* GLOBAL * IMPROVED
MAIZE, WHEAT VARIETIES LOWER FARMERS’ RISKS
Modern
maize and wheat varieties not only increase maximum yields
in developing countries but add to farmers’ incomes
by assuring more reliable yields than traditional varieties. “By
reducing the fluctuations in maize and wheat grain yields,
scientists have played a vital role in making modern crop
technology attractive, accessible, and beneficial to farmers
and consumers around the globe,” says Douglas Gollin,
an associate professor of economics in Williams College,
Massachusetts, USA. Gollin
analyzed changes in national-level yield stability for
wheat and maize across developing countries
and related
them directly to the diffusion of modern varieties. His
study shows that “over the past 40 years, there has
actually been a decline in the relative variability of
grain yields.” This
finding, says Gollin, disproves critics’ views that
farmers are exposed to greater risks due to the variability
in yield of modern varieties.
The
study on “Impacts
of international research on inter-temporal yield stability
in what and maize: an economic
assessment” can be downloaded from http://www.cimmyt.org/english/docs/impacts/
ImpIntlResIntertemp.pdf.
A news feature by John Dixon is available at http://www.cimmyt.org/english/
wps/news/2006/jul/steadyasShegoes.htm.
EVOGENE, BIOGEMMA UNITE FOR DROUGHT-TOLERANT CORN
Evogene
and Biogemma, two biotech companies engaged in crop improvement,
have recently announced that they will collaborate
on developing commercial corn lines with improved drought
tolerance. Both companies have already made progress toward
the goal. Evogene’s abiotic stress tolerance program
has identified a set of novel genes that provide high tolerance
to adverse environmental conditions in a number of model
crops. Biogemma, on the other hand, has developed different
genomic approaches to define what will be the best commercial
variety.
For more information, contact Evogene through Chief Executive
Officer Ofer Haviv at ofer.haviv@evogene.com , or visit http://www.evogene.com;
or Biogemma through Chief Executive Officer Michel Debrand
at info@biogemma.com, or visit http://www.biogemma.com. Read
the complete press release at
http://www.evogene.com/press13.htm.
MODERN
BIOTECH – INTEGRAL SUPPLEMENT TO PLANT BREEDING
Traditional
and modern biotechnology must go hand in hand to accelerate
crop improvement and ensure global food security.
The new technology will only complement, but not replace,
conventional plant breeding. Prem P. Jauhar makes this assertion
in a paper “Modern biotechnology an integral supplement
to conventional plant breeding: The prospects and challenges” published
in the online version of the journal Crop Science.
A sensible
regulation of transgenic crops is essential, adds Jauhar. “When carefully deployed, modern biotechnology
will become an integral supplement to conventional plant
breeding and its enormous potential should be harnessed to
the best advantage of the entire human race,” concludes
Jauhar.
Email Prem Jauhar at prem.jauhar@ndsu.edu for additional
information.
* AFRICA *
MEDIA, CIVIL SOCIETIES AND NGOS MEET NEPAD ON BIOTECH
The African Union (AU) and the New Partnership for African
Development (NEPAD) has been challenged to integrate the
media, civil societies, and non-governmental organizations
in their quest to involve the public on biotechnology issues.
The groups, who were presenting their views to the AU/NEPAD
high-level committee on biotechnology consultation forum
in Nairobi, noted that Africa has failed in proper utilization
of modern technologies due to misinformation from interest
groups.
John K. Mutunga the national coordinator of Kenya National
Federation of Agricultural Producers (KENFAP) said that African
farmers were willing to adopt various upcoming scientific
methods to promote better crops production, but were being
hindered by lack of information.
In
her contribution, the Director of International Service
for acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA) Afri-Center
Dr. Margaret Karembu advised Africans to work towards integrating
national priorities with global goals. She also cautioned
African policy makers against making unrealistic regulatory
systems with the intention of blocking the multinationals,
noting that the same laws will also be a hindrance to local
researchers.
For
more information, email Mr. Daniel Otunge of the East and
Central Africa Biotechnology Information
Center (ECABIC)
at dotunge@absf.org.
