Asia-Pacific Consortium on Agricultural Biotechnology and Bioresources
Current News
Resource Document on Gene Editing for Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security in Asia-Pacific Region
30 December 2023
The Resource Document on “Gene Editing for Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security in Asia-Pacific Region” is an outcome of proactive initiatives by the APAARI through the APCoAB program. The document highlights the potential contribution of gene editing in enhancing food security and provides an overview of the science behind the techniques. It emphasizes the need for policy harmonization, offering insights into existing and emerging policies while providing recommendations for enabling policies. It also presents more details on the status of gene edited plants under development and provides a rich source of reference materials and links to databases to facilitate a more comprehensive understanding of this technique.
News Source | Photo Credit: APAARI
Resurrection of Plant Breeding Innovation in the EU?
28 December 2023
The EU Proposal on certain New Genomic Techniques. WHY IT MATTERS
News Source | Photo Credit: Petra Jorasch | Seed World Europe
Genes From Wheat Improves Plant Growth of Sorghum
23 December 2023
Bioscientists from Joint BioEnergy Institute developed strains of sorghum that can grow tall, strong, and healthy with very little water.
News Source | Photo Credit: ISAAA
Australian OGTR Receives Application for Field Trial of GM Wheat and Barley
21 December 2023
The Australian Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR) has received a license application (DIR 201) from The University of Adelaide to conduct a field trial of genetically modified (GM) wheat and barley with yield enhancement.
News Source | Photo Credit: ISAAA
Market Watchers Project Bumper Harvests with GM Maize and Soybeans Approvals in China
20 December 2023
As China granted approvals for several varieties of GM maize and soybean, market experts expect a boost in yields, to impact the food market since both are staples and widely used as sources of edible oils and animal feed.
News Source | Photo Credit: ISAAA
Should we be concerned that gene-editing seeds will cascade into unpredictable changes?
19 December 2023
For tens of thousands of years, evolution shaped tomatoes through natural mutations.
News Source | Photo Credit: Anat Hendelman, David McCandlish, Luis Sandoval, Lyndsey Aguirre, Samuel Hutton, Zachary Lippman | Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory | Raana Roohanitaziani et. al.
Viewpoint: Nigeria may be running out of farmable land. Is there a biotech-based solution?
15 December 2023
Land scarcity and degradation is a huge issue in the West African region.
News Source | Photo Credit: Joel Nwankwo | Tech Economy
Viewpoint: GM crops already solving food insecurity — 37% less pesticides, 22% higher yields, and 68% greater earnings for farmers
12 December 2023
Global food shortages can be substantially cut if governments and international organisations apply extensive policy changes in favour of resource redistribution, poverty reduction, and food security.
News Source | Photo Credit: Ruhul Amin | Financial Express
Climate change means we need to get over fears about gene-editing plants
10 December 2023
Bayer CEO Bill Anderson argues that the climate crisis makes it imperative for countries to embrace gene editing in order to develop more resilient, adaptive crops.
News Source | Photo Credit: Fast Company & Inc | Peter Dazeley/Getty
Ag at a Climate Crossroads: COP28 and the Biostimulant Solution
07 December 2023
The 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28), a pivotal gathering dedicated to addressing climate change, is now in progress in Dubai, and gives the world an opportunity to assess the profound implications of climate change on crop production.
News Source | Photo Credit: James Maude | Seed World Europe
Cultivating Common Ground: Plants for the Future European Technology Platform
05 December 2023
In the ever-evolving landscape of agriculture, the flow of innovation from research to the market is crucial for sustainable and thriving agricultural systems. Enter Plants for the Future ETP (Plant ETP), a multi-stakeholder platform that stands at the forefront of promoting innovation in the plant sector.
News Source | Photo Credit: Valerija Volčič | Seed World Europe
Join Us on 18 Dec for the Asia-Pacific Conference on the Transformation of Higher Education in Agriculture – Register Today!
03 December 2023
Asia-Pacific Regional E-Commerce on Transforming Higher Education on 18 December at 2 PM Bangkok time. This conference, part of the Collective Action (CA) facilitated by the Global Forum on Agricultural Research and Innovation, focuses on the Transformative Learning of Higher Education Institutions launched this year.
News Source | Photo Credit: APAARI
Work in the UK on genetic technologies – Enabling genetic technologies for food security
01 December 2023
The Enabling genetic technologies for food security briefing (PDF) sets out recent developments in using the GM method for crop improvement.
News Source | Photo Credit: The Royal Society
Experts Reveal Success of CRISPR in Improving Fish
30 November 2023
CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing tool has solved several problems in the agriculture sector.
News Source | Photo Credit: ISAAA
Review Discusses Application of DNA Methylation in Poultry
29 November 2023
Chinese researchers reviewed the different studies and applications of DNA methylation in poultry animals. They also identified challenges and suggested solutions on how to improve research on poultry DNA methylation.
News Source | Photo Credit: ISAAA
Royal Society: Evidence-led GM Crop Regulation Could Help Tackle Global Food Security and Climate Change Risks
27 November 2023
A new policy briefing from the Royal Society says that the United Kingdom needs an evidence-led and proportionate regulatory approach for genetically modified (GM) crops to realize the technology’s benefits for agriculture, the environment, and human health.
News Source | Photo Credit: ISAAA
Nanotechnology in Crop Protection: Making Sense of Advancements in Formulation Technology
18 November 2023
Pesticides are crucial for maintaining high levels of fruit, vegetable, and cereal production. Without pesticides, crop yields would significantly decrease, with fruit production decreasing by 78%, vegetable production by 54%, and cereal production by 32%.
News Source | Photo Credit: AgriBusiness Global
GFAR Talks VIII: An agroecological transformation requires a paradigm shift in agricultural research
17 November 2023
Wed, Nov 22 1300-1400 CET Register here
News Source | Photo Credit: GFAR
Genetic Tools for Conservation and Health: What’s The Role of Gene Drives?
12 November 2023
The first webinar titled Genetic Tools For Conservation and Health: What’s The Role of Gene Drives? is scheduled on November 16, 2023, 2 PM GMT+8. The registration is now open to all interested participants.
News Source | Photo Credit: ISAAA
Elevate Your Business: Exhibit at AGRITECHNICA ASIA & HORTI ASIA 2024!
11 November 2023
The 8th international trade show for horticulture and floricultural production and processing technology
News Source | Photo Credit: HORTI ASIA
These 8 GMOs tell a brief history of genetic modification
05 November 2023
The first genetically modified organism was introduced 50 years ago
News Source | Photo Credit: Darren Incorvaia | SciecneNews
Webinar Series on Biotech Innovations for a Sustainable Agriculture
04 November 2023
ISAAA Inc., in partnership with the Department of Agriculture Biotechnology Program Office (DA-BPO), Biotechnology Coalition of the Philippines, Inc. (BCP), Bureau of Animal Industry, and Corteva Agriscience, will hold a webinar series on Biotech Innovations for A Sustainable Agriculture from November 8 to 10, 2023, at 8:45 AM (GMT+8).The registration is now open to all interested participants.
News Source | Photo Credit: ISAAA
The 7th “Asia Agri-Tech Expo & Forum” to Drive Agriculture, Aquaculture & Livestock Industries Upgrading
29 October 2023
The four exhibitions will bring together exhibitors from 15 countries to showcase the latest technologies, equipment, and materials for the agricultural, aquaculture, livestock, cold chain, and processing industries.
News Source | Photo Credit: Informa Markets
Smart and Innovative Technology: Livestock Taiwan Leads Sustainable Development of Livestock Industry
27 October 2023
Livestock Taiwan will take place from November 1st to 3rd, 2023, at Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center, Hall 1, 4th floor. Concurrently, the event will host the Asia Agri-tech Expo & Forum, Aquaculture Taiwan, and Cold Chain & Agri-food Tech.
News Source | Photo Credit: Informa Markets
Reflection of an expert on plant health
22 October 2023
An outlook on the future of variety inspection and testing in Europe
News Source | Photo Credit: Marcel Bruins
From Eradication to Mitigation
19 October 2023
Over the past few years, the Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus (ToBRFV) has been making headlines, forcing regulators in various countries to act.
