Crop Biotech Update

October 2, 2019

GM Crops Benefit Farmers' Mental Health, Consumers' Overall Health

University of Saskatchewan's Stuart J. Smyth detailed the human health benefits from genetically modified (GM) crops particularly those of small landhold farmers in developing countries. The publication tackled situations such as pesticide reduction, suicide rates, lowered cancer incidences, and mental and nutritional benefits.

SEARCA-BIC Spearheads Regional Public Briefing and Social Media Training on Agri-biotech

More than 200 stakeholders from four provinces in the CARAGA Region along with representatives from the academe, media, and other attached agencies learned about biotechnology, safety of genetically modified (GM) crops, different biotech products in the pipeline, and the country's biosafety regulations during the Biotechnology 101 and Joint Department Circular (JDC) Public Briefing held on October 1, 2019 in Butuan City, Philippines. A training on Storytelling Agri-Innovations thru Social Media was held on October 2, 2019, attended by around 20 information officers from the province.

Brazil Seeks Active Cooperation with Gulf States on GM Food R&D

Brazil aims to continue improving GM crop adoption and research by dedicating 2,400 scientists for research and development of GM crops. This is according to Tereza Cristina Corr�a Da Costa Dias, Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply, who visited the United Arab Emirates to initiate partnerships in improving the agricultural sector.

Disruption of a Small Non-coding RNA Leads to Better Rice Yield

Previous studies have shown the microRNA miR396 prevents rice GROWTH-REGULATING FACTORS (OsGRFs) and regulates rice yields and nitrogen assimilation. When miR396 is overexpressed, it targets OsGRF4 and OsGRF6, improving rice yield. Scientists at Chinese Academy of Sciences used CRISPR-Cas9 to evaluate more functions of miR396 in rice.

NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD

RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS

Scientists Isolate and Characterize C-Repeat Binding Factor-Coding Gene from Maize

PLANT BREEDING INNOVATIONS

GM APPROVAL UPDATES

The Philippines approved cotton MON88701 for food, feed, and processing.
The Philippines approved corn MON87427 x MON89034 x TC1507 x MON87411 x 59122 for food, feed, and processing.
The Philippines approved eggplant EE1 for food, feed, and processing.
The Philippines approved corn MON87429 for food, feed, and processing.
The Philippines approved rice GR2E for commercial propagation.
The Philippines approved (renewal) corn MON89034 for commercial propagation.

Visit GM APPROVAL DATABASE

The Crop Biotech Update is a weekly newsletter of ISAAA, a non-for-profit organization. The CBU is distributed for free to over 23,000 subscribers worldwide to inform them about the key developments in biosciences, especially in agricultural 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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