Articles

More than 150 scientists have written a letter to the environment minister, Jayanthi Natarajan on Saturday raising concerns about genetically modified crops. Their primary concern is that Ministry of Agriculture is allegedly making a case for GM crops by stating that the technology is ‘absolutely needed’ for India’s food security. They referred to a recent affidavit filed by the ministry of agriculture in the Supreme Court claiming that nation’s food security will be jeopardized without GM crops. “It also argues that open-air field trials of GMOs are absolutely essential for this.” The scientists in their letter said that there are “many serious scientific and policy fallacies” in the argument made by the Ministry of Agriculture.

Of all the GMO controversies around the world, the saga of Bt cotton in India continues to be one of the most interesting and important. In the latest chapter, reported by the Business Standard, cotton yields have dropped to a 5-year low, setting off a fascinating round of finger pointing. [...] as I have pointed out, most of the rise in productivity had nothing to do with Bt cotton; in fact it happened before Bt cotton became popular.

A Bill whose object includes providing for development and general release of Genetically Modified Organisms in Uganda has been tabled in Parliament. The National Biotechnology and Biosafety Bill, 2012, which also provides for a regulatory framework to facilitate safe development and application of biotechnology, was tabled by the chairperson of the committee on science and technology, Denis Hamson Obua. [...] The Authority will also ensure necessary measures to avoid adverse effects on the environment, biological diversity, human health and on socio-economic conditions arising from GMOs.

A second attempt in Connecticut to pass a law to require food-labeling to inform the public about genetically modified organisms is being crafted by two state Democrats. There is also support from some GOP legislators. In 2012 a bill from the now-retired state representative, Richard Roy was dropped because of fears that it may have been grounds for a lawsuit from Monsanto, who make GMO seeds. This time around Rep. Phil Miller and Rep. Diana Urban are being extra-vigilant in preparing a bill that will be, they hope, litigation-free.

Hawaii might have cause to celebrate, as lawmakers have passed a new measure in the House Committee on Agriculture, requiring labeling on genetically modified food. But will the final bill be everything it was hoped to be? [...] After numerous proponents of the bill testified before the House committee, it passed its second reading on Thursday, but the bill was amended so as to only apply to produce imported from outside Hawaii.

A University of Idaho researcher says he’s optimistic efforts to develop genetically modified potatoes will resurface. Joseph Guenthner, a UI professor in Moscow, Idaho, said he believes it’s possible the organic industry or environmental organizations may one day accept GM potatoes developed using traits from other potato plants. Efforts to develop GM potatoes date back to the 1980s, Guenthner said. Efforts failed due to export market concerns or political pressure by groups like Greenpeace, he said. “Four decades of scientific and economic activity and we don’t have a commercial GM product on the market now,” he said.

Councils to consider prohibiting commercial outdoor uses of GMOs in Northland and Auckland and requiring consents for outdoor field trials

An inter-council working party, representing all local authorities in Northland and Auckland, has recommended to member councils that they consider regulating the outdoor use of GMOs under the Resource Management Act through provisions in their planning documents. This would involve inserting objectives, policies and rules in existing district plans in Northland and in Auckland Council’s new Unitary Plan prohibiting the release of genetically modified organisms to the environment and making field trialing of GMOs a discretionary activity, subject to strict liability conditions for any environmental or economic harm that may eventuate.

People often argue passionately for or against genetically modified crops. Rice Today’s aim here is not to take sides in a debate that has often generated more heat than light, but rather to look at the facts - what is actually happening in relation to GM rice with a separate focus on work underway at the International Rice Research Institute. [...] As of December 2012, commercialized GM rice had not yet become a reality—which means, farmers aren’t growing it and consumers can’t eat it yet. [...] Nevertheless, R&D on GM rice continues to advance in both the public and private sector around the world.

Turnover of genetically modified organisms in Azerbaijan has been included in the list of activities subject to compulsory licensing. The Azerbaijani parliament has passed today the amendments to the Law on the List of Goods in Public Circulation & Subject to Getting a Special Permit for Use.

A bill to introduce compulsory registration of all products containing GM-components is in the final stages of adoption by the Russian parliament. [...] “Already 10 varieties of genetically modified crops have passed certification in Russia. And these are only crops that have been in use for a long time abroad without any negative consequences for human health. I think that GM crops are already cultivated in Russia, but until now this area has not been under our control” - Nikolai Vlasov Deputy Head of Russian veterinary watchdog Rosselkhoznadzor report.