News Source | Photo Credit: Marcel Bruins | Tomatoes with ToBRFV symptoms. Source: Euroseeds
How to Improve Seed Movement Around the World – Part 1
15 October 2023
A Deep Dive into the Multilateral Systems Approach
News Source | Photo Credit: Marcel Bruins | ISF
Virtual Roundtable session – Harnessing science innovations for a sustainable, equitable, and nourishing food system
13 October 2023
Registration: https://bit.ly/3rPOvlB, held at 2 PM (PERTH) on Thursday, October 19, 2023
Organizer: Murdoch University | Centre for Crop and Food Innovation | ACIAR | Crawford Fund | FARA | APAARI
Report Shows Positive Growth for the Agricultural Biotechnology Market
08 October 2023
A report published by Credence Research forecasts a 6.97% growth of the agricultural biotechnology market from 2023-2030.
News Source | Photo Credit: ISAAA
Regulation of genetically edited crops in Latin American and Caribbean countries
05 October 2023
In the complex landscape of gene editing regulations, the LAC region showcases diverse approaches in the regulation of genetically edited organisms.
News Source | Photo Credit: Luiza Favarato Santos
Event – Global Crop Diversity Summit 2023
30 September 2023
Empowering Seed Banks to Combat the Climate, Biodiversity and Food Crises
News Source | Photo Credit: Crop Trust
EU agri-food trade balance further improved in June
29 September 2023
After the EU agri-food trade rebounded in May, its surplus continued to improve in June as imports decreased and exports slightly increased, resulting in a 30% increase month-on-month.
News Source | Photo Credit: European Commission
Reimagining community seed banks for resilience and food sovereignty
22 September 2023
Reimagining community seed banks for resilience and food sovereignty
News Source | Photo Credit: NewsDay Zimbabwe
All You Need to Know on Gene Editing in One Booklet
21 September 2023
ISAAA releases another edition of its popular publication, Biotech sQuizBox. This addition to the series of accordion-type booklet focuses on gene editing. Biotech sQuizBox: All About Gene Editing is downloadable for free on the ISAAA website
News Source | Photo Credit: ISAAA
Study Highlights Impact of GE Crops in Global Agri Output
15 September 2023
In the absence of genetically engineered crops, the world would have needed 3.4 percent more cropland to achieve the global agricultural output in 2019. This finding is according to study published in the American Economic Review: Insights.
News Source | Photo Credit: ISAAA
Knowledge Center Biotech Updates August 2, 2023 Issue Bayer Biotech Corn Launched in Indonesia; To Boost Yield by 30%
14 September 2023
Bayer Crop Science launched the herbicide tolerant biotech corn Dekalb DK95R in Banggo Village, Manggalewa District, Dompu Regency, West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia on July 26, 2023.
News Source | Photo Credit: ISAAA
The search for the super potato
08 September 2023
Scientists have assembled the genome sequences of nearly 300 varieties of potatoes and its wild relatives to develop more nutritious, disease-free, and weather-proof crop.
News Source | Photo Credit: McGill Newsroom
Grasshoppers under siege: Here’s how climate change depletes insect populations and threatens the global food supply
06 September 2023
It’s tough out there for a hungry grasshopper on the Kansas prairie. Oh, there’s plenty of grass to eat, but this century’s grass isn’t what it used to be. It’s less nutritious, deficient in minerals like iron, potassium and calcium.
News Source | Photo Credit: Amber Dance | Julie de Graag via CC0-1.0
How gene editing can keep melons fresher for longer
31 August 2023
The gaseous plant hormone ethylene has been long known to promote fruit ripening and play a certain role in shelf-life.
News Source | Photo Credit: Hiroshi Ezura | University of Tsukuba
Countries from Global South urged to harmonize regulatory frameworks on biotechnology
30 August 2023
Global South countries have been told to harmonize their regulatory approaches for biotechnology and new breeding techniques.
News Source | Photo Credit: GODFREY OMBOGO | Alliance for Science
Gene-edited mustard: Less pungent, more useful
25 August 2023
Indian scientists have developed the first ever low-pungent mustard that is pest and disease-resistant. It is based on CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing, while being non-GM and transgene-free. Why does this hold significance for consumers and oilseed producers?
News Source | Photo Credit: Harish Damodaran | National Institute of Plant Genome Research (NIPGR). (Express photo)
8 crops endangered by climate change
23 August 2023
From staple crops like potatoes and maize, to cash crops for wealthier customers like cocoa and coffee, climate change is having a widespread impact on global agricultural production.
News Source | Photo Credit: Action Against Hunger
Researchers Find a Gene That Could Help Cotton Combat Bacterial Blight
18 August 2023
Researchers from the International Rice Research Institute and Oklahoma State University reported a gene (B5) that could provide cotton plants with broad-spectrum resistance to bacterial blight.
News Source | Photo Credit: ISAAA
First Field Test of Stacked HT Camelina Shows Positive Results
16 August 2023
The first field trial test of stacked herbicide tolerant (HT) Camelina revealed favorable findings, according to agricultural bioscience company Yield10 Bioscience, Inc.
News Source | Photo Credit: ISAAA
Seed germination variability: why do genetically identical seeds not germinate at the same time?
11 August 2023
For survival in the natural environment, plants have evolved a ‘bet-hedging’ strategy where individual variation is high and a range of phenotypes is produced.
News Source | Photo Credit: Eshan Sharma, Manoj Majee
Foods genetically edited using CRISPR technology are beginning to hit store shelves. How are they different from GMOs?
09 August 2023
Had it been coined intentionally for the purpose of marketing fresh produce, the acronym CRISPR would have been a stroke of advertising genius.
News Source | Photo Credit: Paolo Pontoniere | Shutterstock, Pairwise
CRISPR Alters Onion for the First Time
04 August 2023
Scientists from the Directorate of Onion and Garlic Research in India and Iowa State University are reporting for the first time about the successful application of CRISPR-Cas9 to alter an onion trait.
News Source | Photo Credit: Frontiers in Plant Science | ISAAA
As of 2019, 84 percent of all GMO crop acres were in just four western hemisphere countries (the United States, Brazil, Argentina and Canada).
News Source | Photo Credit: Robert Paarlberg | China Daily | Hippopx
Revealed: The five foods that are key to maintaining good gut health
02 August 2023
Fruits and vegetables contain prebiotics, which act as a food source for gut microbes and may boost overall health.
News Source | Photo Credit: Sara Novak | SDI Productions/Getty Images
Curry may have landed in Southeast Asia 2000 years ago
27 July 2023
Spices found on stone tools shed light on ancient global trade network
News Source | Photo Credit: PHIE JACOBS | SAIKO3P/ISTOCK
Could Gene Editing Create More Disease-Resistant Grape Varieties?
21 July 2023
Using gene-editing technologies like CRISPR, researchers are fighting back against one of the wine industry’s biggest problems—powdery mildew disease
News Source | Photo Credit: Danielle Beurteaux | iStock.
Genetically edited wood could make paper more sustainable
20 July 2023
CRISPR trees with less lignin could reduce energy and climate impacts of paper products
News Source | Photo Credit: ROBERT F. SERVICE | CHENMIN YANG
European Commission proposes loosening rules for gene-edited plants
13 July 2023
Bid to boost agricultural innovation faces skeptics in the European Parliament
News Source | Photo Credit: ERIK STOKSTAD | MICHAEL GOTTSCHALK/PHOTOTHEK VIA GETTY IMAGES
EU seeks to relax gene-edited crop restrictions
11 July 2023
EU executive sees proposal allowing more resilient crops
News Source | Photo Credit: Philip Blenkinsop | Reuters/Raquel Cunha/File Photo
First CRISPR-edited salad hits the U.S. market
07 July 2023
Scientists weigh in on the future of gene-edited foods.
News Source | Photo Credit: Heather Frank | WORLD NEWS GROUP
This ‘super banana’ was designed to save lives. Will it matter that it’s orange?
05 July 2023
Thousands of children die in Uganda every year from vitamin A deficiency. This groundbreaking—and vitamin-packed—genetically modified banana could change that.
News Source | Photo Credit: AGOSTINO PETRONI
Gene editing achieves consistently higher favorability in social and traditional media than GMOs
30 June 2023
While GMOs have been the subject of negative discourse over a long time period, it is possible that newer breeding technologies like gene editing are viewed more favorably.
News Source | Photo Credit: Mark Lynas, Selene Adams & Karen Stockert
Deadly mushroom poison might now have an antidote — with help from CRISPR
28 June 2023
Gene-editing technique might have finally cracked the mystery of how death cap mushrooms kill.
News Source | Photo Credit: Saima Sidik | nature
Seeds of stagnation in Bt cotton – Can newer variants impact productivity?
