Davao Stakeholders Updated on Crop Biotech and Philippine Biosafety Guidelines |
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Various key stakeholder groups: regulators, farmer leaders, students, scientists, academe, DA information officers, and members and officials of local government units of selected municipalities in Davao region in the Philippines learned about the science, food and environmental safety, and socioeconomic benefits of biotech crops, as well as the biosafety regulatory guidelines in the country, during the Biotechnology 101 & Joint Department Circular (JDC) Public Briefing held on August 16, 2017 at The Pinnacle Hotel and Suites, Davao City.
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Green Revolution Genes Promise More Yield |
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A team of researchers at the John Innes Centre (JIC) led by Professor Robert Sablowski studied DELLA proteins which cause a range of growth responses in plants. Mutations in DELLA genes were selected by plant breeders during the green revolution to increase yield through reduced stem length.
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Terminology Matters in Biosafety Communication |
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Scientists working on transgenic vegetatively propagated crops in Africa have acknowledged the need to simplify terminologies for public communication. Speaking at a joint technical-communication meeting on August 18, 2017, in Nairobi, Kenya, Dr. Margaret Karembu, ISAAA AfriCenter Director, lauded the technical, regulatory and communication team members from the cassava, banana,and potato projects for coming together to define how best to communicate with non-technical stakeholders. "For the public to accept and appreciate efforts going into improving these important food crops, we must shift from using terms that might increase fear and anxiety and begin using those that build trust and confidence," she said.
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CRISPR-Cas9 Genome Editing in Rapeseed |
 CRISPR-Cas9 is a valuable tool for research and has been widely applied to different plant species. However, the efficiency of this method is not available for the allotetraploid rapeseed (Brassica napus), an important oilseed crop. Huazhong Agricultural University researchers evaluated the mutation efficiency of the CRISPR-Cas9 for 12 genes in rapeseed, including paralogous genes.
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| NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD |
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| RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS |
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| PLANT BREEDING INNOVATIONS |
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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.
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| 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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