UGANDA
BEGINS IMPROVING AGRI, INDUSTRY FOR BETTER ECONOMY
Uganda’s
government is now taking steps to improve the country’s
agriculture and industry sectors. In a statement, President
Y.K. Museveni said that the promotion
of research and scientific innovation would be one of his
priorities in the next five years. In addition to this, Finance
Minister Dr. Ezra Suruma announced that a total of 8 billion
Ugandan Shillings (~US$ 4.3 M) will be allocated to research,
in recognition of the role of science in transforming economies. Dr. Suruma also announced that negotiations were underway
for a $30 million loan from the World Bank-funded Millennium
Science Initiative to finance industrial research and advanced
technical training for students. Agriculture being the mainstay
of Uganda's economy, the government underlines the need for
substantial research and industrialization efforts for the
agricultural sector within the wider Plan for modernization
of Agriculture project.
With reports from http://allafrica.com/stories/
200608010077.html andhttp://allafrica.com/stories/
200608010075.html.
SOUTH
AFRICA DEPUTY MINISTER COMMENDS COUNTRY’S BIOSAFETY
REGIME The South
African government’s commitment to public
safety is supported by ongoing efforts to enhance the country’s
capacity to harness the potential of biotechnology to benefit
the poor, but without undermining biosafety. This was expounded
on by Derek Hanekom, South Africa’s deputy science
and technology minister, in his column, which appeared recently
in Business Day.
Entitled “South Africa: Cautiously Sowing the Seeds
of Change,” the article takes a look at recent measures
by the country to ensure the balance of biotechnology and
related research, with the government’s responsibility
of keeping people and environment safe. Hanekom states that
South Africa, as a whole, must recognize that Africa’s “orphan
crops” are not “points of interest” for
multinational companies, so “if we want to produce
improved varieties of crops that have evolved here, we will
have to do so ourselves”.
“Africa's food insecurity means developing agriculture
is an important objective. Genetic modification technologies
-- with potential for pest resistance, drought and herbicide
tolerance, as well as improved nutritional characteristics
-- must surely be part of the solution?” concluded
Hanekom.
Read the complete article at http://www.businessday.co.za/
articles/topstories.aspx?ID=BD4A243447.
* THE AMERICAS * PERU APPROVES LAW FOR THE PROMOTION OF BIOTECHNOLOGY
The Peruvian Parliament approved last July the law for the
development of modern biotechnology in Peru. Modern biotechnology
was declared a national priority, and recognized as a fundamental
tool for technological innovation, competitiveness, and for
sustainable economic development. The law aims to enhance
the productivity of the agricultural, forestry, and fisheries
sectors; to boost the industry; and to improve human health
and nutrition without compromising the preservation of the
environment.
The
law will promote scientific research and education in universities
in the field of modern biotechnology, and will
support the development of private companies for the commercialization
of novel biotechnology applications. Also included in the
legal document are guidelines for the protection of Intellectual
Property Rights (IPR), and for the safeguard of the traditional
knowledge and practices of indigenous local communities.
To
this purpose, the following administrative bodies have
been created: the Executive National Commission of Biotechnology
(CONEBIO); the National Forum of Biotechnology; the Committee
on Bioethics; and the Advisory Committee for Biosafety. Read the law at:http://www2.congreso.gob.pe/
Sicr/RelatAgenda/proapro.nsf/ProyectosAprobadosPortal/
30D7D5DC0876A088052571AA001042A9/$FILE/12033.pdf
DOE TO INVEST $250 MILLION FOR BIOFUEL RESEARCH The U.S.
Department of Energy (DOE) has announced that it will invest
US$250 million to establish and run two Bioenergy
Research Centers for the development of biofuels. The centers
will conduct systems biology research on microorganisms and
plants, with the aim of harnessing and improving on Nature’s
own ways for producing energy from sunlight.
“This is an important step toward our goal of replacing
30 percent of transportation fuels with biofuels by 2030,” said
Secretary Samuel Bodman. “The mission of these centers
is to accelerate research that leads to breakthroughs in
basic science to make biofuels a cost-effective alternative
to fossil fuels.”
Public and private research institutions are eligible to
compete for an award to establish and operate a center. Deadline
for submission of proposals is 1 February, 2007. The centers
are expected to open in 2008 and will be fully operational
by 2009.
Additional
details on the funding opportunity and the centers’ objectives
are available at: http://www.doegenomestolife.org/
centers.