22 June 2023
Manufacturers said deferrals in introducing newer variants will seriously impact productivity.
News Source | Photo Credit: Sanjeeb Mukherjee | New Delhi
A guide through the genome of crops
20 June 2023
A research team led by the “Crop Yield” working group at the Institute for Molecular Physiology at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf (HHU) and the Carnegie Institution of Science at Stanford has now developed a method to identify precisely differences in genetic information related to traits relevant to breeding, such as plant height, yield and resistance to pests.
News Source | Photo Credit: The Global Plant Council
LET THERE BE DARK
16 June 2023
Crops grown without sunlight could help feed astronauts bound for Mars, and someday supplement dinner plates on Earth.
News Source | Photo Credit: ROBERT F. SERVICE | American Association for the Advancement of Science
Ag-Biotech Innovator GreenVenus Achieves Breakthrough in Non-Browning Avocado Through Gene Editing
14 June 2023
GreenVenus, LLC, a biotechnology company specializing in genetic engineering for sustainable agriculture, announces a groundbreaking achievement in avocado gene editing and plant regeneration.
News Source | Photo Credit: GreenVenus, LLC
Fact: Genetically modified crops safe for the environment, farmers and the consumers
08 June 2023
Nigeria and Kenya began to allow GE crops in 2018 and 2019 respectively, ending decades of restriction.
News Source | Photo Credit: ROBERT WAGER | Alliance for Science
Will cloning disease-resistant indigenous cows rescue the milk-producing market in India?
06 June 2023
All births are special, but Ganga’s was a milestone.
News Source | Photo Credit: Siddharth Tiwari, Times of India | USDA and ARS
Weird, Rare, and Everywhere
02 June 2023
In the bogs of Hecate Island, British Columbia, a writer and novice naturalist joins researchers for a glimpse of a multiyear biodiversity mission—and gets acquainted with some odd organisms.
News Source | Photo Credit: Arno Kopecky/Hakai Institute | Grant Callegari
EU’s next food fight: regulating gene-edited crops
29 May 2023
Extreme weather caused by climate change has damaged food production across Europe.
News Source | Photo Credit: FRANCE 24 | Brigitte HAGEMANN / AFP/File
Farmer Leads Japan Biotech Crop Network to Promote GM Crops
25 May 2023
For the first time, a farmer in Japan has founded a network that is focused on the cultivation of genetically modified (GM) crops in the country. Mr. Shuichi Tokumoto, an exemplary farmer, solely founded the Japan Biotech Crop Network (JBCN).
News Source | Photo Credit: JBCN
Australia’s first genetically modified banana sent for approval
22 May 2023
Cavendish banana made to resist fungus threatening variety worldwide is seen as safety net for growers if industry wiped out.
News Source | Photo Credit: The Guardian
A CRISPR-edited calf shows virus resistance
17 May 2023
A gene-edited calf shows resistance to a common bovine virus. Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) causes gastrointestinal and respiratory symptoms as well as reproductive failure in cattle around the world.
News Source | Photo Credit: Advancement of Science (AAAS) | MICHAEL HEATON
China approves safety of first gene-edited crop
11 May 2023
China has approved the safety of a gene-edited soybean, its first approval of the technology in a crop, as the country increasingly looks to science to boost food production.
News Source | Photo Credit: REUTERS/Stringer
Safeguarding crop diversity for future generations is shared global responsibility
09 May 2023
For safeguarding crop diversity for future generations, key actions to be taken to ensure that crop diversity collections of all types are able to fulfill their role to foster more diverse, equitable, resilient, and sustainable food systems globally
News Source | Photo Credit: Hannes Dempewolf, Sarada Krishnan, and Luigi Guarino
Biodiversity has been used and conserved by farming communities for millennia
05 May 2023
World depends on biodiversity more than we can imagine, so it’s fundamental that we produce food in a way that preserves natural resources and biodiversity ensuring people’s health and planetary wealth.
News Source | Photo Credit: FAO
GM mustard in India
03 May 2023
Could growing genetically modified mustard be the answer to oil shortages in India?
News Source | Photo Credit: BBC
FAO: Food Safety of Gene-Editing “Not Much Different” than Traditional Breeding Techniques
28 April 2023
FAO has released a report on food safety considerations for regulating foods derived from gene editing to help national authorities develop and implement policies and regulatory criteria for food products derived from gene editing.
News Source | Photo Credit: FAO
Non-Browning Gene-Edited Banana is Approved for Production in the Philippines
26 April 2023
Non-browning gene-edited banana cleared for production by the Philippines govt. that encourages industry to invest in innovative technologies to develop sustainable solutions for Filipino farmers.
News Source | Photo Credit: Tropic Biosciences Ltd
USDA Clears Danforth Center’s Genome Edited Teff
24 April 2023
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has concluded that teff (small grain native to Ethiopia) modified by genome editing to have a semi-dwarf stature is not subject to biotechnology regulation
News Source | Photo Credit: The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center
Field phenomics is useful for improvement in salt tolerance
21 April 2023
Novel sensing technologies are the most useful and important, providing access to key morphological and physiological traits of plant salt tolerance under field conditions.
News Source | Photo Credit: Yuncai Hu and Urs Schmidhalter
Africa can explore genetically engineered seeds to boost production, Agbiz
31 March 2023
With Africa currently struggling to meet its annual food needs, using genetically engineered (GE) or modified seeds should be an avenue to explore to boost production, says Agricultural Business Chamber (Agbiz) chief economist Wandile Sihlobo.
News Source | Photo Credit: Given Majola | Independent Online
With over 8 billion mouths to feed, it’s time to innovate
28 March 2023
Plant breeders across all seed sectors are getting innovative and creative by using every tool in their toolbox to feed the globe.
News Source | Photo Credit: Alex Martin | Seed World Media
How USDA Should Use Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing for Food and Agriculture Innovation
23 March 2023
To provide input to the federal government as USDA submits its report in March on how to use biotechnology and biomanufacturing for food and agriculture innovation, the Breakthrough Institute sent a letter to the Office of Science and Technology Policy on February 17th.
News Source | Photo Credit: The Breakthrough Institute
Historic treaty could open the way to protecting 30% of the oceans
21 March 2023
Agreement sets framework for creating marine reserves and sharing biodiversity profits
News Source | Photo Credit: Erik Stokstad | WATERFRAME/ALAMY
Ghana farmers to get GM cowpea seeds in 2024 after regulatory processes are approved
14 March 2023
Genetically modified (GM) cowpea seeds could be commercially available to Ghanaian farmers in 2024 following approval of the variety by the National Biosafety Authority in 2022.
News Source | Photo Credit: DENNIS BAFFOUR-AWUAH | Alliance for Science
Gene-editing tech could save Cavendish bananas from deadly fungus threatening extinction
16 March 2023
US-based Elo Life Systems, a biotech company targeting food sustainability, is tapping into gene-editing to save Cavendish bananas from a fungus that could potentially wipe out the species.
News Source | Photo Credit: FoodIngredientsFirst.com
Ghana farmers to get GM cowpea seeds in 2024 after regulatory processes are approved
14 March 2023
Genetically modified (GM) cowpea seeds could be commercially available to Ghanaian farmers in 2024 following approval of the variety by the National Biosafety Authority in 2022.
News Source | Photo Credit: DENNIS BAFFOUR-AWUAH | Alliance for Science
The Environmental Working Group wants to insure allied journalists like Sheila Kaplan that their new “dirty dozen” list is almost ready to be copied and pasted into articles promoting the organic industry.
News Source | Photo Credit: Hank Campbell | 02.2023 | Michael Coghlan/Flickr (CC BY-SA 2.0)
How biotechnology over-regulation harms farmers, boosts food costs and fuels inflation
09 March 2023
Recent months have been hellish for many American farmers and consumers who buy the food they produce.
News Source | Photo Credit: Henry Miller | 02.2023 | Advantus Media (CC BY-ND 4.0)
Research Article: Genetically modified (GM) late blight-resistant potato and consumer attitudes before and after a field visit
03 March 2023
Late blight, caused by Phytophthora infestans, is the most devastating disease in potato production.
News Source | Photo Credit: Jéssica Bubolza et al. | 10.2022
What foods in Canada are genetically modified?
23 February 2023
GM foods in Canada and the benefits thereof.
News Source | Photo Credit: CropLife Canada
Latin America: a biotech laboratory and world champion in GMOs and gene editing
21 February 2023
Since the commercial release of GMOs began in the mid-1990s, Latin America has been a key region in the industry.
