Plant Biotech Blog

East African (Nairobi)
Esther Nakkazi
Nairobi
May 29, 2007

Excerpt…

ELIZABETH NAKKU WAS pregnant when one day, as she was walking to market in Kireka, a suburb of Kampala, she collapsed.

Good Samaritans took her to a local clinic, but the nurses there declined to handle the patient and, instead referred her to Mulago Hospital.

Nakku, 28, had had a successful first delivery with assistance from a traditional birth attendant and so had assumed all would be well with the second pregnancy.

When she was diagnosed at Mulago, the medics said her problem had something to do with poor diet, leading to anaemia, a condition caused by iron deficiency. A blood transfusion was then administered.

Loss of iron in women increases during pregnancy and iron tablets are administered if the condition is not serious, says Victo Nabuule, a midwife at the obstetrics and gynaecology emergency annex ward at Mulago Hospital.

“Most pregnant women do not know what to eat,” she said. “Some suffer from malaria and become anaemic, they bring them here when they are ‘paper white’ and very weak.”

Iron deficiency prevents oxygen from being carried in the blood.

Ms Nabuule said lack of a balanced diet makes pregnant women weak and vulnerable to infection. It can also make them give birth to unhealthy babies and suffer excessive bleeding during childbirth.

Excessive bleeding from pregnancy related complications in Uganda accounts for about 26 per cent of deaths in childbirth.

On average, 16 women die of pregnancy-related problems every day in Uganda, said Dr Olive Sentumbwe-Mugisa, an official of Family Health and Population at the World Health Organisation.

Although the problem of maternal and child mortality cannot entirely be solved through nutrition, scientists believe biotechnology can reduce the number of children lacking Vitamin A and Uganda’s maternal mortality, which stands at 505 deaths per 100,000 live births.

BIOTECHNOLOGY MAY ALSO play a role in combating diseases such as HIV/Aids and it is set to become integral to future advances in medicine, particularly in vaccines.

Ugandan scientists have now embarked on a biotechnology project to increase micronutrients in staple foods like bananas, maize, cassava and sorghum in order to give pregnant women, HIV- infected people and young children a chance to eat a balanced diet.

Dr Geoffrey Arinaitwe, a plant biotechnologist at Kawanda Agricultural Research Institute, said under the project, genes will be introduced into banana cells to increase the micronutrients.

Read the rest of this entry »

Indian Express
Vikas Dhoot
May 25, 2007

Excerpt…

The new drought-resistant gene could hit the US as early as 2011 and help resolve a part of the world’s water problems, says Dr Harvey L. Glick, director for scientific affairs in Asia-Pacific, Monsanto. In the farm business for over 30 years, Glick joined the agriculture biotech MNC at a time when it was beginning to develop crop biotechnology programmes. He helped introduce the first biotech crop in Canada in 1995 and has been actively involved in the development of biotech crops for Europe, Asia and the Americas. Glick talks to Vikas Dhoot about key issues in Indian and global agriculture, stressing on the need to revive extension counters in India.

You have made breakthroughs in the next generation of BT seeds which are drought-resistant. Can these help ease water disputes around the world?

Today, agriculture consumes 70 per cent of the world’s fresh water. Every country is facing challenges in managing water. We have developed a gene that helps plants to grow better even when rain is not good. We have been testing it in South America and the US for some years now. The first such seed, corn, should be available in the US by 2011-12 while cotton may come soon after. The studies on the new corn seeds have shown an 8-10 per cent higher yield even when rains are not good. I would be the first to admit that the challenges of water distribution are too complex to be solved by this alone, but it can be part of the solution.

India wants a second green revolution to reverse the worsening plight of its farm sector. Any suggestions?

The first green revolution in India was hugely successful. The key reason was the creation of a formidable network of agricultural extension counters—the best in the world—that worked closely with farmers. The farmers had to change the way they did everything. The good thing about biotech crops is that the technology is inside the seed, unlike in the first green revolution.

But since the Eighties, around the world, there has been a problem—public-sector investment in agriculture has shrunk sharply. It’s the same in India, whose agricultural extension network and universities are in a disarray. There is an urgent need to revive them. Despite that, I think Indian farmers have become very progressive—they are already advanced in the use of new biotech crops. Two million Indian farmers now use BT seeds while BT cotton is already planted in more than 8 million acres. In fact, in 2006, the rate of increase in BT cotton in India was higher than in China….

Full article at Indian Express.

