the new frontier of economic growth. It is set to invest US$3.7 billion to
establish the Multi-Media Super Corridor (MSC) in which a Bio-valley will be
located. Malaysian officials expect that the three biotechnology institutes
will help to accelerate this new industry and attract foreign investment amounting
to US$10 billion over the next 10 years.
India is also planning to increase investments in biotechnology over the next
few years. The southern states of India have identified biotechnology as a
thrust sector. By 2010, the Indian industry could grow to US$4.5 billion from
the US$2.5 billion now.
Finally, South Korea expects to see a rise in investment in biotechnology over
the next 5 years. By 2007, US$ 10 billion will be invested in biotechnology
of which US$ 1.5 billion will be invested in the agriculture and food industries.
REPORTS ON BT COTTON TRIALS FAVORABLE
Several agencies in India particularly the Indian Council of Agricultural Research
(ICAR), Union Environment Ministry, and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT)
generally aver that data on the Bt cotton trials in the country look favorable.
The firm conducting the authorized trials is the Maharashtra Hybrid Seed Company
(Mayco). Reports coming from ICAR and Mayco are up for evaluation by the Review
Committee on Genetic Manipulation (RCGM), which will forward for further comments
to the Ministry's Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC), the lone sanctioning
authority for GM crops or food.
In case the commercialization of Bt cotton pushes through, this would be India's
first commercialized transgenic crop.
In other developments, Pesticides Association of India Vice Chairman Pradip
K. Mazumdar opined that his group is in favor of introducing genetically modified
(GM) crops as long as it undergo the required tests.
Compared to countries like Japan and Taiwan, which uses an equivalent of US$633
and US$392 per hectare of pesticides respectively, India is one of the lowest
pesticide users in the world at three dollars per hectare. There is opportunity
to use pesticides in proper doses in regions plagued by pests even if GM seeds
are given clearance for commercial release.
KNOWLEDGE CENTER
BICs TO MEET IN BANGKOK
Country representatives of Biotechnology Information Centers (BICs) in Southeast
Asia and network links are congregating in Bangkok, Thailand on January 14
and 15 to review activities and plan projects for 2002. The BICs are the heart
of the Global Knowledge Center on Crop Biotechnology network whose core operations
are based in the SEAsiaCenter of the International Service for the Acquisition
of Agri-biotech Applications. Expected to attend are participants from Indonesia,
Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.
The BICs are tasked with providing information on crop biotechnology and promoting
public understanding of scientific advances in the field to specific stakeholders
in their respective countries.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Essential Biosafety CD now available! If you still haven't
ordered your copy of this excellent CD, then do so now by visiting http://www.essentialbiosafety.info and
filling up the request form. This CD-ROM offers comprehensive information
about the safety of genetically modified crops.
Food Biotechnology: A Communication Guide to Improving
Understanding CD now available! This Guide aims to
raise awareness of this communications issue, and provides
lots of practical advice and resources to overcome this
problem. For example, the Guide includes lists of "Words
to use" and "Words to lose", and a slide presentation,
which may be adapted according to audience needs and interests.
Get your free copy now and e-mail us at knowledge.center@isaaa.org
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