News Source | Photo Credit: DANIEL NORERO | Alliance for Science
Agricultural biotechnology for sustainable food security
16 February 2023
Opinion: The COVID-19 pandemic and the geopolitical instability in Europe call for coordinated efforts from scientists, farmers, producers, and consumers to ensure food security. Recent progress in molecular biology and biotechnology creates hope for the future.
News Source | Photo Credit: Agata Tyczewska, Tomasz Twardowski and Ewa Woźniak-Gientka | Elsevier Inc.
Cryopreservation of potato shoot tips
14 February 2023
This didactive video explains the cryopreservation process that scientists at the CIP genebank developed and validated for the long-term conservation of potato germplasm
News Source | Photo Credit: CIP
Comment: Indigenous knowledge is key to sustainable food systems
10 February 2023
Agricultural sciences have for too long ignored traditional and local knowledge about crop plants and how best to grow them. That must change if the world is to ensure future food security.
News Source | Photo Credit: Alexandre Antonelli | Mads Nissen/Politiken/Panos Pictures
7 ways CRISPR is shaping the future of food
09 February 2023
The first CRISRP’d foods are already on consumers’ plates.
News Source | Photo Credit: Kristin Houser | Freethink Media Inc.
The Future of Food – CRISPR Crops That Capture Carbon
02 February 2023
Genetically engineered plants are sprouting up to restore the carbon cycle and prevent the further buildup of carbon dioxide.
News Source | Photo Credit: Jonathan D Grinstein | Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News
2022 Biotech Milestones in Review
31 January 2023
The last year captured numerous scientific and regulatory advances in the field of modern agricultural biotechnology.
News Source | Photo Credit: Zabrina J. Bugnosen | ISAAA
COP15 nature deal hailed as ‘major step’ for indigenous rights
19 January 2023
The COP15 biodiversity summit has agreed a new global deal to conserve 30% of the Earth’s land and seas – which includes a recognition of indigenous peoples’ rights to their land.
News Source | Photo Credit: Jack Graham | Dan Collyns, Thomson Reuters Foundation
Government interventions improving inland fisheries and aquaculture in India
17 January 2023
The Government of India has taken steps to intensify and diversify inland fisheries and aquaculture. As a result, inland fisheries and aquaculture contributed 74.59 per cent of the total fish production in 2021-22.
News Source | Photo Credit: Agriculture Post
‘Space seeds’: First rice seeds grown and harvested in orbit return to Earth
13 January 2023
The third batch of space science experiment samples, including the world’s first rice seedlings harvested in space, arrives with Shenzhou-14’s return capsule on December 4, 2022.
News Source | Photo Credit: Fan Anqi, Fan Wei (Global Times) | The Chinese Academy of Sciences
Investment into Research Must Double to Halt Climate and Food Crises by 2030
10 January 2023
CGIAR, the world’s largest agricultural research partnership seeks to increase funding to $2 billion annually to support global innovation in the pandemic recovery.
News Source | Photo Credit: CGIAR
International rice body to seek approval for Golden Rice use in India
06 January 2023
INDIA: International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), is hoping to send proposals for approval by Indian authorities once the large-scale feeding trials data is available from the Philippines.
News Source | Photo Credit: Niharika Saila, The New Indian Express
FAO Publication: Gene editing and agrifood systems
04 January 2023
Technologies represent a promising new tool for plant and animal breeding in low- and middle- income countries.
News Source | Photo Credit: FAO
Genetically modified maize MON 95379 was developed to confer insect protection
30 December 2022
The GMO Panel concludes that maize MON 95379 is as safe as its conventional counterpart and the tested non-GM maize varieties with respect to potential effects on human and animal health and the environment.
News Source | Photo Credit: EFSA Panel on Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) et al.
Spotlight: The World Vegetable Center
27 December 2022
WorldVeg maintains a large collection of vegetable seeds in the genebank; > 65,000 accessions of 300 important vegetable species, > 12,000 accessions of hardy traditional vegetables such as onions and shallots.
News Source | Photo Credit: The Crop Trust
Scientists are using genetically modified tobacco and lemon to develop naturally saffron-flavored rice – world’s most expensive spice
22 December 2022
Biotechnological approach can also be used on crops, such as rice, to develop crocin-rich functional food
News Source | Photo Credit: Ricki Lewis | Twitter
Food and nutrition: diversity on a plate
20 December 2022
Researchers are using the genetic diversity of seed samples conserved in genebanks of international research centres to develop improved climate resilient varieties.
News Source | Photo Credit: The Akzente Magazine by GIZ
Onslaught of droughts and war soften EU opposition to crop gene editing
15 December 2022
Due to drought and conflict, combined with high energy costs, have driven up food prices and caused shortages in the developing world, the mood on gene editing in Europe is shifting. In September, agriculture ministers from the 27 member states urged Brussels to speed up a re-examination of GMO regulation.
News Source | Photo Credit: Andy Bounds and Emiko Terazono, Financial Times | Future Learn
Philippines Approves borer-resistant Bt eggplant for commercial cultivation
13 December 2022
Socio-economic studies conducted in the Philippines estimated that the cultivation of Bt eggplant will incur lower production costs and ultimately lead to up to three-fold higher net farm incomes due to the combined effects of significantly reduced pesticide use and increased marketable fruit yields.
News Source | Photo Credit: ISAAA | College of Agriculture and Food Science, University of the Philippines Los Baños
Precision Breeding Bill will supercharge investment in UK crop innovation
08 December 2022
New legislation to be debated by MPs in Parliament could help unlock the UK’s global leadership in plant genetic research, and encourage innovation in agriculture to address the most pressing challenges of today – developing crops that are higher yielding, more nutritious, more resilient to climate change and less reliant on pesticides or fertilizers.
News Source | Photo Credit: NIAB
AI indicates over half of palm species at risk of extinction
06 December 2022
Palms are used for constructing buildings, making tools and utensils, and as a source of food, medicine and beauty products across the world; the loss of many palm species could thus have a strong socio-economic impact on the lives of several farming communities.
News Source | Photo Credit: Dr Sidonie Bellot and Paul Figg | Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Engineered duckweed could be a more sustainable source of biofuel
01 December 2022
Oil yields of duckweed are also seven times higher than those of soybeans. Unlike soybeans, however, crops of the duckweed wouldn’t take up farmland, as they’d be grown in large vessels or ponds.
News Source | Photo Credit: Ben Coxworth | Brookhaven National Laboratory
Farmer from Antique, Philippines, harvests Golden Rice for the first time
29 November 2022
The harvested rice seeds will be dried, certified, and then distributed to other farms in the province to expand Golden Rice production in the Philippines.
News Source | Photo Credit: ISAAA | Province of Antique
Australia Approves Commercial Release of GM Indian Mustard
24 November 2022
Commercial release of GM Indian mustard does not require specific risk treatment measures which is considered healthy and safety for consumption and environment.
News Source | Photo Credit: ISAAA
Disease-resistant GM cassava promises to be game-changer for Kenya
22 November 2022
Modern biotechnology is by far the best option to incorporate cassava brown streak disease (CBSD) resistance in cassava cultivars carrying farmer-preferred characteristics.
News Source | Photo Credit: Joseph Maina, Cornell Alliance for Science | MIT
Researchers in Japan Identify Genes to Help Crops Against Flooding
17 November 2022
Genome editing technology can be employed to create flood-tolerant rice plants.
News Source | Photo Credit: ISAAA
GMOs and gene editing: What’s the difference?
15 November 2022
Gene edited products need not to be treated essentially as a GM product.
News Source | Photo Credit: NICHOLAS KARAVOLIAS, Alliance for Science | Agroportal
Community seed bank initiative traces & restores heritage rice varieties in Tamil Nadu
10 November 2022
Community seed banking help to conserve rice landraces for sustainable yield of rice under threats of climate changes.
News Source | Photo Credit: PIB Delhi
Self-limiting ‘Friendly’ technology offers hope for controlling fall armyworm without pesticides
08 November 2022
Genetic engineering can be employed to introduce a gene that prevents offspring of the fall-army worm surviving into adulthood, thereby dramatically reducing the population.
News Source | Photo Credit: MARK LYNAS, Alliance for Science
Food crops made 20% more efficient at harnessing sunlight
03 November 2022
Scientists have made a breakthrough in a genetic approach that improves food crops to convert sunlight energy into food with better photosynthesis.
