In This
Issue:
MEDIA COVERAGE OF BIOTECH ISSUES IN KENYA INCREASES
Coverage of biotechnology by Kenyan newspapers has increased significantly
over the last two years. This was stated in a recent research conducted
by the African Biotechnology Stakeholders Forum (ABSF), and the Kenya
Biotechnology Information Center (KBIC). A content analysis of biotechnology
issues published between 1998 to 1999, and 2000 to mid-2003 in the
country's leading newspapers - The Daily Nation, The East African,
East Africa Standard, and The People Daily concludes that biotechnology
is becoming a regular agenda among media personnel.
Biotech-related issues were covered under broad thematic areas in
agriculture, environment, policy and industry. An interesting finding
of this study is that prior to the formation of ABSF in the year
2000, newspapers depended more on foreign sources for biotechnology
stories, which in most cases tended to be unbalanced and highly sensational.
Between 1999 and 1998, for example, The Daily Nation only sourced
6% of its biotech news locally. Most of its news stories came from
foreign sources (27%). The situation was reversed, however, after
the formation of the ABSF - with the said newspaper sourcing 46%
of its news internally and only 20% externally.
The change was even more dramatic in the case of the East Africa
Standard, which sourced 17% locally, and 13% externally between
1998 and 1999 as compared to the 61% local and 39% foreign in the
period
2000 to mid-2003. This showed that sensitization of biotechnology
activities locally widened the journalists’ scope of sourcing
relevant issues for public consumption. The report stated that
the findings are consistent with the long-held view that biotechnology
would only flourish in Africa if the continent is allowed to set
its own agenda.
Results further showed that biotech stories have been given more
prominence and are comparatively balanced over the last two years
- a trend that could be attributed to the concerted efforts of different
stakeholders to train local journalists in science reporting. The
report also acknowledged the importance of targeting local journalists
in activating public debate from an informed perspective.
For more information about the research, please email
Dr. Margaret Karembu at m.karembu@isaaa.org.
REGULATORY AGENCIES IN THE US UNIFIES BIOTECH WEBSITE
The Federal Government of the United States of America has developed
a coordinated,
risk-based system to ensure new biotechnology products are safe for
the environment, and human and animal health. This biotechnology
website focuses on agricultural products developed using the science.
At present, the searchable database available covers only genetically
modified crop plants intended for food or feed that have completed
all required reviews for food, feed or planting use in the United
States.
The Coordinated Framework for Regulation of Biotechnology, which
was established as a formal policy in 1986, describes the Federal
system used for evaluating products developed using biotechnology.
The Coordinated Framework is based on health and safety laws developed
to address specific product classes.
The US government agencies responsible for the oversight of the
agricultural products developed via biotechnology are: the US Department
of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS),
the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Department
of Health and Human Services' Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
An agricultural product may be subject to the review by one or more
of these agencies depending on its characteristics.
For more information, visit the Coordinated Framework for Regulation
of Biotechnology website at http://usbiotechreg.nbii.gov.
PHIL PRESIDENT RECEIVES FAO MEDAL FOR AGRICULTURE Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is the first Filipina
to receive the Ceres
Medal of the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization
(FAO) in recognition of her efforts to modernize agriculture to attain
food security, social equity and greater job opportunities in the
rural areas in the Philippines. FAO Director-General Jacques Diouf
presented the Ceres Medal to President Macapagal-Arroyo.
With great pride
and humility, the President Macapagal-Arroyo accepted the Ceres
Medel, which is the woman’s equivalent of the Nobel
Prize for food and agriculture. The President said that her administration
is currently implementing a P/20 billion agriculture modernization
program. To attain food security, it is propagating the Gloria hybrid
rice variety, which is projected to double or triple rice harvests
in the Philippines.
In presenting
the award, Diouf noted that, in the last three years of her administration,
President Macapagal-Arroyo "set the goals
for a liberalized economy, a modernized agricultural sector to enhance
social equity, and economic growth to favor the disadvantaged groups.
Diouf stated that "FAO is proud to assist" President Macapagal-Arroyo
in these efforts through its support for the agrarian reform program,
which is now
FAO's largest technical assistance program in the Philippines.
