Crop Biotech Update

March 16, 2016

Suppressing Growth: Opposition to GMOs Hurting Developing Nations

A new study published by the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF) and authored by Val Giddings, Robert D. Atkinson, and John Wu reveals how opposition to genetically modified organisms (GMOs) hurts developing nations. According to the report, campaigns against GMOs, originating primarily in Europe, have created significant obstacles to the development and adoption of genetically modified crops. The authors emphasized that the restrictive climate for agricultural biotech innovations could cost low- and lower-middle-income nations up to US$1.5 trillion in foregone economic benefits through 2050.

Study Suggests Climate Change Impact on Agriculture is Underestimated

How climate change might affect the food supply for a growing population is a critical concern. A new study conducted by researchers from Brown and Tufts universities suggests that researchers have been overlooking how two key human responses to climate � how much land people choose to farm, and the number of crops they plant � will impact food production in the future.

Scientists Unravel Unknown Receptors and Mechanism for Plant Fertilization

In 2009, Professor Tetsuya Higashiyama of Nagoya University and his colleagues discovered that a synergid cell located next to the egg cell, produces molecules called LUREs that attract pollen tubes in Torenia plants. They also discovered similar LURE peptides in Arabidopsis thaliana in 2012.

New EU Project Focuses on Crops Important for Food Security and Bio-Economy

A new large-scale European project aims to measure crop plants and their response to changes in the environment. The European Multi-Environment Plant Phenomics and Simulation Infrastructure, or EMPHASIS, is part of the new European Strategy Forum for Research Infrastructures (ESFRI) roadmap, in which the member states of the ESFRI Forum coordinate research strategies in Europe.

NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD

RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS

GM APPROVAL UPDATES

Russia approved corn TC1507 for food, feed, and processing.
Russia approved corn MZHG0JG for food, feed, and processing.
Russia approved corn DAS40278 for food, feed, and processing.
South Korea approved canola MS11 for food use.
The Philippines approved corn Bt11 x MIR162 x MON89034 x GA21 for food, feed, and processing.
The Philippines approved potato Y9 for food, feed, and processing.

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.

DONATE