Technology Horizons

May 22, 2007

Here’s the excerpt of an article published by Technology Horizons on a survey that says undergraduates are choosing biotechnology as their field of choice, including food biotechnology…

Biotechnology is the field of choice for chemical engineering graduates, according to recent survey findings published by the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE).

The report - published in IChemE’s Education for Chemical Engineers journal - shows biotechnology a clear leader out of 15 preferred career options for undergraduate chemical engineering students asked to select their most desirable employment sector on graduation.

The survey was completed by more than 2500 undergraduate students across 15 universities in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Thailand, UK, USA and Vietnam.

Report author Professor David Shallcross from the University of Melbourne in Australia said that the findings reflect a changing attitude to chemical engineering.

‘Chemical Engineering education has traditionally focused on supplying graduates to the petrochemicals, and oil-and-gas industries with examples used throughout the courses often drawn almost exclusively from these industries,’ said Shallcross.

‘As the same time new industries, such as the biotechnology industries, have emerged to employ chemical engineers while older industries such as the dairy industry have also turned to chemical engineering graduates.’

The survey also highlights considerable differences between students in different countries, as well as between the different sexes. The finds reveal a lower interest in the environmental sector in the UK than in Australia, Canada, US, and Vietnam and considerably greater interest in the financial sector amongst UK students than all other nations….

… Male students prefer the traditional oil, gas and petrochemical industries while female students favour the bioprocessing and food and drink engineering industries.

Full article at Technology Horizons.

The Economic Times
MAY 14, 2007

Here’s the excerpt of an article published by The Economic Times on biotech agriculture…

KOLKATA: In case you didn’t know it, India has emerged as the fastest biotech crop growing nation in 2006. Propelled by increased cultivation of biotech cotton, India has also outstripped China as the largest cultivator of the crop by 0.3 million hectares, according to Ms Martina Newell-McGloughlin, a noted US biotech expert.

Ms McGloughlin, who is also the director at California University’s biotech research & education programme, said “India has about 3.8 million hectares under biotech cotton cultivation against 3.5 million hectares in China”. She was talking at a meeting organised by Indian Chamber of Commerce here on Friday.

“India has developed 62 biotech cotton hybrids by 2006 compared to 3 biotech cotton hybrids in 2002. Biotech cotton exports from India have also gone up from 0.9 million bales in 2004 to 4.7 million bales in 2006. Indian biotech cotton cultivators are registering 88% increased profit per hectare which is about $250,” said Ms McGloughlin.

Ms McGloughlin said global biotech crop cultivation had reached 252 million acres across 22 countries….

Full article at The Economic Times.

SwissInfo
May 16, 2007

Here’s the excerpt of an article published by SwissInfo on proposed new field trials for GM Crops…

Three years after a series of controversial field experiments with genetically modified (GM) wheat, Swiss scientists are planning similar crop trials.

Two teams of university researchers have applied to carry out tests near Zurich and Lausanne, including observations of potential crossbreeding between wheat and wild grass.

The proposed field trials by Zurich University’s Institute of Plant Biology and the Institute of Plant Sciences at the city’s Federal Institute of Technology would form part of a planned national research programme.

The aim would be to help answer questions about the release of transgenic plants, specifically in Switzerland.

“It is important to clearly say that we are not developing a product for the market,” Beat Keller, a lead researcher on the project, told swissinfo.

“We want to find out if GM wheat plants that we have already tested in the labs, which show improved resistance to fungal diseases, also [behave in a similar way] in the field in normal agricultural environments.”

They also intend to look at aspects of biological safety to see if the plants have any unexpected impact on the environment, as well as organisms living in the ground or insects.

If the Federal Environment Office gives the go-ahead, trials will run over a two-year period from 2008 in Reckenholz near Zurich, and in Pully, on the outskirts of Lausanne. The office is expected to reach its decision within the next three months….

Full article at SwissInfo.

The Monitor (Kampala)
Joseph Olanyo
Pretoria
May 14, 2007

Excerpt…

Genetically Modified crops from African countries will not be denied entry into the European Union (EU), top research scientists have said. Speaking at an AfricaBio Biotechnology Communicators training workshop in Pretoria, South Africa recently, the International Agro Biotechnology Research Specialist, Willy de Greef, said the EU was not opposed to the development of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs).

“We are concerned that you always do not hear the truth. It is often claimed that the EU is opposed to GMOs. Many people have been told negative things, but we will continue with the meetings to ensure that the technology is adopted,” Mr Greef said.

