Biotech Experts Push Forward Bill on Modern Biotech in PH |
Biotech experts in the Philippines aim to advance modern biotechnology in the country to help reduce hunger and poverty, mitigate the effects of climate change, among other benefits. With this objective, a draft bill titled "An Act to Support Modern Biotechnology for Sustainable Rural Development in the Republic of the Philippines and Appropriating Funds Thereof" is being developed by the Coalition of Agriculture Modernization in the Philippines (CAMP), together with other like-minded organizations. On April 25, 2018, the draft bill was discussed in a seminar on plant breeding innovations organized by the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) in Manila. CAMP president, Dr. Benigno Peczon, said that the contents of the proposed draft bill include the establishment of a body called Biotechnology Authority of the Philippines, which will lead the modern biotechnology initiatives in the country. The draft bill is scheduled to be transmitted to the House of Representatives in May 2018. "We have to pass this soon because the poverty in this country is a big problem, and we are falling behind our neighboring countries. This is such a useful technology, but we are tying up ourselves because of that Supreme Court ruling. Our regulatory process is way too slow," stressed Dr. Peczon. Officials of the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications expressed their support for the draft bill. "So, it is one package that provides development boost and, at the same time, carries the cautionary requirement that it supports a safe and responsible use of technology," said Dr. Randy Hautea, Global Coordinator of ISAAA. Dr. Rhodora Aldemita, Director of ISAAA Global Knowledge Center on Crop Biotechnology said that the draft bill would promote research and development (R&D) on biotechnology, give incentives to scientists and educate scientists, especially on agri-biotechnology. For more information, read the original article from Business Mirror.
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USDA Proposes New National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard |
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) invites public comments on the proposed rule to establish the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard mandated by Congress in 2016. The standard will provide a uniform way to offer meaningful disclosure for consumers who want more information about their food and avoid a patchwork system of state or private labels that could be confusing for consumers and would likely drive up food costs.
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Rice with Triple-stack Traits Shows Better Yields Amidst Abiotic Stresses |
Field trials of multiple rice lines carrying the nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), water use efficiency, and salinity tolerance traits show significant increase in yields by up to 50 percent compared to control under various abiotic stresses. The rice lines with triple-stack trait was developed by Arcadia Biosciences and the field trials were conducted by experts from the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) under the Nitrogen-Use Efficient, Water-Use Efficient and Salt-Tolerant Rice (NEWEST) project, coordinated by the African Agricultural Technology Foundation, and sponsored by the Feed the Future initiative of USAID.
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Overexpression of Arabidopsis Gene Enhances Vitamin B6 Content in Potato |
Vitamin B6 is a vitamin required for organisms as a substrate in metabolic reactions. While it is available from the plant dietary resources, the availability of the vitamin in the edible portions of the consumed plants is insufficient to meet the daily recommended doses. Genetic engineering techniques have proven successful in increasing the vitamin B6 content in the model plants.
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A biweekly update on gene editing research, regulations, and impact
produced by ISAAA Inc. |
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A monthly update on gene drive research and development provided by ISAAA in collaboration with the Outreach Network for Gene Drive Research |
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GM APPROVAL UPDATES |
- The Philippines approved the canola event LBFLFK for food, feed, and processing.
- The Philippines approved the cotton event GFM cry1A for commercial cultivation.
- Brazil approved the wheat event HB4 for commercial cultivation.
- The Philippines approved the soybean event GMB 151 for food, feed, and processing.
- The Philippines approved the eggplant event EE-1 for cultivation
- The USA approved the canola event MON94100 for food and feed.
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Biotech Updates is a weekly newsletter of ISAAA, a not-for-profit organization. It is distributed for free to over 22,000 subscribers worldwide to inform them about the key developments in biosciences, especially in biotechnology. Your support will help us in our mission to feed the world with knowledge. You can help by donating as little as $10. |
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