In This
Issue:
BIO-ERA
RELEASES REPORT ON AGRI-BIOTECH INDUSTRY
Companies
need to adopt new, collaborative, multi-stakeholder strategies
for product development, risk management, public education, and
advocacy. This was a recommendation of Bio Economic Research Associates
(Bio-Era), a US-based research and advisory firm. Bio-Era recently
released its report on "Agricultural Biotechnology at the
Crossroads, Part I: The Changing Structure of the Industry" written
by Bio-Era directors Gregory Graff and James Newcomb.
Bio-Era
founder and CEO Stephen Aldrich said that "By now, all biotechnology
companies should realize that no amount of "benefits jawboning" will,
by itself, overcome the objections of a public that responds emotionally
to genetically modified (GM) products. Companies need to develop
strategies that fully respect the power of other legitimate stakeholders
to influence the political, regulatory, trade and consumer choices
that will ultimately determine their success or failure."
Aldrich
added that if these obstacles are overcome, the "third wave" of
commercial GM products will move well beyond the initial generation
of products. The next generation products will include:
- GMO
crops with pest and disease protection traits for parts of the
world where chemical pesticides are very expensive
- Plant-based
plastics, polymers, and films including other bio-based products
like lubricants and functional fluids
- High
value-added pharmaceutical crops
The
full report is available at http://www.bio-era.net
REPORT ON GM CROPS
IN EUROPE NOW AVAILABLE
The
UK PG Economics Ltd has released its new report "GM Crops
in Europe - Planning for the End of the Moratorium" which
examines the likely future development of genetically modified
(GM) crops in Europe, once EU-wide legislation is in place and
the moratorium is lifted.
Among
the key forecasts discussed in the report are:
- It
is likely to be another 2-3 years before GM seed is widely available
to EU producers of corn and possibly 3-4 years before GM seed
is widely available for other crops like oilseed rape and sugar
beet. GM wheat is unlikely to be available to EU farmers until
2008-2010.
- In
five years time the penetration of GM crops in EU arable crop
production is likely to be limited to no more than a 10% share
of cultivation in some crops like corn. This largely reflects
the time period required to complete regulatory approval processes
and to get GM Events into leading varieties (in commercial quantities
of seed) and the continued existence of some anti-GM sentiment
among consumers.
- In
10 years time, GM arable crop penetration in the EU will largely
reflect the extent to which specific pests and weeds (which are
targeted by GM traits) are considered to be a problem for farmers.
The
report was written by Graham Brookes and Peter Barfoot, directors
of PG Economics. For more details email Graham Brookes at graham.brookes@internet.com
or see a summary article at http://www.bioportfolio.com/news/pg_2.htm
VENEMAN: REVIEW BIOTECH REGULATIONS
"We
are already seeing the benefits of crop biotechnology, and researchers
are making incredible inroads into new uses for biotech crops and
animals. As scientists push back the frontiers of biotechnology,
government regulators are greeted with enormous challenges. Failure
to regulate effectively could undermine consumer confidence, cost
farmers valuable markets -- both domestic and export -- and delay
the enormous public and private benefits that can be reaped from
applying biotechnology to food and nonfood uses." Agriculture
Secretary Ann M. Veneman raised this major point during her keynote
address at the opening of the 79th Annual Agricultural Outlook
Forum in Crystal City, Virginia, USA.
Veneman
also announced that she has formed an interagency team to thoroughly
review current regulations pertaining to all aspects of biotechnology,
particularly those that may be required for new pharmaceutical
and industrial crops.
The
Agriculture Secretary shared her insights on some key priorities
for the food and agriculture sector to help American farmers better
compete in the 21st century. Several critical areas that Veneman
deemed important to help shape the agricultural industry are:
- Applying
technology to its fullest potential, advancing alternative uses
for agricultural products and adopting a forward-looking regulatory
system that ensures the integrity of technology advancements
in food and agriculture;
- Strengthening
the nation's food safety systems and ensuring the protection
of the food supply against potential bioterrorist threats;
- Improving
and expanding risk management tools for producers to better prepare
the agriculture sector when it faces difficult and challenging
times; and
- Continuing
to expand and open new international markets and working harder
to educate all involved about the perils to agriculture if progress
is not made in this area.