GMOs are organisms in which the genetic material (DNA) has been altered in a way that does not occur naturally. GM foods are developed and marketed because of their perceived advantage to either the producers or consumers.

The training workshop was organised by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in conjunction with AfricaBio. It attracted journalists and research scientists from Uganda, Kenya, Malawi and South Africa.

Mr De Greef’s remarks come against a background of widespread opposition to the development of GMOs. However, Mr De Greef said six EU countries are currently planting GM crops, with several more hoping to start soon.

He said Spain is leading the way with 60,000 hectares already planted. France, Czech Republic, Portugal, Germany and Slovakia, he said, have also increased their acreages fivefold in 2006, from 1,500 hectares in 2005 to 8,500 hectares in 2006.

“What the activists are not telling you is that the most likely GMO crops to be produced in Africa are maize, soybean, cotton and possibly cassava at some future state,” Mr Greef said.

“With the exception of cotton, none of these crops are currently being exported to the EU. Should Africa one day become self sufficient in maize and soybeans, surplus exports of approved GM products to the EU will never be in jeopardy.”

The President of AfricaBio, Prof Diran Makinde said the majority of Africa’s scientists, agricultural research institutions and political leaders have embraced the GM technology and are speeding up the process for the adoption of GM crops….

Full article at The Monitor (Kampala).

The Star
Foo Yee Ping
May 8, 2007

Here’s the excerpt of an article published by The Star on agricultural biotechnology…

BOSTON: Malaysia is equally committed to pushing for other industries in spite of its boost to promote biotechnology, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said.

“We are not putting all our eggs into one basket,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.

For example, he said ICT was also a source of wealth for the country, which was why the Government was not neglecting it.

Addressing Malaysian students and delegates of the BIO International Convention here on Sunday, Najib stressed on the importance of biotechnology as “it is the future; it is about creating wealth for the country and uplifting the quality of life for Malaysians.”

He said the 350-member Malaysian delegation to the annual BIO International Convention was the third largest contingent this year outside of North America.

“Four years ago, there were only about 50 Malaysian participants.”

Biotechnology, he said, was so pervasive that Malaysia could not afford to miss out on the exciting developments in the sector.

“We are on the right track but we can’t do it alone. That is why we want to be part of the convention,” he said.

Malaysia would be supportive of ventures such as research on the substitute for blood, he said, adding that two companies had told him that such a prospect was getting nearer….

Full article at The Star.

GM Watch
May 20, 2007

Here’s the excerpt from an article published by GM Watch on GM crops…

The scientific ignorance and competence of anti-biotech activists is appalling, but they keep on getting press and have been able to delay, if not stop agbiotech in India through their street level tactics.

Scientists have gone into hiding and they have the field day. This latest case by Aruna Rodriguez should have been dismissed the moment it opened in the courts, had the Ministry of Environment sent in a well trained lawyer and two scientific experts to give witness. The Supreme Court case that delayed GM crops so long had no basis at all, but there was no one to inform the courts. All these scientific concerns that have been visited upon by hundreds of research scientists and health expert’s decades ago in the west are being dredged up by Indian activists to scare people. Bt brinjal is as safe any brinjal on the market, may be more safe than those pesticide lased vegetables that are in the market, and for heaven sake don’t listen to these activists whose sole aim is to scare and mislead the public to establish their political agenda. Their activism is simply based on anti-science, anti-MNC, anti-capitalist and anti-American agenda. This activism is nothing about the safety of GM crops or the environment.

This report propagates several pieces of scientific nonsense by suggesting that Bt protein binds to mammalian gut cells and that aad and nptII genes code for antibiotics resistance. So what? These resistance genes work only when there is a selection pressure of antibiotics. This issue has been settled more than a decade ago by world class scientists working in the field and many health organizations have given a clean bill of health for these genes.

Somebody is reading up all sorts of nonsense that has been published by a lunatic called Dr, Mae Wan-Ho who is rewriting molecular biology as we all know it. I have argued that her alma mater should take back her PhD for professional misconduct in science by repeatedly writing scientific nonsense about GM crops. CaMV is a plant virus and does not infect animals. I have told her as much to her face when she came to speak at the World Bank and the US senate. I recall at a high class scientific meeting of NABC in South Carolina in early 90s, she was chased off from the stage when challenged about her assertions. That woman has absolutely no shame left in her. By the she is a buddy of India’s own great agricultural scientist and a biotech expert called Vandana Shiva. They are like twin sisters.