MEXICO INVESTS IN RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY TO BOOST AGRICULTURAL
SECTOR Francisco
Mayorga Castañeda, Secretary for Agriculture,
has announced that 2700 million Mexican pesos (US$246.27
million) have been allocated to address the scientific and
technical needs of the agricultural sector. The funds aim
to increase food production and improve the competitiveness
of the Mexican agricultural sector. Mayorga Castañeda
added that the alliance between national research institutions
and agricultural producers is essential for the interchange
of knowledge and research outcomes, and for the transfer
of technology, to boost productivity and competitiveness.
Read more at: http://www.sagarpa.gob.mx/cgcs/
boletines/2006/agosto/B196.htm
* ASIA *
ASEAN MINISTERS SUPPORT BIOFUELS IN ENERGY MEETING
Development of renewable energy sources, such as hydropower,
biomass, and biofuels should be strengthened, and power trade
cooperation should be promoted amongst members of the Association
of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). This assertion was part
of the Joint Media Statement of the ASEAN Ministers on Energy
Meeting, recently concluded in Vientiane, Lao PDR.
The meeting,
themed “Strategizing for Efficient, Competitive
and Sustainable ASEAN Energy Future,” saw the member
countries’ respective energy ministers exchanging views
on the strategic directions and measures for an efficient,
competitive, and sustainable energy future in the ASEAN.
The ministers emphasized the need for closer cooperation,
as well as exchange of experience in promoting the production
and use of biofuels. To do so, they proposed that relevant
fiscal incentives be formulated, a regulatory infrastructure
drawn up, and funding facilities be identified.
Read the complete press release at http://www.aseansec.org/18582.htm.
IRAQ AGRICULTURAL SYSTEM TO GET U.S. HELP Mike Johanns, Secretary of the United States Department
of Agriculture (USDA), and Dr. Salam Zukam Ali Al-Zawba'I,
Deputy Prime Minister, signed a joint statement of intent
to strengthen and broaden Iraq's agricultural extension system
and universities through partnerships between U.S. and Iraqi
universities. Under USDA sponsorship, the program is designed
to match U.S. land grant colleges and universities with Iraqi
agricultural universities to provide training for Iraqi faculty
members on managing extension services and a variety of related
subjects.
Areas of technical cooperation will include production of
wheat, barley, rice, fruits, vegetables, sheep, and goats;
animal health initiatives; and water resources management.
Read the complete press release at http://www.fas.usda.gov/
scriptsw/PressRelease/pressrel_dout.asp?
Entry=valid&PrNum=0092-06
NSW FARMERS BACK GM CROPS Australia’s New South Wales (NSW) Farmers’ Association
has expressed its support for the commercial release of genetically
modified (GM) crops. This was declared at the Association’s
Annual Conference, concluded recently in Sydney.
“Members
at [the] Annual Conference believe the benefits of GM crops
outweigh the marketing risks and want the ability
to adopt the technology,” Angus McLaren, of the NSW
Farmers’ Association Grains Committee, said, “This
is the first time this organization has supported the move
for the commercial release of GM crops since the debate started.”
The
Association also voted to lobby the Primary Industries
Ministerial Council (PIMC) to set adventitious presence
levels
for all crops, rather than for canola only, as is currently
the case. Farmers also want practical, objective and inexpensive “on-farm” GM
detection tests, as well as an education program in conjunction
with lifting the moratorium. “Lifting the moratorium will put NSW farmers on a
level playing field with some of our biggest international
competitors,” Mr. McLaren concluded. At this stage,
the GM moratorium is set to expire in 2008.
Read
the complete press release at http://www.nswfarmers.org.au/media_centre/news_releases/
farmers_say_Yes_to_GM_crops.
WORK BEGINS ON THAILAND BIOSAFETY LAW Thailand’s Biotechnology Alliance Association (BAA)
has organized a meeting for private sector and researchers
to discuss the draft of the country’s Biosafety Law.
According to BAA President Dr. Sutat Sriwatanapongse, the
meeting aimed to obtain comments from concerned stakeholders
on the likely effects of the draft Biosafety Law on Thai
biotech business. Comments and recommendations will be submitted
for consideration to the office of the Ministry of Natural
Resources and Environment.
In related
news, Setasan Setakarun, president of Thailand’s
Soya Oil Production Association, expressed his wish to see “strong
support from the Government on biotechnology and genetic
engineering for the development of agriculture products.”
“It will be a big mistake for Thailand not to do so
since the country will lose its competitiveness in the world
market,” Setasan said in a statement to reporters.
With
reports from Naewna, as translated by Thailand’s
Biotechnology Information Center (http://www.safetybio.com/).
