Archive for October, 2006

A Professor’s Perspective on the Biotech Industry

Last week, I bumped into a blog entry by Stephen Zavestoski. Mr. Zavestocki authors the blog, The Curious, and is an Associate Professor and Chair, Sociology and Environmental Studies, at the University of San Francisco.
In his latest post entitled, Monsanto: Africa’s Johnny Appleseed? Mr. Zavestocki questions the company’s phrenetic drive to introduce Combi-pack - a [...]

GM Foods

Genetically Modified Foods are very, very good. but the biggest problem is that to many cowards are afraid of them. kind of like how dogs are afraid of load noises. listen very carefully to what i say:1st, they can’t alter you because, much like every other food we eat, they protean’s & DNA of the [...]

Kenya approves a national policy on biotechnology

By Ochieng’ Ogodo
SciDev.Net
October 24, 2006
[NAIROBI] The Kenyan government has approved its policy on how biotechnology is handled in research, development, and in its application.
The National Biotechnology Development Policy 2006 approved by the cabinet last month (28 September) marks the go-ahead for the use of biotechnology in the country. .
It outlines the safety procedures for biotechnology [...]

Kenya approves a national policy on biotechnology

By Ochieng’ Ogodo
SciDev.Net
October 24, 2006
[NAIROBI] The Kenyan government has approved its policy on how biotechnology is handled in research, development, and in its application.
The National Biotechnology Development Policy 2006 approved by the cabinet last month (28 September) marks the go-ahead for the use of biotechnology in the country. .
It outlines the safety procedures for biotechnology [...]

Europe’s Farmers Have A Right to Cultivate GM Crops

Early this year, I posted an entry urging the European Union (EU) to obey a ruling by the World Trade Organization (WTO) that found it guilty of illegally restricting genetically modified organisms (GMOs) from its territories.

Three weeks ago, I again reminded the EU to live up to its international trade obligations and loosen its [...]

Elitism about biotech keeps food from hungry

By C.S. PRAKASH
DesMoines Register
October 20, 2006
In 1965 and 1966, crop failures created massive food shortages in my native India, which produced only about 10 million metric tons of wheat annually. Only emergency shipments of American grain prevented widespread famine.
In 2006, India is a net exporter of food, producing 73 million metric tons of wheat. [...]

Benefits of Genetic Engineering to Reach Coffee Farmers Soon

Two Indian scientists, in an article in the Journal of Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture, report that there is increasing interest in the scientific community to develop coffee with better pest and disease resistance.
Vinod Kumar and colleagues predict that “breakthroughs in in vitro manipulation and regeneration, coupled with successful gene delivery systems will help [...]

GM viruses may help cure Hepatitis B infections

By Hawk Jia
SciDev.Net
18 October 2006
[CHIBA, JAPAN] South African scientists have developed a new approach that could potentially lead to a powerful medicine to treat the Hepatitis B virus.
Hepatitis B (HBV) is a major threat in poor countries that cannot afford to buy the HBV vaccine. Each year about 1 million people with chronic HBV [...]

Local demand for genetically modified crops rises

By By Neesa Moodley
Business Report
October 19, 2006
Durban - Local demand for genetically modified (GM) crops is increasing fast, with American seed producer Monsanto reporting that its GM maize seed for the next season is already sold out.
Figures indicate that GM maize is expected to account for 600 000ha in the year ahead. .
Kobus Lindeque, [...]

A Call to Green Revolution

By Dean Kleckner
Truth About Trade and Technology
October 6, 2006
Norman Borlaug is often called the father of the Green Revolution. Now it appears that Bill Gates wants to become its son.
Last month, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation announced that it would devote $100 million to African agriculture over the next five years, in combination with [...]