News Source | Photo Credit: Ella Hambly BBC News Climate and Science | Getty Images
Sequestering carbon on a gigaton scale: How gene editing can address climate change by reducing atmospheric emissions
01 November 2022
Biotechnological innovations can be employed for cutting emissions thereby reducing atmospheric carbon concentrations.
News Source | Photo Credit: Val Giddings | Keith Negley
The Future of Breadfruit in the Fight Against Food Insecurity
27 October 2022
Breadfruit is particularly well suited for low-latitude agricultural regions, where higher levels of food insecurity are predicted to rise in years to come.
News Source | Photo Credit: Shea Swenson | xuanhuongho, Shutterstock
Assam names biodiversity heritage site to conserve flood-resistant wild paddy variety
25 October 2022
Assam State Biodiversity Board (ASBB) of India declared, which recently declared the 0.40 hectare land inside the Borjuli tea estate as ‘Borjuli Wild Rice Biodiversity Heritage Site’ in North-eastern Himalayas.
News Source | Photo Credit: Sumir Karmakar, DHNS, Guwahati
Apple’s Natural Defense Against Virus Very Similar to GM Mechanism
20 October 2022
The mechanisms of the apple rubbery wood virus (ARWV) to modify lignin in the apple tree is very similar to how scientists have been altering lignin in genetically modified trees.
News Source | Photo Credit: ISAAA
Harnessing the power of saffron color for food and future therapeutics
18 October 2022
Multigene engineering strategy could be used to establish a sustainable plant cell factory for crocin production in tissue culture of different plant species using new identified enzyme.
News Source | Photo Credit: Xiongjie Zheng (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology) | Pixabay
New GM soya beans give 25% greater yield in global food security boost
11 October 2022
The scientists modified three genes that allowed the soya bean plant to become more responsive to lower light conditions that had an average improved yield of 25% across five large trials, with one trial showing a boost of 33%.
News Source | Photo Credit: The Guardian | Fred Scheiber/AFP/Getty Images
Introducing Genome-edited Foods to the Public – Lessons from Japan
06 October 2022
It is important for the government to strive to improve the research and development strategies for building the capacity of universities to develop and implement their own business plans along with regulatory process to evaluate biotech food products on a basis of balance science-based evaluation and addressing public concerns and opinions.
News Source | Photo Credit: Zabrina J. Bugnosen | Sanatech Seed.
The role of technology in India’s nutritional security
04 October 2022
The success of genetic modification technologies lies in the formulation of supporting public policy and transparency of data obtained during safety studies and field trials as innovation can only thrive when a conducive environment is created.
News Source | Photo Credit: Shambhavi Naik | DHdeccanherald, The Printers (Mysore) Private Ltd.
Synthetic Genes Found to Modify Root Structures and Increase Plant Resiliency
16 September 2022
Using synthetic genes, researchers at Stanford University have been able to modify the root structures of plants which could make crops more efficient at gathering nutrients and water, and more resilient to increasing pressures from climate change.
News Source | Photo Credit: ISAAA
Gene-edited rice can naturally fix nitrogen in the soil, vastly reducing the need for chemical fertilizers
13 September 2022
With new genetically modified grain crops, a sustainable alternative can be created by adopting a new way of producing grain, without the large amounts of fertilizer that are normally involved in cultivation.
News Source | Photo Credit: Jeanette Kras | Scientias | Open University via Britannica
Global Strategy for the Conservation and Use of Eggplants
08 September 2022
The Crop Trust initiated the development of a global conservation strategy for eggplants to overview the current status and identify issues of concern.
News Source | Photo Credit: THE CROP TRUST
Novel Protein Vpb4Da2 Against Western Corn Rootworm Passes Food and Feed Safety Assessment
06 September 2022
The development of genetically modified (GM) crops expressing one or more proteins that confer tolerance to Western Corn Rootworm, was a historic breakthrough in agricultural biotechnology and continues to serve as an invaluable tool in pest management.
News Source | Photo Credit: ISAAA | PLOS ONE
Researchers Improve Pre-harvest Sprouting Resistance in Rice Using CRISPR-Cas9
01 September 2022
Pre-harvest sprouting can be checked by strengthening seed dormancy using gene editing technology.
News Source | Photo Credit: ISAAA | Research Square
Better seeds and biotechnology can boost Africa’s crop productivity
30 August 2022
Modern biotechnology offers a great potential to enhance agricultural productivity, food security and nutritional security and livelihoods of smallholder farmers in Africa.
News Source | Photo Credit: JOSEPH MAINA | Alliance for Science
An increasing number of countries regulate genome editing in crops
25 August 2022
It is an encouraging situation that over the past 2 years, many more countries have introduced guidelines that enable use of such edited lines in agriculture in a similar way as conventionally bred lines, provided they do not contain a transgene.
News Source | Photo Credit: Marcel Buchholzer, Wolf B. Frommer | John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Functional diversity of farmland bees across rural–urban landscapes in a tropical megacity
23 August 2022
Urban agriculture can maintain functionally diverse bee communities and, if managed in a sustainable manner, be used to develop win–win solutions for biodiversity conservation of pollinators and food security in and around cities.
News Source | Photo Credit: Gabriel Marcacci, Ingo Grass, Vikas S. Rao, Shabarish Kumar S, K. B. Tharini, Vasuki V. Belavadi, Nils Nölke, Teja Tscharntke, Catrin Westphal
Genetic Resources are a Key to Our Future
19 August 2022
Genetic resources serve as the starting point for developing improved varieties through conventional and modern plant breeding techniques.
News Source | Photo Credit: International Seed Federation
Cryopreservation and the Future of Plant Conservation
17 August 2022
Cryopreservation for long-term conservation of vegetatively propagated and recalcitrant seed species is best alternate method.
News Source | Photo Credit: Crop Trust
Catalyzing Commercialization: Gene Editing Promises New Disease-Resistant Citrus Trees
11 August 2022
Genome editing to create new disease resistance citrus varieties, requiring low pesticides
News Source | Photo Credit: American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE)
Do only private companies conduct research on GMOs?
09 August 2022
Public institutions are also developing groundbreaking biotech innovations to mitigate food security and climate change.
News Source | Photo Credit: CropLife International
FAO Council endorses new 10-year strategies on Climate Change and on Science and Innovation
04 August 2022
“Adoption of biotechnology with enabling policies included in 10-year strategies of FAO Council to mitigate climate challenges.”, commented by Dr. Rishi, Coordinator of APAARI
News Source | Photo Credit: FAO
Opportunities for Orphan Crops: Expected Economic Benefits From Biotechnology
02 August 2022
Conducive enabling environment and increased support for adoption of biotechnology
News Source | Photo Credit: Patricia Zambrano, Ulrike Wood-Sichra, Remidius D. Ruhinduka, Dayo Phillip, Alejandro Nin Pratt, John Komen, Enoch Mutebi Kikulwe, José Falck Zepeda, Fred M. Dzanku and Judith A. Chambers
This CRISPR pioneer wants to capture more carbon with crops
28 July 2022
New research at Jennifer Doudna’s institute aims to create faster-growing, carbon-hungry plants using the gene-editing tool.
News Source | Photo Credit: Casey Crownhart | Innovative Genomics Institute
Global biodiversity deal to halt nature loss stalls in Nairobi
26 July 2022
Global biodiversity deal to halt nature loss stalls in Nairobi
News Source | Photo Credit: Duncan Miriri and Gloria Dickie | Thomson Reuters Products
How genetic engineering is creating more nutritious, healthier food and protecting crops from ravaging diseases
21 July 2022
How genetic engineering is creating more nutritious, healthier food and protecting crops from ravaging diseases
News Source | Photo Credit: Steven Cerier | GENETIC LITERACY PROJECT
A hybrid inorganic–biological artificial photosynthesis system for energy-efficient food production
19 July 2022
Research Article: A hybrid inorganic–biological artificial photosynthesis system for energy-efficient food production
News Source | Photo Credit: Elizabeth C. Hann, Sean Overa, Marcus Harland-Dunaway, Andrés F. Narvaez, Dang N. Le, Martha L. Orozco-Cárdenas, Feng Jiao & Robert E. Jinkerson
Support for National Genebanks Underway
14 July 2022
News: Support for National Genebanks Underway
News Source | Photo Credit: Crop Trust | Nelissa Jamora
US intelligence report predicts greater global role for biotechnology
12 July 2022
US intelligence report predicts greater global role for biotechnology
News Source | Photo Credit: Joseph Opoku Gakpo | Alliance for Science
Kenyan Gov’t Gives Nod to Use of Bt Cottonseed Cake for Animal Feeds
07 July 2022
Kenyan Gov’t Gives Nod to Use of Bt Cottonseed Cake for Animal Feeds
News Source | Photo Credit: ISAAA
CBD Technical Series No. 100 SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY
05 July 2022
Publication: CBD Technical Series No. 100 SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY
News Source | Photo Credit: Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity, UN Biodiversity
Ease regulatory burden to support ‘new revolution’ in crop breeding, researchers urge
30 June 2022
Ease regulatory burden to support ‘new revolution’ in crop breeding, researchers urge
News Source | Photo Credit: Joan Conrow | Alliance for Science
Genetic Variation and Unintended Risk in the Context of Old and New Breeding Techniques
28 June 2022
Genetic Variation and Unintended Risk in the Context of Old and New Breeding Techniques
News Source | Photo Credit: Stacy D. Singer, John D. Laurie, Andriy Bilichak, Santosh Kumar & Jaswinder Singh
Britain is paving the way for gene-edited food – will the public stomach it?
