In
This Issue:
BT CORN
AS HEALTHY FOR COWS AS NON-GM
Iowa State
University researchers report that new corn hybrids containing the
Cry1F Bt gene are as wholesome and nutritious for high producing
dairy cows as are genetic counterpart hybrids that do not contain
the novel Bt gene.
Marjorie
A. Faust, Associate Professor and Extension Dairy Specialist, Iowa
State University, Ames evaluated a new Bt maize variety containing
a unique Bt gene (Cry1F) that was developed jointly by Pioneer Hi-Bred
International and Dow AgroSciences.
"In
our study, there were no appreciable differences in the nutrient
composition of Cry1F Bt and non-biotechnology derived genetic counterpart
hybrids," said Faust. When dairy cows consumed silage and grain
from these hybrids, there were no differences in their average milk,
fat, and protein yields. Daily milk yields for the groups exceeded
85 lb. per cow during the two month-long feeding periods. "Also,
we detected no differences in dry matter intakes, efficiency of milk
production, milk somatic cell counts, and physical and blood indicators
of health for cows in these feeding groups," she says.
Faust
will present this study at the American Dairy Science Association
conference in Phoenix, Arizona, in June 2003. For more information,
email Faust at mafaust@iastate.edu or
visit http://www.ans.iastate.edu/~ans/faculty/faust.html
EUROPE TO LABEL TRANSGENIC
ANIMAL FEED AND FOODS
Food and
agriculture ministers within the European Commission (EC) have agreed
on a proposal for a regulation on food and feed containing genetically
modified organisms (GMOs).
They set
0.9 percent as the level which food products containing GM elements
require labeling. Food containing more than 0.9 percent would have
to bear labels stating they are GM foods. The new proposal expands
Europe's current labeling law which requires labels for all foods
produced from biotechnology irrespective of biotech DNA or protein
presence in the final product. The accepted level of adventitious
or technically unavoidable presence of biotech material was reduced
to 0.5 percent for the next three years.
A final
adoption of the GMO proposals requires a co-decision between the
Council of Ministers and the European Parliament. The Council will
now send its Common Position for new consideration by the European
Parliament.
For related
information, visit http://ens-news.com/ens/nov2002002-11-28-03.asp
US RELEASES FACT SHEETS
ON GM CROPS IN FOOD AID
The US
State Department has released three fact sheets "designed to
provide information to address concerns about the presence of bio-engineered
crops in US food aid". They explain that food produced with
modern biotechnology has been rapidly adopted by US farmers since
their introduction in 1996. Systems to segregate non-bio-engineered
crops are costly and have been implemented on a very limited scale
in the US. Thus, commodity shipments for domestic use, export as
well as food aid, may contain mixed bio-engineered and non-bio-engineered
products.
Regarding
environmental considerations, one fact sheet states that "there
is no indication that bio-engineered maize varieties currently planted
in the United States would become a weed". Whole kernel maize
provided as food aid is not intended for planting. Even if it is
planted, it will only out-cross with other maize varieties or closely
related plants, which are "geographically restricted to the
Americas". Tests on non-target organisms (such as honey bee,
parasitic wasps, green lacewing, lady beetles, northern bobwhite
quail, earthworm, spring tails, channel catfish and water fleas)
and subsequent field studies have not shown adverse effects. Independent
scientific committees have also conducted reviews.
The Department
of Health and Human Services' Food and Drug Administration is confident
that foods derived from bio-engineered crops for which food safety
reviews have been completed are as safe as their conventional counterparts.
The bio-engineered crops, including maize and soybeans, have been "rigorously
reviewed for environmental and food safety by all relevant U.S. regulatory
agencies". Outside the US, bio-engineered maize and soybeans
have been approved for use in human food in many countries. The food
safety reviews of bio-engineered crops are generally focused on the
safety of the newly introduced trait, and on the safety of the whole
food. The food safety issues considered in the regulatory review
include toxicity, allergenicity, nutritional content, and antibiotic
resistance.