For
the full story see http://www.usda.gov/news/releases/2003/02/0066.htm
GM CROP ACREAGE INCREASING
IN SOUTH AFRICA
Total
acreage of genetically-modified (GM) crops in South Africa will
increase from 200,000 ha in the 2001-02 season to about 230,000
ha in the 2002-03 season. Deborah Spicer of Engineering News quotes
Africa Bio director Wynand van der Walt as giving this provisional
forecast, pending more information from industry sources.
A several-fold
increase in the acreage devoted to the growing of white corn is
expected. Compared to only 0.6 percent of total white corn produced
last year, it is expected that figures will rise to 5 percent in
2002-03 season. White corn is being grown for human consumption.
For
GM yellow corn which is used in animal feed stock, it is estimated
that production will rise from 14 percent to about 18-20 percent
for the 2002-03 season.
More
information on AfricaBio at http://www.africabio.com
SCIENCE FOR AFRICAN
FOOD SECURITY
How
can food security be achieved by small-scale farming families across
Africa? Gordon Conway and Gary Toenniessen of the Rockefeller Foundation
in New York enumerate three major lessons from using technological
innovations in Africa:
- Farmers
need access to affordable inputs, including seeds and fertilizer,
and to output markets for their products.
- Science
and technology can make a difference in African agriculture.
In combination with indigenous knowledge, many problems can be
solved using modern science.
- Costs
of developing these technologies are low but have significant
impact. The 16 research centers of the Consultative Group on
International Agricultural Research is doing work conducted in
partnership with national scientists, advanced laboratories,
local nongovernment organizations, seed companies, and farmers
themselves.
In an
article entitled " Science for African Food Security" published
in the February 21, 2003 issue of Science, Conway and Toenniessen
say that with such partnerships in place, there is reason for optimism.
They also recommend that African leaders need to re-establish their
strong commitment to agricultural research and development. The
donor community needs to make a decade-long commitment of sustained
support. In addition, they call for more proactive sharing of knowledge,
skills, and research materials with African colleagues. With all
these in place, "only then can we be reasonably confident
that food security will be achieved by small-scale farming families
in Africa", the authors conclude.
Visit
Science at http://www.sciencemag.org
SCIENTISTS CALL FOR
EUROPEAN RESEARCH COUNCIL
Set
up a pan-European body to fund long-term basic research. This was
expressed by majority of scientists at a meeting organized by the
European Life Sciences Forum, in conjunction with the European
Molecular Biology Organization, Federation of European Biochemical
Societies, and the Division of Basic and Engineering Sciences of
UNESCO.
Laura
Spinney of The Scientist reports that this body, called the European
Research Council (ERC) is "the only way to reverse the drain
of Europe's young brains to the US." The ERC idea was first
discussed a decade ago as a way to cut through the bureaucracy
of the existing funding system, preventing duplication and fragmentation
of resources, and improving the quality of Europe's scientific
outputs. The idea was revived due to the widening gap in the quality
of research and inability of Europeans to turn basic science into
products and services.
John
Sulston of the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute in Cambridge, UK
said that the body should be complementary to the existing European
Union Framework Programme and should not replace national research
councils.
See
additional news at http://www.biomedcentral.com/news/20020920/06/
ISNAR DEVELOPS POLICY
REGULATORY FRAMEWORK
A new regulatory framework may help developing countries safely deploy genetically
modified (GM) plants and animals without rushing through piecemeal biosafety
regulations.
The
new procedures provide a framework to improved decision-making
about food safety and the use of genetically modified organisms
(GMOs), according to its designers. Scientists associated with
the project believe that the new procedures will help developing
countries make better judgments about their use of biotechnology
and the importation of GM food crops.
The
framework was developed over a five-year period by scientists at
the International Service for National Agricultural Research (ISNAR)
in collaboration with researchers in more than a dozen countries
and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization. One of the framework's
most important function is to help developing countries tackle
problems associated with the approval and distribution of genetically
modified crops and food aid, says ISNAR researcher Joel Cohen.