President
Macapagal-Arroyo joined the ranks of distinguished women leaders
who have been conferred the Ceres Medal since FAO instituted
the award in 1971. The awardees include Prime Minister Indira Gandhi
of India, Mother Teresa of Calcutta, Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike
of Sri Lanka, Queen Sirikit of Thailand, Prime Minister Helen Clarke
of New Zealand, and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh.
See
the news release posted at http://www.searca.org/~bic.
CHINA APPROVES SAFETY CERTIFICATES FOR US AGRI PRODUCTS Earlier this
week, China has approved the final safety certificates for key
agricultural products from the US. China’s Ministry
of Agriculture has recently completed its biotechnology regulatory
review of Roundup Ready soybeans, two corn, and two cotton products.
China’s approval is considered good news for American farmers,
who consider China to be its top foreign customer for soybeans and
cotton. According to statements made by US Agriculture Secretary
Ann M. Veneman, and US Trade Representative Robert B. Zoellick, "China’s
decision to approve permanent safety certificates for several biotechnology
crops is another positive step for trade between these two countries
and demonstrates the Chinese government’s commitment to the
WTO principle of using sound science to determine such issues.
In
line with this, the US promises to engage China on outstanding
biotechnology issues to ensure that both American and Chinese
farmers
have access to biotechnology for increasing agricultural productivity
and for providing safe and wholesome products to consumers of both
countries. The news release from FAS is available online at http://www.fas.usda.gov/default.htm.
USDA UPDATES ITS BIOTECH REGULATIONS Agriculture Secretary
Ann M. Veneman announced this week the US Department of Agriculture’s
(USDA) intention to update and strengthen its biotechnology regulations
for the importation, interstate
movement and environmental release of genetically modified organisms
(GMOs).
Says Veneman, “the science of biotechnology is continually
evolving, so we must ensure that our regulatory framework remains
robust by anticipating and keeping pace with those changes.” The
USDA Secretary added that a comprehensive environmental impact statement
is the first critical step in the process to be undertaken. The regulatory
system must also operate on sound science, and should involve a careful
assessment of risks.
The environmental
impact statement will be prepared by the USDA’s
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and aims to evaluate
its biotechnology regulations and other regulatory changes, including
the development of a multi-tiered, risk-based permitting system that
will replace the current permit/notification system together with
enhancements to the deregulation process.
See the news release at http://www.usda.gov/Newsroom/0033.04.html.
PHYTODYNE DEVELOPS GENOME EDITOR Phytodyne, an Iowa State spin-off company, has recently developed
a new gene targeting system believed to revolutionize modern day
agriculture. Genome Editor is a gene targeting system based on a
naturally occurring process called homologous recombination that
can be harnessed to precisely substitute a DNA segment for another.
It can remove, add or modify any gene with surgical precision in
many commercial crops. Genome editor can also be used to modify multiple
genes that work together to bring about complex traits such as improved
nutrition and better oil profiles. It can also eliminate unwanted
characteristics and improve grain composition to enhance processing
qualities.
According to Dan Voytas, Phytodyne co-founder and professor of genetics,
development, and cell biology, Phytodyne scientists were the first
to use the technology successfully in plants as previous research
was focused on human and fruit fly studies. Genome Editor was also
found to be more precise and efficient in improving plant genetic
make-up than the old hit-and-miss technology currently in use. Phytodyne
scientists have seen results far more efficient at gene targeting
than current methods. Voytas expects the technology to be implemented
in two crops within the next two years.
For more details, please visit: http://www.iastate.edu/
NEW GERMPLASM PROMISES HEALTHIER SOYBEAN OILS
USDA
Agricultural Research Service scientists have developed a new germplasm
that could pave the way in producing oils that have heart
healthy levels of monounsaturated fats and could shortly become a
strong contender of olive oil. The new germplasm, called N98-4445A,
was developed through traditional breeding methods by scientists
from the ARS Soybean and Nitrogen Fixation Research Laboratory in
Raleigh, North Carolina. Led by agronomist Joseph W. Burton, the
research team considers the new germplasm as an invaluable genetic
resource for producing mid-oleic soybean varieties suitable for different
growing regions. Oil from N98-4445A contains augmented levels of
oleic acid, a monounsaturated fat stable enough for use in salad
dressings or frying oils without undergoing hydrogenation.