23 June 2022
Britain is paving the way for gene-edited food – will the public stomach it?
News Source | Photo Credit: CGIAR
Improving fruit and vegetable consumption will require a holistic approach
21 June 2022
Improving fruit and vegetable consumption will require a holistic approach
News Source | Photo Credit: CGIAR
Where GMO crops are grown around the world?
16 June 2022
See an infographic from ISAAA provides some top highlights. (2019)
News Source | Photo Credit: ISAAA
Our seeds could start the next Green Revolution
14 June 2022
Our seeds could start the next Green Revolution
News Source | Photo Credit: JOHN AGABA | Alliance for Science
Food security: Why is biodiversity important?
09 June 2022
Food security: Why is biodiversity important?
News Source | Photo Credit: Sunderland, T.C.H.
Our seeds could start the next Green Revolution
07 June 2022
Our seeds could start the next Green Revolution
News Source | Photo Credit: ICARDA Communication Team
New Zealand Farmer on the GMO Moratorium’s Impact on Sustainable Food and Agriculture, and Hopes CRISPR Crops Won’t Face the Same Fate.
News Source | Photo Credit: GLP | Global Farmer Network
Golden Rice rolling out in 7 provinces
31 May 2022
Golden Rice rolling out in 7 provinces
News Source | Photo Credit: Jordeene B. Lagare on Philippine Daily Inquirer | IRRI
DAWN OF A NEW ERA
26 May 2022
“With new regulations governing genome edited field trials in England coming into effect – mean that genome edited field trials will now no longer have to be run under GM regulations.”, commented by Dr. Rishi, Coordinator of APAARI
News Source | Photo Credit: Rothamsted Research
Egypt considers planting genetically-modified seeds due to high prices of grain: Lawmaker
24 May 2022
Egypt considers planting genetically-modified seeds due to high prices of grain: Lawmaker
News Source | Photo Credit: Samar Samir | peakpx
Gene-edited cows just secured record-fast FDA approval – here’s why
19 May 2022
Gene-edited cows just secured record-fast FDA approval – here’s why
News Source | Photo Credit: JENNA GALLEGOS | Alliance for Science
Latest Developments in Genome Editing Regulation
17 May 2022
Latest Developments in Genome Editing Regulation
News Source | Photo Credit: Kristine Grace N. Tome | ISAAA
The BOLD Project
12 May 2022
Biodiversity for Opportunities, Livelihoods and Development is a groundbreaking 10-year project to combat climate change.
News Source | Photo Credit: The Crop Trust
Enlisting wild grass genes to combat nitrification in wheat farming: A nature-based solution
10 May 2022
Research article: Enlisting wild grass genes to combat nitrification in wheat farming: A nature-based solution
News Source | Photo Credit: Guntur V. Subbarao et al. (2021)
Tropical forests have big climate benefits beyond carbon storage
05 May 2022
“World’s tropical forests collectively cool the surface of the planet by around 1 °C. 2/3 their cooling power comes from their ability to suck in CO2 and store it; 1/3 comes by their ability to create clouds, humidify the air and release cooling chemicals.”, commented by Dr. Rishi, Coordinator of APAARI.
News Source | Photo Credit: Freda Kreier | Thomas Marent/Minden Pictures
The World’s First Genetically Engineered Wheat Is Here
03 May 2022
Argentina approved the world’s first genetically engineered wheat for cultivation and consumption. Production expanded dramatically in 2021.
News Source | Photo Credit: The Breakthrough Institute
‘Biodiversity goals impossible without indigenous peoples’
28 April 2022
‘Biodiversity goals impossible without indigenous peoples’
News Source | Photo Credit: Michelle Langrand
Exemption of the genome edited plants falling under categories of SDN1 and SDN2 from the provisions the Rules, 1989
26 April 2022
“Government of India issued an Office Memorandum for ‘Exemption of the genome edited plants falling under categories of SDN1 and SDN2 from the provisions the Rules, 1989’ i.e., not to be considered as GM plants. Good news not only for India but for whole Asia Pacific.”, commented by Dr. Rishi, Coordinator of APAARI
News Source | Photo Credit: Department of Biotechnology India
Future Seeds: A Ground-Breaking Genebank to Help Climate-Proof Food Systems
21 April 2022
Future Seeds: A Ground-Breaking Genebank to Help Climate-Proof Food Systems
News Source | Photo Credit: CGIAR
Infographic – Gene editing FAQ
19 April 2022
Infographic – Gene editing FAQ
News Source | Photo Credit: Cornell Alliance for Science | Columbia
Philippine Government Updates Biotech Regulations to Speed Up Approvals
14 April 2022
Philippine Government Updates Biotech Regulations to Speed Up Approvals
News Source | Photo Credit: ISAAA
The diversity of tropical tubers
12 April 2022
“Have a look at the diversity of tropical tubers conserved by Mr Regi Joseph, a Kerala farmer conservator and 2020 plant genome savior awardee. He is providing 150 accessions of tuberous crops to the in vitro genebank of @INbpgr”, ICAR-NBPGR
News Source | Photo Credit: ICAR-NBPGR
Best Practices in Gender and biodiversity
07 April 2022
Pathways for Multiple Benefits
News Source | Photo Credit: UN
New Zealand scientist challenges ‘scaremongering’ about herbicide glyphosate
05 April 2022
New Zealand scientist challenges ‘scaremongering’ about herbicide glyphosate
News Source | Photo Credit: Jacqueline Rowarth | New Zealand Institute of Agricultural & Horticultural Science | Global Justice Now
Gene-edited wheat resists dreaded fungus without pesticides
31 March 2022
”New strain survives powdery mildew, a costly disease, without side effects.”, ERIK STOKSTAD
News Source | Photo Credit: ERIK STOKSTAD | AAAS
South Africa should rethink regulations on genetically modified plants
29 March 2022
South Africa should rethink regulations on genetically modified plants
News Source | Photo Credit: The Conversation | Shutterstock
@GlobalSeedVault places new seeds into the Vault today
23 March 2022
“Within the @GlobalSeedVault lies the work and passion of farmers worldwide who have protected their seeds for many years and decades and are now safeguarding them here to ensure #foodsecurity for future generations. It was an honor to place new seeds into the Vault today.”, The Crop Trust
News Source | Photo Credit: The Crop Trust
Linseed oil has extraordinary health benefits and well-established industrial uses
22 March 2022
“How do we identify the best line for a specific purpose? ICAR-NBPGR researchers characterize the entire #genebank collection in one go!”, ICAR-NBPGR
News Source | Photo Credit: ICAR-NBPGR
Massive production of ‘Golden Rice’ seeds to start this year
21 March 2022
To utilize & promote biotechnology in the country, the Department of Agriculture (DA) on Wednesday said this year marks the start of massive production of Golden Rice seeds, particularly in the vitamin A-deficient provinces – DA Secretary, The Philippines
News Source | Photo Credit: Christine Cudis | IRRI
What does GMO mean?