Cohen notes that Zambia and Zimbabwe, which both still face large food shortages
over the coming months, initially banned the importation of GMO grains. However,
after much review, the countries have now accepted GM corn, as long as it is
milled for flour, and cannot be used as seed.
The
problem in Zambia, Cohen says, was made particularly difficult
by the fact that government policymakers and regulators lacked
the tools needed to make balanced decisions or the biosafety procedures
necessary to control events during an emergency. An effective biosafety
system ensures the safe use of biotechnology without imposing risks
on human health or the environment, or unintended constraints on
technology transfer and trade.
The
framework, which is currently available in the form of a web-based
toolbox, will be released in its final form as CD-Rom in 2003.
For
more information about biosafety issues and the ISNAR-FAO decision
toolbox and framework, visit: http://www.isnar.cgiar.org/ibs/biosafety/index.htm
BIOTECH AS A POVERTY-FOCUSED
TECHNOLOGY
"The
image of plant biotechnology as dominated by huge corporations
is strong in the public's mind, but by giving it a poverty focus,
the technology has the power to ease hunger in developing countries," argues
Howard Atkinson, Director of the Centre of Plant Biochemistry and
Biotechnology, University of Leeds in the United Kingdom.
Espousing
the "Robin Hood" approach for plant biotechnology, Atkinson
states that biotechnology should be viewed as an entity that is
separated from the interests and control of biotechnology companies,
for it (biotechnology) to have a poverty focus. The technology
must also be able to address all the safety concerns as supported
by scientific findings.
Citing
the case of the nematode resistance technology developed at the
University of Leeds as an example of an appropriate transgenic
technology, Atkinson stated that the University used the "Robin
Hood" approach by licensing the nematode resistance technology
for agribusiness purposes. And, at the same time, donated it for
developing world applications through a royalty-free license to
the Plant Sciences Research Program of the United Kingdom Department
for International Development.
Other
highlights of Atkinson's paper entitled "A Robin Hood Approach
to Plant Biotechnology," are as follows:
- New
plant biotechnologies have the potential to increase food production
to meet future needs.
- Publicly
funded research is required that will transform important crops
for use by developing countries.
- New
technology should require no extra knowledge or resources by
the grower to implement it in developing countries.
- Intellectual
property protection can secure funds for further research, but
developing countries can be awarded royalty-free licenses.
- Biotechnology
companies should be persuaded to donate the technology from related
plants, if they have no financial interest in a crop.
The
full paper of Howard Atkinson can be downloaded at http://www.biology.leeds.ac.uk/psp/publications/biotech/biotech3.htm
ICRISAT AND MSSRF
PLAN VIRTUAL UNIVERSITY ON DROUGHT
The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT)
and the MS Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) have initiated the process
for establishing a Semi-Arid Tropics Virtual University (SAT-VU). Using information
and communication technology (ICT) tools, the intention is to provide critically
needed information to farmers in India and support them through drought.
"To
mitigate the effects of drought there is an urgent need for sustained
information, education and social mobilization effort among the
strategic sectors of society, especially among the most vulnerable
rural communities," said Dr. William Dar, Director General
of ICRISAT.
Agricultural
scientist MS Swaminathan, Chairman of MSSRF, is co-hosting the
Roundtable for working out a plan of action for the SAT-VU. National
bodies such as the Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR)
and the India Meteorological Department (IMD), are represented
in the Roundtable. Senior representatives from the Governments
of Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh; Indian and Sri Lankan national
open universities; and the state open universities of Andhra Pradesh,
Maharashtra and Rajasthan are also attending.
The
aim is to launch the SAT-VU on World Environment Day on 5 June.
A task force will be established for this once the ICRISAT Governing
Board endorses the concept.
The
Virtual University concept envisages a consortium of institutions
using ICT applications to work together to deliver content and
programs to learners. Unlike a conventional university associated
with a single institution, the SAT-VU will be a seamless organization
linking the expertise from many institutions.
