Crop Biotech Update

September 14, 2016

Kenya's National Biosafety Authority Gives GM Cotton Partial Nod

The National Biosafety Authority (NBA) has approved environmental release (open field cultivation) of MON 15985 event (commonly referred to as Bt cotton) for the purpose of conducting limited National Performance Trials (NPTs). This follows an application submitted by Monsanto Kenya Ltd in October 2015 seeking approval for "environmental release, cultivation and placing on the market."

Study Highlights Impact of Plant Breeding in the EU

Plant breeding innovation has brought significant impacts in European agriculture, such as increase in yield with fewer inputs and less effect on the environment, according to an EU-wide study.

South Asia Biotechnology Centre Invites Public Comments to Support GE Mustard

The South Asia Biotechnology Centre (SABC) is inviting the public to submit comments in favor of the barnase-barstar technology and genetically engineered (GE) mustard hybrid DMH-11 to the Indian Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MOEF). The barnase-barstar technology and GE mustard hybrid DMH-11, rigorously assessed for biosafety over the last decade by regulatory agencies in India, is as safe as conventional mustard, and does not raise any public health or safety concerns for human beings or animal or environment.

Researchers Engineer Potyvirus Resistance in Arabidopsis Using CRISPR/Cas9

In previous studies, members of the eukaryotic translation initiation factor (eIF) gene family, including eIF(iso)4E from Arabidopsis, have been identified as recessive resistance alleles against potyviruses in a range of hosts. However, the introgression of these alleles into major crop species is limited.

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.

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