15 March 2022
“As the term “bioengineered” becomes more common in the #UnitedStates thanks to the labeling law, let’s talk about some of the terms used for genetically modified organisms.”, GMOAnswers
News Source | Photo Credit: GMOAnswers
A CRISPR way for accelerating improvement of food crops
10 March 2022
“CRISPR technology will accelerate the breeding of food crops beyond what was imaginable before its development. Excellent review on CRISPR technology.”, commented by Dr. Rishi, Coordinator of APAARI
News Source | Photo Credit: Yi Zhang, Mathias Pribil, Michael Palmgren & Caixia Gao | nature
China to allow gene-edited crops in push for food security
08 March 2022
“Great development to embrace modern plant breeding techniques.”, commented by Dr. Rishi, Coordinator of APAARI
News Source | Photo Credit: Dominique Patton | A farmer plants seeds in a corn field at a farm in Gaocheng, Hebei province, China, September 30, 2015. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon
World’s first CRISPR-edited sugarcane developed in Brazil
03 March 2022
World’s first CRISPR-edited sugarcane developed in Brazil
News Source | Photo Credit: Daniel Azevedo| Embrapa
Myths and misleading claims about fertilizers and pesticides lead to GMO fear mongering
01 March 2022
Myths and misleading claims about fertilizers and pesticides lead to GMO fear mongering
News Source | Photo Credit: VICTOR M. SHORROCKS | Alliance for Science
On agrobiodiversity, the Andes can teach the world much about crop conservation
25 February 2022
On agrobiodiversity, the Andes can teach the world much about crop conservation (commentary)
News Source | Photo Credit: Barbara Wells | Mongabay
2nd International Agrobiodiversity Congress
24 February 2022
2nd International Agrobiodiversity Congress – details
News Source | Photo Credit: GRSV Consulting Services
Smarter Farm Subsidies Can Drive Ecosystem Restoration
17 February 2022
“Supporting low-carbon versions of farming can provide sustainable returns for decades. Find out how shifting farm subsidies can drive land restoration in a report: https://www.wri.org/insights/how-farm-subsidies-combat-land-degradation.”, Global Environment Facility (GEF)
News Source | Photo Credit: Helen Ding, Will Anderson and René Zamora-Cristales | Peter Irungu/WRI
Genetic editing in livestock faces strong headwinds
15 February 2022
“Regulations on gene editing of animals are contributing to negative public perceptions of the technology and stifling innovation in the livestock sector”, according to Alison Van Eenennaam
News Source | Photo Credit: Matt McIntosh’s article on Farmtario | Alison Van Eenennaam
Should genetically modified organisms be part of our conservation efforts?
10 February 2022
Should genetically modified organisms be part of our conservation efforts?
News Source | Photo Credit: FERN WICKSON | Alliance For Science
Egyptian Scientists Develop Drought-Tolerant Tomatoes
08 February 2022
Egyptian Scientists Develop Drought-Tolerant Tomatoes
News Source | Photo Credit: ISAAA
Gene editing legislation to focus on crops – UK minister
03 February 2022
Gene editing legislation to focus on crops – UK minister
News Source | Photo Credit: Nigel Hunt | REUTERS
Nutritionally charged lettuce developed with CRISPR/Cas gene editing tech
01 February 2022
“A scientist in Israel is ‘tricking’ lettuce into producing nutrients in higher quantities thanks to gene editing technology CRISPR/Cas.”, FoodNavigator hears how.
News Source | Photo Credit: Flora Southey | Getty
Opinion: Greener and more sustainable food systems should be at the centre of climate action
27 January 2022
Opinion: Greener and more sustainable food systems should be at the centre of climate action
News Source | Photo Credit: Ban Ki-moon | ‘If we really want to tackle the climate crisis, we must consider whole food systems’ (AFP/Getty)
ORIGINAL RESEARCH article: De novo Whole-Genome Assembly of Moringa oleifera Helps Identify Genes Regulating Drought Stress Tolerance
25 January 2022
De novo Whole-Genome Assembly of Moringa oleifera Helps Identify Genes Regulating Drought Stress Tolerance
News Source | Photo Credit: P Sushree Shyamli, Seema Pradhan, Mitrabinda Panda and Ajay Parida
Foods made from gene-edited wheat may contain lower levels of potentially carcinogenic chemical acrylamide
20 January 2022
Foods made from gene-edited wheat may contain lower levels of potentially carcinogenic chemical acrylamide
News Source | Photo Credit: Robert Arnason | Western Producer | 123rf
The State of the World’s Biodiversity for Food and Agriculture
18 January 2022
The State of the World’s Biodiversity for Food and Agriculture
News Source | Photo Credit: FAO
Ghana resumes approval process for insect-resistant cowpea, its first GMO crop
13 January 2022
Ghana resumes approval process for insect-resistant cowpea, its first GMO crop
News Source | Photo Credit: JOSEPH OPOKU GAKPO | Alliance for Science
A COVID vaccine grown in plants measures up
11 January 2022
A COVID vaccine grown in plants measures up
News Source | Photo Credit: Steve Russell/Toronto Star via Getty Images
Black rice cultivation brings hope to Assam’s tribal farmers
06 January 2022
Black rice cultivation brings hope to Assam’s tribal farmers
News Source | Photo Credit: Kangkan Kalita | The Times of India
Crop Wild Relatives: Pre-breeding
04 January 2022
“What does #prebreeding mean? It’s a bridge between #genebanks and breeders. The best traits of different crop varieties are combined and introduced back into our cultivated crops.”, The Crop Trust
News Source | Photo Credit: The Crop Trust
A Meta-Analysis of the Impacts of Genetically Modified Crops
30 December 2021
A Meta-Analysis of the Impacts of Genetically Modified Crops
News Source | Photo Credit: Wilhelm Klümper and Matin Qaim
Viewpoint: Will China Make Its Peace With GMOs?
28 December 2021
Viewpoint: Will China Make Its Peace With GMOs?
News Source | Photo Credit: Adam Minter | Brent Stirton/Getty
Removing the major allergen Bra j I from brown mustard (Brassica juncea) by CRISPR/Cas9
24 December 2021
“CRISPER/Cas9 can help to make food still safer than its natural form by removing allergenic determinants, e. g. allergen-free Bra j I from brown mustard (Brassica juncea)”, commented by Dr. Rishi, Coordinator of APAARI
News Source | Photo Credit: Juvenal Assou, Dingbo Zhang, Kristian D. R. Roth, Stephan Steinke, Michael Hust, Thomas Reinard, Traud Winkelmann, Jens Boch
Harnessing Crop Wild Diversity for Climate Change Adaptation
21 December 2021
“Genomic prediction, machine learning, and multi-trait gene editing, all offer innovative alternatives to speed up more accurate pre- and breeding efforts toward the increase in crop adaptability and yield.”, commented by Dr. Rishi, Coordinator of APAARI
News Source | Photo Credit: Andrés J. Cortés and Felipe López-Hernández
GMO bean benefits Brazil’s consumers and smallholder farmers
16 December 2021
GMO bean benefits Brazil’s consumers and smallholder farmers
News Source | Photo Credit: Luis Ventura, Cornell Alliance for Science | Cultivatr
Do you know where GMO crops are grown?
14 December 2021
Do you know where GMO crops are grown?
News Source | Photo Credit: ISAAA
Viewpoint – Animal genetic selection will likely be embraced by public – but gene editing could face resistance from activist GMO opponents
09 December 2021
Viewpoint – Animal genetic selection will likely be embraced by public – but gene editing could face resistance from activist GMO opponents
News Source | Photo Credit: Alison Van Eenennaam | Pew Research and GloFish
The answer to the biodiversity crisis is not more debt
07 December 2021
The answer to the biodiversity crisis is not more debt
News Source | Photo Credit: EDITORIAL, nature
Global manifesto on forgotten foods
30 November 2021
Global manifesto on forgotten foods
News Source | Photo Credit: CGIAR
Waive CRISPR patents to meet food needs in low-income countries
26 November 2021
Waiver of CRISPR patents coupled with enabling policies gene editing can be proven as game changer for contributing significantly towards food security in developing countries and LDCs.
