Feeding the World with Knowledge: Latest Communication Products from ISAAA Inc.

The International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA), Inc. has been at the forefront of delivering knowledge products to various stakeholders in the developing world. Armed with the vision of a world where accurate biotech information empowers farmers and consumers to drive food security through innovation, ISAAA Inc. continues to be a global resource for accurate, reliable, and accessible information on agricultural biotechnology, empowering farmers and consumers to make informed choices and improving food security through innovative solutions. 

Together with its partners, ISAAA Inc. continues to contribute to the knowledge of biotechnology and biosciences by producing information, education, and communication (IEC) materials that are available for free download on the ISAAA website. Researchers, academics, and students are highly encouraged to download, use, and share these materials with other stakeholders.  

 

Pocket K: Rust-resistant Soy in Africa

ISAAA Inc., in partnership with 2Blades, has released the Pocket K Rust-Resistant Soy for Africa, a free, mobile-friendly resource available for download on the ISAAA website. This publication offers concise information about the 2Blades-developed transgenic soybean designed to combat Asian soybean rust (ASR) disease, a growing threat to soybean production in Africa, particularly Kenya. The Pocket K explores the increasing demand for soybeans in Africa, the emergence of ASR, various solutions including crop protection, breeding, and biotechnology, and the importance of partnerships in delivering ASR-resistant soybeans. Pocket Ks, or Pockets of Knowledge, provide readily accessible information on biotechnology products and related topics optimized for mobile devices. 

Infographics: Countries Approving GM Crop Cultivation
 

Over 30 countries have approved the cultivation of genetically modified (GM) crops as of 2024, demonstrating a significant increase in the use of biotechnology to sustainably address global challenges like food security and climate change. The ISAAA infographic titled Countries Approving GM Crop Cultivation presents a global map with details on the countries that granted commercial approval to GM crops and the list of GM crops approved for planting. Another infographic on the Contributions of Biotech Crops to Food Security, Sustainability, and Climate Change Solutions is also available on the ISAAA website. 

Database: Gene-Edited Animals for Agricultural Applications

The Gene-Edited Animals for Agricultural Applications Database, compiled in collaboration with the University of California - Davis, lists gene-edited animals developed for agricultural use. The database's information is drawn from the scientific report of Van Eenennaam, AL. (2023) on new genomic techniques (NGT) in animals and their agri/food/feed products published in ESFA Supporting Publications, Vol. 20 (Issue 9). ISAAA also features GM crop approvals in another open-access resource, GM Approval Database. 

Magazine: Double Helix Issue on Climate Change

Double Helix is the first and only magazine supplement on agricultural biotechnology for senior high school students taking the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) strand in the Philippines. The fourth issue of Double Helix explores the topic of climate change, featuring articles by leading experts. Dr. Jaime A. Manalo IV (Philippine Rice Research Institute) provides a climate change backgrounder, Dr. Gabriel O. Romero (Philippine Seed Industry Association) discusses climate-resilient crops, and Dr. Ernelea P. Cao (University of the Philippines Diliman) examines climate-adapted animals. The issue also includes an infographic on the role of biotech crops in addressing food security, sustainability, and climate change, and a science activity with Klima. Double Helix offers links to further resources and QR codes connecting to related ISAAA Inc. materials. This free magazine is available for download from the ISAAA Inc. website.

Visual Monograph: Farmers Speak: Stories from the Fields

ISAAA Inc., in partnership with the Department of Agriculture's Philippine Agriculture and Fisheries Biotechnology Program (DA Biotech Program), produced a visual monograph that documents the positive impact of biotech corn adoption on the lives and communities of Filipino farmers. This monograph is the second edition of the previously published Farmers First: Feedback from the Farm which featured the impact of biotech adoption on farmers in China, India, and the Philippines. 

Policy Brief: The Potential of Novel Foods in Addressing Food Security in the Philippines

Authored by Dir. Fides Marciana Z. Tambalo, Ms. Sophia M. Mercado, and Mr. Arnold T. Abuyog of the University of the Philippines Los Baños - National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (UPLB-BIOTECH), the policy brief tackles molecular farming for novel food components, novel food from new sources and traditional food, and challenges to the adoption of novel food products. Products developed by UPLB-BIOTECH, such as microbial enzymes, microbial rennet, MONASCUS RED® food colorant, probiotic guava leaf-based beverages, and Proculant™, were also explained in the policy brief. 

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