Crop Biotech Update

June 23, 2021

Kenya National Biosafety Authority Approves Genetically Modified Cassava

On June 22, 2021, the Kenya National Biosafety Authority (NBA) approved the environmental release of genetically modified (GM) cassava event 4046, resistant to cassava brown streak disease (CBSD) developed by the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO).

Could Gene Drive Protect Nature?

ISAAA, in partnership with the Outreach Network for Gene Drive Research and the Biotechnology Information Centers, will be conducting the second session of the Gene Drive Webinar Series. The next session titled Could gene drive approaches be used to protect nature and recover biodiversity loss? will be held on June 24, 2021 at 2 PM Manila (7 AM London/4 PM Sydney) via Zoom.

Award-winning Purple Tomato to be Released in China in Disney Packaging

Purple tomato known as Yoom, which won as Fruit Logistica Innovation Award in Berlin in February 2020, will be distributed in China in packaging featuring well-loved Disney characters. Aside from Yoom, Nebula tomato, which has sweet and full of flavor, will also be packaged in with Disney characters.

Study Finds Gene Editing in Cattle Produces No Off-Target Mutagenesis

Scientists investigated the off-target and de novo mutagenesis in a cattle line bearing edits for diluted coat-color using CRISPR-Cas9 technology. The results revealed that no off-target events were detected during genome sequencing, providing evidence that the technology is an effective tool to rapidly introduce variations into cattle populations with fewer chances of off-target mutations.

NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD

RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS

PLANT BREEDING INNOVATIONS

Study Finds Gene Editing in Cattle Produces No Off-Target Mutagenesis

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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