Increased
oleic acid levels also translate to a decrease in polyunsaturated
fatty acids (PUFA). PUFAs are liquid fats (e.g. linolenic and linoleic
acids) that are known to produce undesirable odors and break down
when oxidized during aging or frying. Moreover, the new line of
oils has only 3 percent PUFA as compared to commercial soy oils
that contain
7 percent linolenic acid. These new oils also fall below a critical
cut-off point under which no hydrogenation is necessary.
By 2006,
U.S. Food and Drug Administration would require food manufacturers
to state the amount of trans fatty acids in processed foods.
The processed-food industry uses tons of vegetable oils annually
and
about half of all vegetable oils produced are from soybeans. The full story is available at http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/AR/archive/feb04/soy0204.htm
BIODIVERSITY
FOR DEVELOPMENT
In a paper entitled ”Conserving biodiversity for development,” Mark
Malloch Brown, administrator of the United Nations Development Program
(UNDP), underscored the importance of conserving diversity in achieving
development. The author stated that biodiversity is a key development
issue and frequently provides the ‘welfare system of last resort’ for
poor people and communities.
Citing the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) as a means for the
international community to improve the living conditions of the poorest
of the poor, the author highlighted the role of biodiversity under
the seventh MDG. The Millennium Development Goals are time-bound
and measurable goals and targets for combating disease, illiteracy,
environmental degradation, and discrimination against women with
the ultimate aim of halving extreme poverty and hunger.
Brown also stated
that an opportunity lies with the poor as most of the world’s biodiversity exists in the economically poor
countries. Hence, the author recognizes the prospect of enhancing
poor people’s income by permeating markets for sustainable
produce, forest and agricultural products, as well as ecotourism.
The author concluded that there is indeed a real opportunity to
advance all the MDGs without undermining ecological capital. However,
he stressed that this will only happen when we recognize that poor
communities are at stake in safeguarding their own ecosystems as
well as meeting their basic needs. Brown ended his paper by explaining
that the real key to a sustainable future is to make mutually reinforcing
efforts towards poverty reduction and conservation.
The full article is available at http://www.scidev.net/Opinions/index.cfm?
fuseaction=readOpinions&itemid=240&language=1.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
BBI’S
GRANTS PROGRAM – CALL
FOR PROPOSALS
Grant
applications for research projects on the effects of agricultural
biotechnology on biodiversity in developing countries
are currently
accepted by USAID thru its Biotechnology Biodiversity Interface
(BBI) program. Grant proposals are accepted until April 15, 2004.
For more information, email Dr. Hector Quemada at hdquemada@croptechnology.com.
WORKSHOP ON DETECTION OF PROTEIN/ DNA IN BIOTECH FOODS
A Workshop
on Detection of Protein and/or DNA in Foods Derived from Modern
Biotechnology
will be held in Budapest, Hungary, on March
5, 2004. The workshop will be facilitated by the Food and Agriculture
Organization (FAO), World Health Organization (WHO), in collaboration
with ILSI and will be held prior to the Codex Committee on Methods
of Analysis and Sampling (CCMAS). All delegates attending the
CCMAS meeting are also invited to attend this free workshop.
For
more details, please contact: food-quality@fao.org.
3RD INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS ON PLANT METABOLOMICS
The 3rd International Congress on Plant Metabolomics will be held
on June 3-6, 2004 during the 6th Annual Plant Sciences Institute
Symposium. Sponsored by the Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics
and Molecular Biology, and the Plant Sciences Institute, Iowa State
University at Ames, Iowa, the congress will address the current and
potential applications of metabolomics for gene discovery and directed
genome modifications as well as other Plant Metabolomics themes.
The said event will be held at the Scheman Building, Iowa State Center
at the Iowa State University.
To register,
use the ISU registration form at http://www.bb.iastate.edu/~gfst/phomepg.html.
11TH INTERNATIONAL LUPIN CONFERENCE
The 11th International Lupin Conference will be held in Guadalajara,
Jalisco, Mexico from May 4-9, 2004. The first circular can be obtained
at http://www.cucba.udg.mx/
eventos/lupinus/lupinus.html.
For more details, email pgarcia@cucba.udg.mx. | 
