In This
Issue:
AGRO-BIOTECH
APPLICATIONS IN WEST AND CENTRAL AFRICA
In recognition
of biotechnology's capability to solve sub-Saharan Africa's growing
food problems, Walter S. Alhassan, Visiting Scientist at the International
Institute of Tropical Agriculture in Ibadan, Nigeria conducted
a study "Agrobiotechnology Application in West and Central
Africa" to identify the weaknesses, strengths, and opportunities
for biotechnology application for agriculture in seven selected
countries in West and Central Africa.
The
study, which covered seven countries (Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cote
d'Ivoire, Ghana, Mali, Nigeria, and Senegal), revealed the weakness
of the national agricultural research systems (NARS) for biotechnology
work. The Le Conseil Quest et Centre Africain pour la Recherche
et le Developpement Agricoles/ West and Central African Council
for Agricultural Research and Development (CORAF/WECARD), on the
other hand, recognized the potential of biotechnology for agricultural
research, but there was no definite focus.
Other
highlights of the study are as follows:
- The
biotechnology research capability (trained manpower and infrastructure)
in Burkina Faso was observed to be low, but better than Mali.
- There
is considerable strength in tissue culture and a growing potential
for molecular biology work in Cameroon.
- Except
for manpower, the infrastructure for biotechnology in Cote d'Ivoire
is above average for the subregion.
- In
Ghana, the biotechnology infrastructure is weak but the manpower
base is relatively strong.
- Mali
was observed to have the weakest biotechnology capacity among
the countries surveyed. Thus, there is a need to consolidate
infrastructure support services.
- Nigeria
has a strong infrastructure in tissue culture work, but relatively
weak in its molecular biotechnology infrastructure. However,
this will all develop in time as Nigeria draws its biotechnology
development policy, biosafety guidelines, and establishes institutions
to promote biotechnology research and development with possible
entrepreneurs.
- Senegal
has the best laboratory infrastructure and manpower for agricultural
biotechnology in the subregion. Its standard of biotechnology
work is relatively more advanced than the other countries in
the subregion.
Download
the full report at http://www.iita.org/info/Agrobiotech.pdf.
G8: ENCOURAGE "TRIED
AND TESTED BIOTECHNOLOGY"
The
leaders of the Group of Eight (G8) industrialized nations met recently
during their June 2003 summit in Evian, France to address the challenges
of promoting growth, enhancing sustainable development and improving
security. To address the problem of food insecurity, they expressed
support for the "promotion of food crops and of competitiveness
of export crops." We will encourage improved scientific resources
and adaptation of new and improved agricultural technologies including
tried and tested biotechnology for use in developing countries."
The
G8 member nations are Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia,
the United Kingdom and the United States. The European Union also
attends the Summit, represented by the Leader of the country holding
the Presidency of the European Council and the President of the
European Commission.
Among
those adopted during the Summit was an Action Plan on how best
to use science and technology for sustainable development. It focused
on three areas: global observation; cleaner, more efficient energy
and the fight against air pollution and climate change; and agriculture
and biodiversity.
The
summit documents and other details are available at http://www.g8.fr/evian/english/navigation/
2003_g8_summit/summit_documents.html
STAFF SURVEY: GM CROPS PERCEIVED AS USEFUL IN JAPAN
The
Society for Techno-innovation of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
(STAFF) recently conducted an awareness survey on genetically modified
(GM) crops and food stuffs in Japan. This is considered to be the
first full-scale survey that addressed the concerns of Japanese
consumers about GM food. The results show that if information campaigns
on the safety of GM food were increased, consumers can be motivated
to accept GM foods, and be made to purchase them.
Some
of the major highlights of the survey were as follows:
- Seventy
percent (70%) of consumers are highly aware that recombinant
technology is useful to facilitate farming in inhospitable environments
and remedy food shortages.
- Consumers
are highly concerned over the effects of farming on local environments
and are still uncomfortable with eating GM foods.
- Half
or more than half of consumers are not aware that the Ministries
of Health, Labour and Welfare and Agriculture, Forestry & Fisheries
carry out safety verification evaluations for GM food.
- Sixty-two
percent (62%) of the respondents were familiar with the issue
of "labeling." Fifty-one percent (51%) said their purchase
of GM food is conditional - depending on its safety (89%), and
price. The consumers said they would buy GM food if the price
is lower by 25% or more compared to non-GM food.
The
survey was featured in the May 22, 2003 issue of the Japan Chemical
Week.
EURO PARLIAMENT APPROVES GMO MOVEMENT RULES
Members
of the European Parliament have reached agreement on the proposal
for a regulation on the transboundary movements of genetically
modified organisms (GMOs) set for legislation next week. This agreement
is an important step towards the full implementation into Community
legislation of the provisions of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety.
The
main elements of the proposal are:
- The
obligation to notify exports of GMOs intended for deliberate
release into the environment;
- The
obligation to provide information to international partners on
Community practices, legislation and decisions on GMOs, as well
as on accidental releases of GMOs; and
- A
set of rules for identifying GMOs for export.
The
current Proposal does not foresee new specific Community provisions
for imports or for movements of GMOs between Member States. These
operations will continue to be covered by existing Community legislation.