More
on ICRISAT at http://www.icrisat.org and
the M.S. Swaminathan Foundation at http://www.mssrf.org
BIOTECH CAN IMPROVE
LIVES, SAYS NGUBANE
Biotechnology has great potential for Africa. Ben Ngubane, South Africa's Minister
of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology stressed this during the New Partnership
for Africa's Development (NEPAD) meeting on science and technology. "Today
we have immense opportunities that can help the African science and technology
community utilize technology such that it can reduce the levels of poverty
in the continent. Biotechnology is one of the greatest sources of untapped
knowledge that is offering a mechanism to improve the lives of millions of
people in Africa. In fact, biotechnology has become increasingly commonplace
in many industrialized countries, often promoted by new forms of institutional
arrangements and public policy," he said.
The
meeting brought together government officials from the five NEPAD
initiating countries (South Africa, Egypt, Algeria, Senegal and
Nigeria), researchers from various African knowledge institutions,
representatives of sub-regional bodies such as Southern African
Development Community, the Economic Community of West African States,
Economic Commission for Africa, Arab Maghreb Union, and the Common
Market of Eastern Southern Africa, as well as experts from multilateral
bodies such as the World Bank, the European Union, UNESCO, and
the International Development Research Centre of Canada.
The
meeting proposed that a Forum on Science and Technology should
be set up to raise the profile of science and technology. It would
consist of African science ministers and presidential science advisors.
A declaration
issued at the meeting included a recommendation to promote centers
of excellence, and establish regional research and innovation programs
focusing for example on space science, desertification, biotechnology
and information technology.
EPA CLEARS MONSANTO'S
GM CORN
The
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently granted Monsanto
a commercial registration for YieldGard Rootworm corn after the
latter completed the Agency's comprehensive environmental safety
assessment. YieldGard Rootworm corn is the first biotech product
of this nature that was allowed for commercialization.
EPA's
extensive assessment process for YieldGard Rootworm corn included
an evaluation of the numerous safety studies conducted on the product,
examination of commercial-level environmental impacts, and an assessment
of stewardship practices, including insect resistance management.
With the granting of this commercial registration, EPA declares
the product as posing no adverse human health or environmental
safety concerns.
Other
researches conducted at academic field trial locations during the
past three years also showed that YieldGard Rootworm corn is more
consistent in controlling rootworm damage than the leading insecticides.
Other agencies that have previously completed their reviews of
the YieldGard Rootworm corn were the US Department of Agriculture
(USDA), and the Food and Drug Administration.
YieldGard
Rootworm corn contains a protein from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt),
a common bacterium that specifically targets the corn rootworm
larvae. This protein allows the corn plant to naturally protect
its roots against the damaging corn rootworm. The US Department
of Agriculture (USDA) estimates that corn rootworm pest accounts
for $1 billion in revenue losses in corn crops every year.
The
news release can be downloaded at http://www.monsanto.com/monsanto/layout/media/03/02-25-03.asp
SOLVING ALLERGY TO
PRAWNS AND NUTS THRU GE
US scientists
are working at countering allergic reactions to shellfish and peanuts
by genetically-engineering the allergens out. This was announced
by Dr. Sam Lehrer of Tulane University in New Orleans at the annual
meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science
in Denver, USA.
Lehler
discussed new techniques being developed to reduce allergic reactions
to food. Initial focus was to understand the potential risks of
allergens in genetically modified (GM) foods which is a potential
health concern. Hence, the need to study the properties of food
molecules responsible for allergenicity is essential.
Lehrer's
lab has been investigating the allergic properties of prawn and
has successfully altered the IgE binding sites on the allergenic
protein by altering the amino acid sequence. This alteration reduces
the IgE-binding ability of the protein, but not its function. The
protein targeted - tropomysin - is a muscle protein, and accounts
for 80 to 85% of the allergenicity encountered by humans from eating
prawns.
Although
it might take several years for allergen-free prawns and peanuts,
Lehrer said he hoped that the research would provide insights into
allergenicity and help reduce potential allergic reactions to known
and novel allergens in the future.
