Crop Biotech Update

May 30, 2018

On May 24, 2018, the United States Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) released a statement on GR2E Golden Rice, a rice genetically engineered to produce provitamin A carotenoids. The US FDA statement concurs with the assessment of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) regarding the safety and nutrition of Golden Rice.

Special Screening of Documentary on GMOs held for Legislators in the Philippines

More than 60 people composed largely of legislators, legislative staff, and students "feasted on facts" as the film's tagline puts it, during the special screening of the documentary, Food Evolution, held on May 23 at the Philippine House of Representatives. The film was shown as part of the Biotechnology Exhibit themed Bioteknolohiya: Pambansang Hamon, Pambansang Solusyon (Biotechnology: Our Nation's Challenge, Our Nation's Solution) organized by the Department of Agriculture's Biotechnology Program Office from May 21-24, 2018.

CRISPR Editing Tested on Carotenoid Synthesis Genes in Tomato

Carotenoids are plant secondary metabolites that are important in the diet of higher animals due to their functions in important physiological processes. The team of Caterina D'Ambrosio from Agenzia Lucana per lo Sviluppo e l'Innovazione in Agricoltura in Italy tested the efficacy of CRISPR-Cas9 in tomato by targeting two key genes of carotenoid biosynthesis, Psy1 and CrtR-b2.

Transgenic Pigs that Digest Grains Better can Reduce Pork Industry's Carbon Footprint

A new research published in eLife presents transgenic pigs with the ability to digest more nutrients, which could possibly help reduce the pork industry's environmental impact.

NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD

RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS

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.

DONATE