CaMV 35S promoter is a eukaryotic promoter very useful to express alien genes in artificial constructs and it has been drafted ingenuously to construct transgenic plants. It has been in safe use for almost three decades now. Dr. Ho could not get her paper published in any self respecting scientific journal, but goes on feeding this nonsense which is lapped up by anti-GM activists in countries like India to make their case. Nobody takes Dr. Ho’s claims seriously and has been pushed to the margins but Indian activists are now rediscovering her writings and coach their lawyers to represent such scientific nonsense and mislead the courts. It is a pity that the Indian scientific community does not go to the court get these time wasting court cases dismissed out of hand. These activists are wasting valuable court time and the time of the government regulators.

By using the scientific jargons like promoters, antibiotic resistance markers with non-scientific people like lawyers’ judges and journalists, these activists might get publicity, but they are not going to win at the end, because they are talking of scientific nonsense. Those who are complaining about CaMV promoter must stop to wonder next time they bite a piece of brinjal or any other healthy vegetable. They are all loaded with multitude of viruses and those vegetables don’t show symptoms of disease only because of eatable’s resistance to viruses. But viruses are there. Billions of people vegetables everyday that are loaded with viruses and has anyone heard of a plant virus causing diseases in humans? People should have common sense which often is not so common. When scientific ignoramuses get top activism not fully understanding science, they make a laughing stock of themselves. Unfortunately, our courts, our politicians and bureaucrats cannot tell pseudo-scientists from a real one. They all get easily mislead once they are told that poor that farmers are being taken for ride. This is the tragedy of India….

Full article at GM Watch.

The Financial Express
May 21, 2007

Here’s the excerpt of an article published by The Financial Express on GM crops…

NEW YORK, May 20 (PTI): A controversial modified rice - which will have protein often found in breast milk - has got clearance of American regulators and is expected to planed in Kansas State.

This is among the first food crops containing genes that produce human protein to gain approval of the United States Department of Agriculture, Nature reported yesterday.

But many other pharmaceutical genetically-modified crops are already grown indoors or in inedible plants such as tobacco. The rice strains, made by Ventria Bioscience in Sacramento, California, produce lysozyme, lactoferrin and human serum albumin, commonly found in breast milk, in their seeds, it said.

Lysozyme and lactoferrin are proteins with anti-bacterial, viral and fungal properties, the report said. Ventria says they aim to use the rice to create drinks that can combat diarrhoea, and dietary supplements to help reverse anaemia. Diarrhoea, which often stems from gastro- intestinal infection, is a major killer of children worldwide.

Many further regulatory hurdles involving other agencies would need to be passed before products made from this rice could be sold to consumers, Nature said.

The crop, which has been tested in Peru, was given preliminary approval in March, and the USDA then opened the proposal up for public comment, it said, adding of the more than 20,000 comments they received, only 29 were positive, although many of the negative comments consisted of form letters….

Full article at The Financial Express.

BharatTextile.com
May 18, 2007

Here’s the excerpt of an article published by BharatTextile.com on GM crops…

NEW DELHI: The Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) has cleared 49 new transgenic cotton hybrids for commercial cultivation in a single day, industry sources said here on May 17.

The decision follows the Supreme Court’s May 8 ruling, relaxing its ban on fresh approvals for commercial release of any genetically modified (GM) crop.

The committee in its meeting on 11th May has approved 49 new GM hybrids that farmers can plant in the forthcoming kharif season and this is in addition to the 62 already approved since 2002 till the Supreme Court’s ban imposed on September 22, 2006.

The 49 hybrids include six of Vibha Agrotech Ltd; five each of Nuziveedu Seeds Ltd and Nandi Seeds Ltd; four of DSCL’s Bioseed Research India Ltd; and three each of J.K. Agri-Genetics Ltd, Ankur Seeds and Prabhat Agri Biotech Ltd.

Further others whose transgenic received approval were: two each of Mahyco Seeds Ltd, Proagro Seed Company, Rasi Seeds, Ajeet Seeds, Pravardhan Seeds and Kaveri Seed Company; and one each of Nath Seeds, Namdhari Seeds, Zuari Seeds, Vikram Seeds, Navkar Hybrid Seeds, Ganga Kaveri Seeds and Amar Biotech Ltd….

Full article at BharatTextile.com.