Plant Biotech Blog

A new study was just published on the impact of genetically modified crops in Europe. Scientists surveyed over 400 Spanish farmers who grew Bt maize. The survey found that the farmers produced higher yields and earned up to €122 more per hectare than conventional maize farmers.

Dr. C Kameswara Rao

Farmers praise GM crops in EU study
The Independent
June 30, 2008

European farmers who grow genetically modified crops enjoy higher yields and revenues than conventional growers, according to a new study.

Scientists from the Joint Research Centre, the European Commission’s scientific body, surveyed more than 400 Spanish farmers who grew Bt maize – the only GM crop allowed for cultivation in the EU. They found they produced higher yields and earned up to €122 more per hectare (£50 per acre) than conventional maize farmers.

It is the first time scientists have looked into the impact of GM in Europe, said Dr Emilio Rodriguez Cerezo, who led the research. “There are definite economic advantages for farmers for the reason that their crops are not destroyed by pests,” he said.

The European Commission president, Jose Manuel Barroso, wants to remove regulatory obstacles to the controversial technology, arguing that GM crops could counter soaring food prices. However, the French President, Nicolas Sarkozy, who takes over the EU presidency tomorrow, will be calling for more controls on GM organisms. Environ-mental groups accuse the GM industry of exploiting the global food crisis to win approval for its products.

Read more…

The African country of Malawi has approved the National Biotechnology and Bio-safety bill, clearing the way for field testing of GM crops to begin. The article reports that a consumer group in Malawi, Consumers Association of Malawi (CAMA), is warning the government to “tread carefully when introducing the GMOs into the market” as they are not convinced of the safety of GM crops. Do you agree?

Dr. C Kameswara Rao

Malawi govt. okays research into genetically modified crops
Afriquenligne
June 30, 2008

Blantyre, Malawi - Malawi has finally opened its doors to genetically mod ified crops (GMOs) despite fears still lingering among consumer rights groups.

“Yes, cabinet has approved the National Bio-technology and Bio-safety bill,” said Alec Manda, the acting Director of the National Research Council of Malawi.

Manda said with the policy now in place Malawi can now start using products that are genetically modified.

He said what remains now was for scientists to start field trial in testing genetically modified crops developed outside the country.

“What that means is that we have completed the regulatory process which started with the Bio-safety Act, the enactment of the Bio-Safety Act in the year 2002; the formulation of regulations in the year 2007; and just today cabinet has approved the National Bio-technology Policy,” he said.

But the Consumers Association of Malawi (CAMA) has since warned government to tread carefully when introducing the GMOs into the market.

Read more…

A friend sent me the following blog entry on the benefits of genetically modified foods. The author points out that most people who are against genetic engineering are against it for moral reasons, and don’t even look at the benefits GM foods present. When will people see that we need to look at the science behind biotechnology?

Dr. C Kameswara Rao

Genetically Modified Foods - The Benefits
Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News
June 25, 2008

The much hue and crying about GM foods have concentrated a lot on the moral issues of our right to alter nature, the risks to the natural environment, the eventual risks to human health, as well as the risks to biodioversity. What those protests have failed to accept are the potential benefits that arise from GM foods.

The human body is invaded by a host of micro-organisms and viruses for which medicine has woefully failed to find a solution for. There is no cure for the common cold. GM technology can help man develop immunity of fight against some disease strains. This is a fact that those condemn the technology have to accept.

On the moral front, GM helps use modify available plants and animals in a way that will benefit us. God, in creating man, gave him a mind. Using the talents that God has given us to alter our environment and circumstances is, in my opinion, the best form of praise that man can give to God.

The fact must be accepted that GM has come to stay and is revolutionarizing what we eat and gives us choices. Lets commend our scientists for that.

Read more…

Ronald J. Herring, Cornell University, Ithaca

Genetic engineering has enabled significant, accepted innovations in medicine and other fields. In agriculture, however, a global cognitive divide around ‘genetically modified organisms’ (GMOs) has limited the diffusion and scope of this technology. The framing of agricultural products of recombinant DNA technology as GMOs lacks biological coherence, but has proved to be a powerful frame for opposition. Disaggregating the concept of the ‘GMO’ is a necessary condition for confronting misconceptions that constrain the use of biotechnology in addressing imperatives of development and escalating challenges from nature, especially in less-industrialized nations.

Read the article at RH Nature Reviews Genetics 08.pdf

Dennis Avery just wrote an interesting article on the part biotech wheat could play in a possible world food shortage. Avery writes that the development of drought-resistant wheat in Australia could potentially play a large part in alleviating such a shortage. Read more below.

Dr. C Kameswara Rao

Biotech Wheat to Ease World Food Shortage
News By Us
June 23, 2008

In the midst of the worst global grain shortage in decades, two lines of Australian biotech wheat have out-yielded current wheats by 20 percent - even under drought stress.

“Around the world, 35–50 percent of the wheat-growing areas are under drought risk. The number of drought-affected wheat growing areas is likely to increase with the effects of climate change” John Brumby, of Victoria, Australia told his audience. “These initial results are very promising, and suggest that these genetically modified wheat lines may be part of the solution to help farmers maintain and improve their crop yields in a changing global environment.”

Australia is the world’s driest continent and Victoria’s wheat crop was significantly reduced by drought in 2006/2007. U.S. wheat stocks were cut to an 11-year low this winter by drought that spread last year from Texas through bone-dry Missouri and nearly to the Canadian border.

Researchers are also working on heat-tolerant wheat varieties, examining wild relatives of the wheat plant for DNA that would help wheat to tolerate higher temperatures for longer periods without sacrificing yield. Biotechnology would permit such DNA to be inserted into wheat varieties that already have high yields and good baking characteristics.

Due largely to opposition from environmental activists, no biotech wheats are currently being grown in the world. Monsanto shelved its herbicide-tolerant wheat, which could have allowed higher yields due to better weed control. Syngenta has slowed its work on disease-resistant biotech wheat.

Read more…

Read the article below. Someone is showing support for UK’s Environment Minster Phil Woolas’ call for consideration of genetically modified crops.

Dr. C Kameswara Rao

NFU welcomes moves for debate on GM crops role
Newbusiness.co.uk
June 20, 2008

THE National Farmers Union has welcomed moves by the Government to start a debate about a greater role for GM crops. As world food prices continue to rise, Environment Minister Phil Woolas said yesterday that he wants a debate on the benefits of GM crops in offering greater yields, particularly in the developing world.

A spokesman for the NFU said: “We are pleased the Defra minister is finally talking about GM crops in an open, pragmatic and science-based way.

“We sincerely hope this indicates a real change in Government thinking and a move away from the highly politicised and emotive way this issue has been dealt with during the last decade.

“The reality is that GM technology is not new and it has been applied to commercial agriculture around the world for more than 12 years.

“In the context of increasing food prices as well as fuel, we are pleased that the benefits of reduced inputs and increased yields by improving crops using GM technology are finally being recognised as a benefit for both consumers and the environment.”

This week, Mr Woolas said: “There is a growing question of whether GM crops can help the developing world out of the current food price crisis.

Read more…