The
full report is in http://abc.net.au/science/news/stories/s791308.htm
BT TOXINS EFFECTIVE
AGAINST PARASITIC ROUNDWORMS
Raffi
V. Aroian, Jun-zhi Wei, and colleagues at the University of California,
San Diego (UCSD) discovered that Bacillus thuringiensis, or Bt,
a bacterium that produces natural protein insecticides, is also
effective in killing nematodes. This discovery is the first time
scientists have verified that Bt toxins can widely affect parasitic
nematodes.
The
UCSD biologists investigated the potential for Bt toxins as an
anti-roundworm agent after Cry5B, a Bt crystal protein, destroyed
the intestines of the common laboratory nematode, C. elegans. Bt
toxins commonly attack and dissolve the intestines of their insect
hosts. The researchers also discovered that two other Bt crystal
proteins, Cry6A and Cry14A, had the ability to significantly reduce
the ability of C. elegans to produce numerous young.
This
discovery by Aroian and colleagues serves as a springboard for
the development of inexpensive and environmentally safe means for
the control of parasitic roundworms that destroy billions of dollars
worth of crops in the United States each year. Other parasitic
nematodes are also major agricultural pests that destroy economically
important crops such as corn, soybeans, potatoes and tomatoes.
At present,
Bt toxins play an important role in controlling insects in third
world countries. These toxins are now being used in genetically
modified cotton, corn and other crops to control caterpillars and
beetles.
For
more details, see the news release at http://ucsdnews.ucsd.edu/newsrel/science/mcbttoxin.htm
GM ALFALFA TO PREVENT
SHIPPING FEVER?
Researchers at the University of Guelph, Canada, are aiming to exploit developments
in edible vaccine technology to speed up the vaccination of large herds of
cattle. They have started by genetically modifying alfalfa which they hope
will protect against shipping fever, a costly respiratory disease of beef cattle.
Prof.
Patricia Shewen and Douglas Hodgins from the Ontario Veterinary
College have teamed up with researchers in the College of Biological
Science and the Ontario Agricultural College to develop the vaccine.
Prof. Shewen commented, "The ideal approach in vaccination
is to introduce the organism that causes disease through its natural
route of entry into the body. This way the body develops a barrier
of protection in the most ideal location - where the organism would
normally produce disease."
Shipping
fever occurs in cattle when the stress of movement weakens their
immune system and they develop viral and then opportunistic bacterial
infections. Mannheimia haemolytica (Pasteurella haemolytica), a
bacterium that resides in the tonsils, is the major cause of the
disease. Following natural exposure, an immune response to M. haemolytica
is generally not powerful enough to ensure future protection against
re-infection. The researchers hope they can vaccinate against shipping
fever by exposing the tonsils to M. haemolytica antigens.
To accomplish
this, they have genetically modified alfalfa to produce the antigens.
Now, they're feeding this alfalfa to unvaccinated calves to see
if they will develop immunity to the disease in their tonsils.
For
more information, contact Patricia E Shewen at her email address: pshewen@ovc.uoguelph.ca
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
GKC BRIEF
ON GLOBAL HECTARAGE OF GM CROPS
The
Global Knowledge Center on Crop Biotechnology of the International
Service of the Agri-biotech Applications (GKC-ISAAA) has made available
on its website a brief on the global hectarage of genetically modified
crops in 2002 by Dr. Clive James, ISAAA chair. To view or download
the article, go to http://www.isaaa.org/kc/Bin/index.htm
FAO ARTICLE ALSO IN FRENCH AND SPANISH
An article
from the Food and Agriculture Organization entitled "Bananas
Not on Verge of Extinction" is available online at http://www.fao.org/english/newsroom/news/2003/13120-en.html.
Translations in French and Spanish are also available.
EGYPT CONFERENCE ON GM FOODS
An international
conference and workshop on the challenges of genetically modified
foods will be held on May 27 to 30 in Cairo, Egypt. For more information,
contact the International Coordinator, Dr. Mahmoud El Hamalawy,
at hamalaway@hotmail.com. | 