As for
trade issues, food aid grain is intended for immediate consumption
and not for planting. Even if the grain is stored for planting in
the next season, it will probably be consumed as food. The frequency
of GM maize cross-pollinating with other species in Africa will probably
be low. Furthermore, GM maize adapted for the US environment will
probably not grow well in Africa. From a legal standpoint, patents
for GM varieties do not extend to recipient countries. The potential
mixing of bio-engineered maize with non-bio-engineered maize is unlikely
to impact trade with the European Union because few African countries
export maize to Europe. There are no limitations on the export of
livestock that have been fed bio-engineered feed to Europe or other
countries and the European Union has approved the import of many
bio-engineered maize varieties.
Links
are available for environmental considerations (http://www.state.gov/e/eb/rls/fs/15605pf.htm),
agricultural development and trade issues (http://www.state.gov/e/eb/rls/fs/15607pf.htm)
and food safety (http://www.state.gov/e/eb/rls/fs/15606pf.htm).
LIMITED RELEASE
OF GM COTTON APPROVED IN AUSTRALIA
The Commonwealth
Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIRO) in Australia was granted
a license for the intentional release of GM insecticidal (INGARD(r)
and Bollgard II(r)) and insecticidal/herbicide tolerant (Bollgard
II(r)/Roundup Ready(r)) cotton into the environment on a limited
scale and under controlled conditions. This will take place on three
sites, in the shire of Wyndham-East Kimberley, over a total area
of 3 hectares. None of the cotton plants from the release, or their
by-products, would be used for animal and human food. A third application
has also been approved.
The approval
was given by the Australian Office of Gene Technology (OGTR). The
OGTR has also received an application from the Department of Agriculture,
Western Australia (WA) for a license for the intentional release
of GM insecticidal (INGARD(r) and Bollgard II(r)) and insecticidal/herbicide
tolerant (Bollgard II(r)/Roundup Ready(r)) cotton into the environment
on a limited scale and under controlled conditions. The Department
proposes to carry out a limited and controlled release at 30 sites,
Kununurra and Broome in Western Australia, over a total area of up
to 500 hectares. None of the cotton plants from any of these releases,
or their by-products, will be used for human food.
Visit http://ipmworld.com.au/articles.php3?rc=186 for
more information.
ITALIAN SCIENTISTS:
GM CROPS KEY TO FIGHT HUNGER
Scientists
and experts in bioethics are one in saying that genetically-modified
(GM) crops can help fight hunger, as well as protect the environment.
In a debate
organized by the Regina Apostolorum Pontifical Athenaeum in collaboration
with the Italian Ministry of the Environment, scientists and ethicists
defended GM crops and debunked the widely disseminated information
that genetically modified organism (GMO) equals risk.
"New
vegetable technologies represent a great opportunity for the protection
of the environment and the growth of food resources", said Corrado
Clini, director general of the Italian Ministry of Environment.
Clini
mentioned the benefits derived from the use of currently available
GM crops. "In the cultivation of transgenic maize, soybean,
and cotton, the need for pesticides is drastically reduced, while
productivity increases in marginal soils", he said.
Reacting
to the widespread consumer opposition to GMO in Europe, Clini cited
the study carried out by the European Commission in 2001 on the safety
of GM plants which concluded that "there is no evident effects
on health from biotech products, while negative effects can be found
deriving from the use of pesticides and incorrect agricultural practices
in traditional agriculture".
Biotechnology
applications are innumerable in the protection of the environment,
said Milan University professor Francesco Sala. Through biotechnology, "it
is possible to develop plants that can purify soils of industrial
contamination", Sala said. Increase in productivity with the
use of GM crops will also reduce the need to convert forests in developing
countries to produce more food.
For further
information, visit http://www.zenit.org/english
LAW AND MODERN BIOTECHNOLOGY
The Food & Agriculture
Organization (FAO) of the United Nations has made available on its
website a draft study entitled "The role of law in realising
the potential and avoiding the risks of modern biotechnology: Selected
issues of relevance to food and agriculture". Lyle Glowka of
Biodiversity Strategies International prepared the study.
A Panel
of Eminent Experts in Food and Agriculture had earlier requested
FAO to prepare an update on the status of regulations in different
countries concerning the application of biotechnology and GMOs. Glowka
analyzed the nature of instruments addressing biotechnology; public
participation in policy making and regulatory decision making; and
oversight mechanisms. The FAO consultant arrived at general conclusions
on gaps and trends and areas for possible future work.