INDONESIA WORKS ON AGARWOOD
After work on clones of agarwood-producing trees, Yupi Isnaini
of the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Tropical Biology
(SEAMEO BIOTROP), Indonesia has isolated three clones of
Aquilaria trees that produce more resin than conventional
clones. Isnaini is also working on obtaining fungal isolates
and formulating media concentrations that can speed up production
of agarwood resin.
Agarwood refers to the resin-impregnated wood that grows
predominantly in the rain forests of Southeast Asia. Agarwood
is formed in response to fungal infection and this resin
can stop or slow down fungal growth. The resin has been used
for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine, and is important
to the perfume industry in the Middle East, India, Europe,
and Malaysia.
For more information, send an email to yupi@biotrop.org.
For more details, contact dewisuryani@biotrop.org, or visit
http://www.indobic.or.id.
* EUROPE *
ITALIAN SCIENTISTS PETITION FOR GMO RESEARCH
Galileo2001, an association of Italian scientists, has submitted
a petition to the European Commission (EC) calling for research
into genetically modified organisms (GMO) to continue in
Italy. GM crops are still under moratorium in the country,
despite recent directives in the European Union (EU) that
allow field trials to be conducted. Meanwhile, regional governments
have been given the task of establishing areas where field
trials may be conducted, a measure that overloads the regulatory
process.
The petition
is addressed to several EU commissioners, as well as José Manuel Barroso, President of the European
Commission. It calls for the leaders to intervene, “Adopting
the appropriate measures, in order to allow Italian GMO researchers
to resume their work within the EU rules and in collaboration
with the other EU researchers.”
For more
information, contact Professor Bruno Mezzetti of the Università Politecnica
delle Marche, at b.mezzetti@univpm.it. Find out more about
the association at http://www.galileo2001.it/.
EU TO ASSESS BIOTECH APPLICATIONS The European Commission (EC) will carry out a comprehensive
assessment and cost benefit analysis of the consequences,
opportunities, and challenges that applications of modern
biotechnology have for Europe. Up for discussion are economic,
social, and environmental aspects, results of which will
contribute to the midterm review of the life science and
biotechnology strategy in 2006-2007.
By addressing the perceived challenges of the technology,
the Commission looks forward to greater cooperation in decision
making among its Member states that will lead to wider consensus
among them.
As
a guide, the European Union (EU) Directorate General Environment
has released “EU policy on biotechnology” which
provides the EU strategic context, regulatory framework,
regulatory challenges, overview of genetically modified
organisms in the EU, and the research and development
efforts in support
of biotechnology. Download this publication from http://ec.europa.eu/environment/biotechnology/pdf/
eu_policy_biotechnology.pdf
TOBACCO
GENES KEEP ARMYWORMS OUT
The
tobacco precursor protein TobpreproHypSys-A is expressed
when tobacco plants are wounded by herbivores. Can this
protein function also in protecting tobacco from insect
attack? Feng Ren and Ying-Tang Lu of Wuhan University,
China, investigate how “Overexpression of tobacco
hydroxyproline-rich glycopeptide systemin precursor A
gene in transgenic tobacco enhances resistance against
Helicoverpa armigera larvae.” Their work appears
in the latest issue of the Journal of Plant Science.
The
team over-expressed the precursor protein in transgenic
tobacco, and measured levels of known plant defense molecules-
proteinase inhibitors (PI) and polyphenol oxidases (PPO)-,
in both transgenic and wild-type tobacco plants. Feeding
trials with armyworm larvae were also conducted. The
researchers found that: 1) larvae feeding on transgenic
tobacco with the TobpreproHypSys-A gene grew slowly,
and were smaller than those fed on wild-type tobacco;
2) the damage to leaves of wild-type plants by larvae
was more severe than that to leaves of transgenic plants;
3) PIs were expressed in higher amounts in transgenic
plants; and 4) PPO activity was 40 times higher in transgenic
tobacco than it was in wild-type plants.
These
results show that over-expression of TobpreproHypSys-A results in the accumulation of PIs and PPOs, which, in
turn, enhances plant resistance to armyworm larvae. TobpreproHypSys-A is therefore an important gene for signaling defense
against herbivore attack.
Subscribers
to the journal can visit http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/
j.plantsci.2006.04.001 to read the complete article.
