A weekly summary of the world developments in agri-biotech, produced by the ISAAA Global Knowledge Center on Crop Biotechnology.
Crop Biotech Update
<< Previous Issue
August 1, 2018
Next Issue >>

Nigeria Registers Biotech Cotton Varieties for Access to Farmers
Nigeria, Africa's most populous country, has recorded a major breakthrough in crop biotechnology following official approval and registration of two Bt cotton varieties, MRC 7377 BGII and MRC 7361 BGII, by the National Committee on Naming, Registration and Release of Crop Materials. This development means farmers can now access biotech cotton seeds in addition to other conventional varieties once the permit holder multiplies the registered varieties. Nigeria also becomes the seventh African country after South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Kenya, Malawi, and Ethiopia to grant open cultivation approval for the crop. Latest global update indicates a total of 14 countries grew 24.1 million hectares of biotech cotton reaching an adoption rate of 80 percent. India had the largest acreage of 11.4 million hectares.

READ MORE

Genetically Modified Rice Can Neutralize HIV
An international team of researchers from Spain, the United States, and the United Kingdom has successfully created a strain of genetically modified (GM) rice that will produce HIV-neutralizing proteins.

READ MORE

Experts Review Social and Economic Impacts of Biofortification through Biotech
Biofortification of crops through genetic modification can effectively lessen the burden of micronutrient deficiencies in an economically viable way. This is according to review article authored by economics and policy experts from the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Ghent University, and European Commission and published in Current Opinion in Biotechnology.

READ MORE

Rice with Less Stomata Needs Less Water; Better Suited for Climate Change
Scientists from The University of Sheffield have discovered that developing a high-yielding rice variety with reduced stomatal density helps the crop conserve water and survive high temperatures and drought.

READ MORE
NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD
PLANT
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS
News Archive | Translations

Gene Drive Supplement
A biweekly update on gene editing research, regulations, and impact
produced by ISAAA Inc.

Read Latest Issue (September 27, 2023)

Gene Drive Supplement
A monthly update on gene drive research and development provided by ISAAA in collaboration with the Outreach Network for Gene Drive Research

Read Latest Issue (February 22, 2023)

SCIENCE SPEAKS

Visit Science SpeaKs blog

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.

Visit GM APPROVAL DATABASE
Biotech Updates is a weekly newsletter of ISAAA, a not-for-profit organization. It is distributed for free to over 22,000 subscribers worldwide to inform them about the key developments in biosciences, especially in 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
FB   TW   IG   YT