Highlights
of the study revealed the following insights:
- Biosafety
instruments examined were generally found to be more specific on
public participation than the food safety or consumer protection
instruments examined. Hence, the general principle of public participation
is well established in the biosafety field.
- Access
to information is an important cornerstone of public participation
and is one tool that could help to realize the benefits and avoid
the risks of modern biotechnology.
- Generally,
countries with legislation had more references to public participation
and access to information than countries relying on voluntary guidelines.
- Confidentiality
provisions have proliferated at both international and national
levels. It is important for future instruments to supply principles
to guide the use of confidentiality provisions by decision makers.
A multidisciplinary and/or multi-stakeholder advisory body could
have an important role to play in assisting a competent authority
in its examination of the merits of GMOs, and consequently, in
maximizing the benefits and minimizing the risks of modern biotechnology.
See ftp://ext-ftp.fao.org/ag/cgrfa/BSP/bsp19e.pdf (154
pages, 1.6 MB) or contact cgrfa@fao.org for
more information.
SURVEY ON GM CROP
ADOPTION
South
Dakota farmers have generally positive experience with transgenic
crops (Bt corn, herbicide tolerant (HT) corn, and HT soybeans). They
noted that improved pest control was the most important determinant
of transgenic crop usage. Improved yields was also a major factor
in deciding whether to grow Bt corn, but not nearly as important
for farmers in deciding to grow HT corn and HT soybeans. A reduction
in herbicide application and a decrease in costs were cited as major
factors contributing to the choice of transgenic over conventional
soybeans.
These
findings were forwarded by Evert Van der Sluis and Angella Van Scharrel
of South Dakota State University and Bureau of Finance & Management,
State of South Dakota, respectively. They surveyed 1,000 corn and
soybean farmers to assess farmer attitudes towards transgenic varieties
and to analyze factors contributing to their adoption among agricultural
producers. Other highlights of their study were:
- Respondents
largely expected the technology to benefit local agriculture and
did not express objections against using GM crops.
- There
was a split among those who agreed, were not sure, or disagreed
that biotechnology will hurt American farmers by increasing far
surpluses. Nearly two-thirds indicated that biotechnology would
provide benefits to most South Dakota farmers. Greater returns
from biotechnology for large farm operations than for small ones
were expected.
- More
than two-thirds of the respondents were particularly concerned
about foreign consumer acceptance of GM crop products. Almost half
expected biotechnology to increase foreign competition in US export
markets.
- Bt
corn performance was generally viewed more favorably than that
of HT corn and HT soybean. Nearly three-quarters experienced less
pest damage with using Bt corn.
- Farmers
would revert back to conventional crops if they are unsatisfied
with current or new varieties. Other reasons include concerns about
segregation, the ability to sell the crops, concerns about the
environment, and the potential for receiving a lower price.
The researchers
noted that South Dakota ranked first in the proportion of total cropland
areas devoted to transgenic corn and soybean varieties among the
major US corn and soybean producing states. They averred that the
results could provide indicative insights into attitudes of US farmers
in general.
For more
details of the research email evert_vandersluis@sdstate.edu or
visit http://www.isb.vt.edu/articles/oct0205.htm
US ENVOY TO EU CALLS
FOR ACTION ON BIOTECH ISSUE
US Ambassador
to the European Union Rockwell Schnabel urged the EU to act on the
issue of biotechnology. "The lack of EU progress on restarting
biotech approvals and the Commission's GMO labeling proposals have
failed to counter the scare-mongering on biotech that has gripped
the developing world", said Schnabel in a talk at the EU Policy
Centre in Brussels.
The US
envoy lamented the rejection of Zambia to US food aid in the face
of a starving population by disregarding the scientific evidence
about the safety of GM-derived foods for human consumption. "We
must find ways to deal with the humanitarian crisis in Southern Africa
- together - in spite of our differences on biotechnology. It is
no longer a matter of consumer preference; human lives are at stake",
said Schnabel.
On the
issue of labeling, Schnabel said that "the Commission's labeling
proposals are unworkable, costly and subject to fraud". He adds
that the proposals "will seriously impair trade in agricultural
biotech products and make it harder for developing countries to reap
the benefits of a promising new technology to address hunger and
malnutrition and reduce environmental stress on cropland".