PLANT
ACID CONTRIBUTES TO BLIGHT RESISTANCE, RESEARCH FINDS
Phytophthora
blight is an important soil-borne fungal disease that
affects pepper plants all over the world, and can wipe
out pepper harvests. However, one Mexican accession,
Capsicum annuum L. cv. ‘Serrano Criollo de Morelos
334’ (SCM), shows a high level of resistance against
the blight. What is the basis of this resistance?
In
a recent issue of Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology,
Motoko Ueedaa and colleagues from the National Institute
of Vegetable and Tea Science (NIVTS), and Mie University,
Japan, investigate the “Contribution of jasmonic
acid to resistance against Phytophthora blight in Capsicum
annuum cv. SCM334.” Salicylic acid (SA) and jasmonic
acid (JA) are plant hormones that contribute to plant
defense responses to stresses such as wounding, ozone
exposure, and insect or microbial attack.
To
find out the extent of JA’s participation in blight
resistance, scientists grew the SCM cultivar along with
a susceptible cultivar, California Wonder (CW). They
then measured SA and JA levels, as well as gene expression
patterns, during infestation with Phytophtora blight.
Researchers found that JA levels increased in SCM immediately
after infection with the pathogen; but, as time passed,
JA levels decreased, and SA levels increased, accompanied
by hypersensitive-response (HR). HS is a complex, early
plant defense response that causes cell death at the
site of pathogen penetration to restrict the spread of
infection The researchers note that these patterns indicate
that JA-mediated defense is crucial in the resistance
of pepper plants to Phytophtora blight; they also note
that the early appearance of JA, and SA’s later
accumulation, suggest that both hormones play a separate
role in pepper’s defense response.
Subscribers
to the journal can download the complete article through http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.pmpp.2005.12.002
CONFERENCE
TO BE HELD IN MALAYSIA
The
Asia Pacific Conference on Plant Tissue Culture and Agribiotechnology
2007 will be held in Malaysia from January 28 to February
1, 2007, under the auspices of the Asia Pacific Association
of Plant Tissue Culture and Agribiotechnology and the Academy
of Sciences Malaysia. The conference aims to promote research
in all aspects of basic and applied biotechnology, especially
in the areas of plant tissue culture and agricultural biotechnology.
Aside from invited lectures and scientific sessions, other
highlights of the Conference will be an Orchid Symposium,
a Business Forum, and a Trade Exhibition. Deadline for
abstracts is October 31, 2006. For more information, visit
the conference website at http://www.aimst.edu.my/apacpa2007.
SYMPOSIUM
ON SSA SLATED
The “2nd
Networking Symposium on innovations in Agricultural Advisory
Services” will be held in Hotel Africana, Kampala,
Uganda on September 24-27, 2006. This symposium is part
of the effort to foster and enhance experience and lesson-sharing
on agricultural advisory services (AAS) in the Sub-Saharan
African (SSA) region. The Symposium will bring together
140 participants from 19 African countries implementing
innovative approaches and experiences in agricultural extension
delivery. Each country will be expected to prepare and
present a paper on the country’s experiences with
innovative approaches to AAS. Authors are requested to
send their full papers by August 30, 2006 by e-mail to ssanaas2004@yahoo.co.uk,
with a copy to ckiisa@naads.or.ug.
For more information, visit http://www.naads.or.ug/news.php?id=75.
BRAZIL
BIOSAFETY WORKSHOP SCHEDULED FOR 2007
A
workshop on “Biosafety of GM Crops and the Evolution
of Regulatory Frameworks: Issues and Challenges” will
be held September 24-28, 2007 in Belo Horizonte, Minas
Gerais, Brazil. Download the registration form from http://www.anbio.org.br/
eventos/icg_form.doc. Send completed forms to secretaria@anbio.org.br or l.oda@uol.com.br.
For more information, visit http://www.funed.mg.gov.br.
BELGIUM
TO HOST CONFERENCE
“Agricultural
Advisory and Innovation Conference in Brussels - in the
framework of EU Common Agricultural Policy” will
be held on October 2-3, 2006 in Brussels, Belgium. The
conference will be of particular interest for persons in
charge of the development of European agricultural advisory
services. For more information, contact Ms. Kirsten Lund
at kil@landscentret.dk and/or
Mr. Knud Tybirk at knt@landscentret.dk;
or visit http://international.landbrug.cursum.net/client/CursumClient
Viewer.aspx?CAID=223240&ChangedCourse=true.
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