Biotech Scientists and Communicators Discuss Strategies to Strengthen Knowledge Sharing

Members of the ISAAA Biotechnology Information Network and partners from 12 countries convene in Malaysia on July 10-14, 2016 for the annual network meeting. Every year, ISAAA gathers its network to present best practices in science communication and discuss new strategies to intensify efforts to inform the public with evidence-based information on biotechnology.

Dr. Mahaletchumy Arujanan, Executive Director of the Malaysian Biotechnology Information Center (MABIC) and host of the 2016 meeting, welcomed the participants. ISAAA Chair Dr. Paul Teng facilitated a workshop on funding opportunities while Dr. Rhodora Aldemita, ISAAA Senior Program Officer, talked about the accomplishments of the Global Knowledge Center on Crop Biotechnology (KC) in 2015. Participants from Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Iran, Kenya, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines, Thailand, and Uganda, presented their significant milestones in 2015. New communication tools such as social media, photo sharing, and database management were discussed by the KC staff.

ISAAA also signed a memorandum of understanding with Monash University to continue partnership in disseminating biotechnology information through MABIC.

For more information about the ISAAA-BIC network, contact knowledge.center@isaaa.org.

Team of Researchers Study the Ecology of a New GM Crop

A team of researchers led by University of Connecticut (UConn) plant scientist Carol Auer is studying the interactions between Camelina sativa, a new genetically modified crop and the environment. Auer and her team have been gathering information about Camelina, an oilseed crop that has never been grown commercially in Connecticut. Camelina has been subject to genetic modification to make products such as biofuels, dietary supplements, and bioplastics, and could become popular with farmers in the U.S.

The study's main goal is to understand gene flow, the movement of genes between individual plants within a species or between closely related plant species. Gene flow between plants depends upon the movement of pollen by wind or insects, and the fields at UConn have clearly shown that Camelina attracts pollinators such as honey bees, native bumble bees, and flies.

Over the next few years, the research team will share information they have gathered about Camelina gene flow and weed dynamics with farmers and other stakeholders.

More details are available at UConn Today.

U.S. Senate Passes Biotech Labeling Bill

Voices and Views: Addressing Biotech Critics

ISAAA releases its latest short video (6 minutes) capturing the viewpoints of biotech experts and stakeholders from different countries on how to properly address biotech critics. This is the second ISAAA video of the Voices and Views series.

Watch the video now at the ISAAA website.

SCIENCE SPEAKS

• Gene Drives as an Emerging Biotechnology for Agriculture and Biodiversity Conservation (January 15, 2025)
  
  

GM APPROVAL UPDATES

• The Philippines approved the canola event LBFLFK for food, feed, and processing.
• The Philippines approved the cotton event GFM cry1A for commercial cultivation.
• Brazil approved the wheat event HB4 for commercial cultivation.
• The Philippines approved the soybean event GMB 151 for food, feed, and processing.
• The Philippines approved the eggplant event EE-1 for cultivation
• The USA approved the canola event MON94100  for food and feed.