Full text
of Ambassador Schnabel's remarks can be viewed at http://usinfo.state.gov/cgi-bin/washfile/display.pl?p=/products/washfile/latest&f=02120305.wlt&t=/products/
washfile/newsitem.shtml
GM EGGPLANTS BEING DEVELOPED
IN CHINA
Professor
Wenbin Li and his graduate students are making efforts to develop
male sterile and disease resistant varieties of eggplants using genetic
engineering. They are working in the Institute of Genetics and Developmental
Biology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
They said
that in China, most breeding is done conventionally, which requires
a lot of time and hard work. Genetic engineering would simplify the
process.
The team
decided to use one of the most popular vegetables in China, the eggplant,
as a research model. By placing cellulotoxic genes - ribonuclease
barnase under the control of an anther-specific promoter TA29, the
pollen can be destroyed thus leading to male sterility.
Another
study they are involved in is to improve the disease resistance of
eggplants by increasing the production of the rabbit defesin gene.
This gene has demonstrated greater activation against a broad spectrum
of fungi and bacterial disease. If they are able to develop a disease
resistant variety of a transgenic eggplant, they hope to help Chinese
farmers have better defense against eggplant diseases.
For more
information, email wbli@genetics.ac.cn.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
DEBATE ON GM SCIENCE
The scientific
community and members of the public interested in the science of
Genetic Modification (GM) are being invited to take part in a full
and open independent scientific review to examine the extent of current
scientific knowledge behind GM, with particular focus on crops. Scientists
at all levels, in the UK and beyond, are being asked to make contributions
to the review via its web site
http://www.gmsciencedebate.org.uk and
at a series of open meetings being held across England,
Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
BIOTECH KEY ORGANIZATIONS DATABASE
The European
Federation of Biotechnology (EFB) Group on Public Perceptions of
Biotechnology maintains a database containing descriptions and contact
information of some 255 key organizations in biotechnology in Europe.
The information from this database will soon be made available on
the EFB site as a searchable web-based database. Until then, the
information is available as a downloadable excel file from the EFB
library. Contact Botte Jellema for more information through his email
address: efb.cbc@tnw.tudelft.nl
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FOOD, AGRICULTURE
AND ENVIRONMENT
The Journal
of Food, Agriculture and Environment publishes peer-reviewed, original
research, critical reviews and short communications, news and information
on food science and technology, agriculture, animal science and human
nutrition, with particular emphasis on interdisciplinary studies
on the food, and agricultural, and environmental interface.
For more
details contact: The World Food RD Publisher, Meri-Rastilantie 3
C, FIN-009890 Helsinki, Finland by emailing Publisher@world-food.net or
visit http://www.isfae.org
FAO E-MAIL CONFERENCE
The FAO
e-mail conference on "What should be the role and focus of biotechnology
in the agricultural research agendas of developing countries?" began
on 13 November and continues until 11 December 2002. So far, 75 messages
have been posted, from 43 different participants in 22 countries,
with over half of the messages coming from developing countries.
Of the different agricultural sectors and biotechnologies, discussions
so far have focused on the crop sector and genetic modification respectively.
The messages are available at http://www.fao.org/biotech/logs/c8logs.htm or
can be accessed by e-mail after registering for the conference. For
more information, contact biotech-mod4@fao.org
CONFERENCES
- 24-28
March 2003, Florence, Italy. "Advanced research and procedures
in biosafety and risk assessment for the environmental release
of GMOs". Workshop organized by the International Centre for
Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology and the Istituto Agronomico
per l'Oltremare. See http://www.icgeb.trieste.it/TRAINING/CRS03/BSF_Florence.htm or
contact courses@icgeb.org for
more information.
- 26-30
May 2003, Trieste, Italy. "Introduction to biosafety and risk
assessment for the environmental release of genetically modified
organisms (GMOs): Theoretical approach and scientific background".
Workshop organized by the International Centre for Genetic Engineering
and Biotechnology. See http://www.icgeb.org/~bsafesrv/bsfn0211.htm or
contact courses@icgeb.org for
more information.
- September
26 to October 1, 2004, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. 4th International
Crop Science Congress 2004. Theme will be "New directions
for a diverse planet". For more details email 4icsc04@im.com.au or
vist http://www.cropscience2004.com
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