Archive for May, 2006

Scientists study benefits of modified foods

By Rachel Melcer

St. Louis Post-Dispatch
With the luxury of time - and support from the agricultural biotech industry - researchers at the University of Maryland say they can make a case in favor of genetically modified, nutritionally enhanced foods.
It will be years before the first of these products hit the market.

But if [...]

Biotechnology: Hope for food security

Daily News Online
30 May, 2006
GABORONE - Biotechnology has been described as the only hope for Africas food security development.
Debating the issue during the biotechnology panel discussion in Gaborone last week, panelists said biotechnology could redress problems of food production, goods and services in developing countries.
They said the technology had been in [...]

Kenya MPs pledge to fast-track GM food law East A…

Kenya MPs pledge to fast-track GM food law
East African Standard
May 29, 2006
Kenyan MPs who have just returned from an agricultural biotechnology fact-finding mission to South Africa have resolved to seek audience with relevant government authorities to discuss the way forward.
The MPs are concerned that after 15 years of research on modern biotechnology, Kenya [...]

An Icon of Modern Biotechnology is Honored

Calestous Juma, a Kenyan native and a professor of the Practice of International Development at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, has been elected to a renowned club of world scientists.
Prof. Juma a strong believer in modern biotechnology in poverty alleviation, joined the Fellowship of the Royal Society, United Kingdom’s National [...]

Indian GEAC may soon clear Bt-eggplant for market

Friday, May 26, 2006
Decan Herald
By Kalyan Ray
The Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) is considering seed company Mahyco’s application for large scale field trial and seed production of a genetically engineered brinjal that can fight pests attacking brinjal plants throughout its life
Four years after biotech company ProAgro’s genetically modified mustard failed to pass the tests, another [...]

EU Would be Foolish to Not Obey WTO’s Ruling on Gmos

This week, the World Trade Organization (WTO) issued its final ruling on genetically modified organisms (Gmos). The ruling declared illegal European Union’s (EU) stringent and unfairly restrictive policy on genetically modified foods.
As expected, the strident protectionists within the EU and the anti-GMO activists tried to put forward a brave face ; however, in a statement [...]

Draft dairy report recommends support for GM crops…

Draft dairy report recommends support for GM crops
ABC RURAL

Wednesday, 17/05/2006
The dairy industry has been embarrassed by the leaking of a draft report that recommends it join other agricultural industries in supporting genetically modified (GM) crops.
Until now state governments have had the backing of the dairy industry in banning commercial GM crops.
The draft report [...]

GM cassava has ’super size’ roots Wagdy Sawahel…

GM cassava has ’super size’ roots

Wagdy Sawahel
15 May 2006
Source: SciDev.Net

Scientists who have genetically modified cassava plants to produce dramatically bigger roots say their research could help alleviate hunger in developing countries.
The starchy roots of cassava are a staple food for about 600 million [...]

Gmos Alleviate Hunger and Improve Health

A renowned Kenyan scientist last week counseled agricultural researchers in Africa to focus more on the production of food with higher levels of vitamins and minerals instead of increasing yields.
Prof. Ruth Oniang’o of Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) argued that quality, not quantity is what should count in the agricultural economy. This [...]

Biotech Crops Curb Erosion and Pollution in the US and Brazil, Says GM Crowd

Written by Newsroom

Tuesday, 09 May 2006

Since the introduction of biotech crops in 1996, farmers have reduced - and, in some cases, completely stopped - plowing or tilling the soil to eliminate weeds and prepare fields for planting.
The benefits [...]