For
more information visit http://www.europa.eu.int/rapid/start/cgi/guesten.ksh?p_action.gettxt=
gt&doc=IP/03/790|0|RAPID&lg=EN&display=
SMALL FARMERS
BENEFIT FROM BT CORN IN SPAIN
Small
farmers in North Eastern Spain are achieving environmental benefits,
through reduced use of insecticides, better quality grain with
lower levels of mycotoxin, and higher yields and incomes from Bt
corn. These benefits are similar to those enjoyed by their counterparts
in North America. This was the highlight of the study "The
Farm Level Impact of Using Bt Maize in Spain" conducted by
Graham Brookes of Brookes West Consultancy, United Kingdom.
The
study is the first ever conducted in Europe on the benefits resulting
from the commercialization of Bt corn. The study reports that Bt
corn was found to protect against losses from the important insect
pest "European Corn Borer" that can reduce corn yields
by up to 15 percent or more. About 5 percent of the corn area in
Spain is planted with Bt corn but the study projects that up to
35 percent of the corn area could benefit from the technology,
resulting in an estimated additional income of between 10 to 15
million Euro at the farm level.
The
International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications
has come out with a Brief version of this study. It is available
electronically at http://www.isaaa.org/kc/
Biotech_briefs/briefs.htm.
FRENCH SENATE CALLS FOR ADOPTION OF GM FRAMEWORK
The
French Senate's commission for economic affairs has unanimously
adopted a report detailing the steps necessary to bring about a
viable research and regulatory framework for the development of
genetically modified organisms (GMOs). The report entitled "Which
biotechnology policy for France?" notes that biotechnology
research has significantly declined in recent years in the country
and hence, the need for greater political will and moral support
to scientists.
In addition,
the report encourages more public-private partnerships, re-establishment
of public budgetary allocations, and increased funding for private
companies for GMO research.
The
report in French can be viewed online at http://www.senat.fr/rap/r02-301/r02-301_mono.html.
VIETNAM TO APPROVE
GM FIELD TRIALS
Field
trials of genetically modified crops in Vietnam are expected to
be given government approval at the end of June. Saigon Times reports
that the law was drafted by the then Ministry of Science, Technology
and Environment, now the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment
in collaboration with the Agricultural Genetic Institute in 1999.
Appropriate assessment of the trials is stipulated in the law.
NZ RELEASES BIOTECHNOLOGY
STRATEGY
New Zealand has released its Biotechnology Strategy, the country's framework
for "reaping the benefits of biotechnology in a responsible and sustainable
way." This strategy is about developing the biotechnology sector with
care," says Minister of Research, Science and Technology Pete Hodgson.
The
Biotechnology Taskforce, set up under the Government's Growth and
Innovation Framework, developed the strategy. The Taskforce highlighted
important factors including a strong knowledge, skill and research
base, investment and infrastructure focused on New Zealand's strengths
and strong international research links.
"Biotechnology
is an industry in itself, but it is much more than that. It generates
knowledge, skills and technology that can contribute in numerous
ways to achieving our economic, social and environmental aspirations," says
Hodgson. "Wrestling with the opportunities and challenges
presented by a fast-moving and complex sector is not easy, but
standing still is not an option. That's why the strategy calls
for action in three areas - growth, community engagement and effective
regulation."
"Constructive
community engagement and public confidence in effective regulation
will underpin growth in biotechnology," Hodgson said. "This
strategy represents a commitment by the Government to work with
communities, researchers and industry so New Zealanders can benefit
from developing and applying our world-class biological knowledge,
skills and innovation."
The
report is available online at http://www.morst.govt.nz/uploadedfiles/Documents/Publications/
Govt%20policy%20statements/BiotechFinal.pdf
PLANT-BASED
RABIES ANTIBODIES
Researchers
from the Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, USA are looking
into the possibility of developing inexpensive and safe plant-derived
antibodies against rabies. Hilary Koprowaski and team say that
the synthesis of anti-rabies antibodies in plants could have several
advantages. They do not contain antigenic and/or allergenic antibodies
and can be obtained with a reasonable yield.
The
researchers used Agrobacterium-mediated transformation to insert
a binary vector containing the DNA sequences for the human light
chain and heavy chain anti-rabies antibody into tobacco plants.
Analysis of leaf tissue from the transgenic plants revealed that
the plants synthesized biologically active human anti-rabies antibody
at a level of around 0.07% of soluble protein.
The
paper entitled "Function and glycosylation of plant-derived
anti-viral monoclonal antibody " is published online in the
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States
of America. Visit http://www.pnas.org.
or contact Hilary Koprowski at Hillary.Koprowski@mail.tju.edu.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
KNOWLEDGE CENTER BROCHURE OUT
The
Global Knowledge Center on Crop Biotechnology (KC) of the International
Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA)
has released its latest brochure "Sharing Knowledge on Biotechnology
in the Developing World". It chronicles the history and mission
as well as the network and activities of the KC. The KC which has
a network of Biotechnology Information Centers and links in Asia,
Africa, and Latin America seeks to develop the collective voice
and foster collective action among developing countries with respect
to crop biotechnology. An electronic version of the brochure is
available for viewing at http://www.isaaa.org/kc/Us/KC
Brochure 2003.pdf.
BIO 2003
The
Biotechnology Industry Organization's (BIO) annual convention,
BIO 2003, will be held in Washington, D.C. on June 22-25, 2003.
It will bring together international food and agriculture experts
to discuss advances and issues in agricultural biotechnology.
BIO
2003 will feature 25 tracks of programming, including sessions
on policy, business development, science and regulatory affairs.
The convention will also host a HealthFest; forums on bioethics,
global health and patient advocacy; lecture series; and exhibits.
For more information, visit http://www.bio.org/events/2003/. | 