News Source | Photo Credit: John van der Oost & Louise O. Fresco | nature
New rules will make UK gene-edited crop research easier
23 November 2021
“Good news – United Kingdom plans to ease requirements for field research on gene-edited crops. EU policies on gene editing needs to be reviewed urgently to reduce the unfounded fear on account of biosafety among public.”, commented by Dr. Rishi, Coordinator of APAARI
News Source | Photo Credit: Heidi Ledford | Fred Scheiber/AFP/Getty
How scientists beat back anti-biotechnology activists’ ‘insidious campaign’ to block Nigeria’s approval of pest-resistant GMO cowpea
19 November 2021
“In Nigeria, GM cowpea was helped by enabling policies and also grass-roots science movement led by the @OFABnigeria, a team of scientists and regulators met the anti-GM campaigners with a robust counter-offensive to succeed.”, commented by Dr. Rishi, Coordinator of APAARI
News Source | Photo Credit: Elizabeth Finkel | Gary Kazanjian/AP
UN Food Systems Summit: Biotechnology key to meeting zero hunger goals
16 November 2021
UN Food Systems Summit: Biotechnology key to meeting zero hunger goals
News Source | Photo Credit: Joseph Opoku Gakpo | Alliance for Science
The effect of persuasive/possessing information regarding GMOs on consumer attitudes
12 November 2021
The effect of persuasive/possessing information regarding GMOs on consumer attitudes
News Source | Photo Credit: John Stanton, Golnaz Rezai, Stephen Baglione
Why Are Diets and Biodiversity Linked?
09 November 2021
Why Are Diets and Biodiversity Linked?
News Source | Photo Credit: foodtank
Kenya opens the door to GMO cultivation
05 November 2021
“African countries are embracing all innovations and technologies to make the continent food-secure. It is not understandable why Asian countries are shying away to adopt these technologies when food insecurity issue is almost similar!”, commented by Dr. Rishi, Coordinator of APAARI
News Source | Photo Credit: Steven Cerier | ICRISAT
Efficient Targeted Mutagenesis in Apple and First Time Edition of Pear Using the CRISPR-Cas9 System
02 November 2021
Efficient Targeted Mutagenesis in Apple and First Time Edition of Pear Using the CRISPR-Cas9 System
News Source | Photo Credit: Aurélie Charrier, Emilie Vergne, Nicolas Dousset, Andréa Richer, Aurélien Petiteau and Elisabeth Chevreau
Seed biodiversity: The life insurance of our food production
25 October 2021
Seed biodiversity: The life insurance of our food production
News Source | Photo Credit: FAO
From Tree to Fork – Adansonia digitata L. Baobab fruit
21 October 2021
From Tree to Fork – Adansonia digitata L. Baobab fruit
News Source | Photo Credit: CIFOR, CGIAR
New study: GMO crops reduce pesticide use, greenhouse gas emissions
19 October 2021
New study: GMO crops reduce pesticide use, greenhouse gas emissions
News Source | Photo Credit: Joan Conrow | Alliance for Science
Millet consumption survey provides largest baseline for India
15 October 2021
Millet consumption survey provides largest baseline for India
News Source | Photo Credit: GLDC, CGIAR
Top 5 GMO crops grown around the world
13 October 2021
Top 5 GMO crops grown around the world
News Source | Photo Credit: ISAAA
State of knowledge of soil biodiversity – Status, challenges and potentialities – Report 2020
08 October 2021
State of knowledge of soil biodiversity – Status, challenges and potentialities – Report 2020
News Source | Photo Credit: FAO
Our World in Data Says Only ~10% of Global Food Crops Depend on Pollinators
01 October 2021
Our World in Data Says Only ~10% of Global Food Crops Depend on Pollinators
News Source | Photo Credit: ISAAA
Genome editing poised to secure global food supply, study finds
29 September 2021
Genome editing poised to secure global food supply, study finds
News Source | Photo Credit: Joan Conrow | Cornell Alliance for Science | 123rf
First global index of pollinator population changes: Habitat loss and land management are primary drivers, with pesticides last
24 September 2021
First global index of pollinator population changes: Habitat loss and land management are primary drivers, with pesticides last
News Source | Photo Credit: Fred Lewsey | University of Cambridge | National Park Service
NTUsg scientists invent ‘greener’ way to make fertiliser compound
21 September 2021
NTUsg scientists invent ‘greener’ way to make fertiliser compound
News Source | Photo Credit: NTU Singapore
What can food companies learn about sustainability from Indigenous Peoples’ food systems?
16 September 2021
What can food companies learn about sustainability from Indigenous Peoples’ food systems?
News Source | Photo Credit: Oliver Morrison | Getty/RyersonClarke
What to call seafood made from fish cells?
14 September 2021
What to call seafood made from fish cells?
News Source | Photo Credit: Rutgers University
Online Workshop on Artemia Aquaculture
09 September 2021
FAO; ARC, University of Ghent; NACA; AAC, China will convene an online Workshop on Artemia Aquaculture, which will be held on 22 September via Zoom (13:00 UTC). For details and registration: https://aquaculture2020.org/artemia/
News Source | Photo Credit: FAO
Climate beneficial food’: Here’s the skinny on the emerging movement to better align agriculture with sustainable production
07 September 2021
Climate beneficial food’: Here’s the skinny on the emerging movement to better align agriculture with sustainable production
News Source | Photo Credit: Chiara Cecchini/World Economic Forum | Irena Macri
Millet consumption survey provides largest baseline for India
02 September 2021
“An indication of how social media influences our dietary choices: A 7-city survey on millet consumption in India shows that >50% respondents listed #socialmedia as the source of awareness for consuming millets.”, ICRISAT
News Source | Photo Credit: ICRISAT
UK Report Compares EU Approaches on Food Safety Regulation of Novel Foods and GMOs with Other Countries
31 August 2021
UK Report Compares EU Approaches on Food Safety Regulation of Novel Foods and GMOs with Other Countries
News Source | Photo Credit: ISAAA
“Government of India has relaxed the rules for import of crushed and de-oiled GM soya cake (Non-living organism only). This is going to benefit the farmers, poultry farmers and fishermen in a big way.”, commented by Dr. Rishi, Coordinator of APAARI
News Source | Photo Credit: Press Information Bureau, Government of India
Time to Act: Natural Disasters Underscore Climate Emergency
24 August 2021
Against the crises of #climatechange and #biodiversity loss, much more needs to be done to safeguard plant diversity. Our future #FoodSecurity depends on commitments we make today, writes our Executive Director.”, The Crop Trust
News Source | Photo Credit: The Crop Trust
ICRISAT’s Medium-Term Plan 2021-23 all set to operationalize the Strategic Plan
19 August 2021
“We continue to strive harder than before in our effort to empower our most important stakeholders: the #smallholder farmers of the #drylands. Our Medium Term Plan (2021-23) outlines the steps of this journey forward.”, ICRISAT
News Source | Photo Credit: ICRISAT
Farmers’ Rights and Digital Sequence Information: Crisis or Opportunity to Reclaim Stewardship Over Agrobiodiversity?
17 August 2021
POLICY AND PRACTICE REVIEWS article
News Source | Photo Credit: Rachel Wynberg, Regine Andersen, Sarah Laird, Kudzai Kusena, Christian Prip and Ola Tveitereid Westengen
“Genebanks contain not only lots of different #quinoa and #kale samples but the next quinoas and kales.”, The Crop Trust
13 August 2021
“Genebanks contain not only lots of different #quinoa and #kale samples but the next quinoas and kales—the ones that will help diversify our food portfolio, the crops that thrive when others fail. It means we all depend on genebanks, whether we realize it or not.”, The Crop Trust
News Source | Photo Credit: The Crop Trust
Drought tolerant, disease resistant GMO corn that produces 3 times the yield of conventional or organic? It’s a reality in a Nigerian trial
News Source | Photo Credit: African Agricultural Technology Foundation | FarmGate Africa
Clashing visions of Mexico’s GMO corn ban cloud impact
06 August 2021
Mexican government is confused whether to permit or prohibit the GM maize
News Source | Photo Credit: David Alire Garcia | REUTERS
How (GM) technology can support regenerative agriculture?
04 August 2021
How (GM) technology can support regenerative agriculture?
News Source | Photo Credit: RealAgriculture
When a Crop Goes Back to the Wild: Feralization
02 August 2021
When a Crop Goes Back to the Wild: Feralization
News Source | Photo Credit: Federico Scossa and Alisdair R. Fernie
“Global Status of Commercialized Biotech/GM Crops:2019”, ISAAA
26 July 2021
“Global Status of Commercialized Biotech/GM Crops:2019”, ISAAA
News Source | Photo Credit: ISAAA
The “slow magic” of agricultural research must accelerate
21 July 2021
The “slow magic” of agricultural research must accelerate
News Source | Photo Credit: Dr RS Paroda; Rita Sharma | Photo courtesy of Dr Paroda report
“Use of #CWR in crop improvement is imperative to develop climate resilient and stress resistant varieties. About 60% genes of plants (sporophyte) are expressed in pollen (gametophyte), therefore, availability of adequately viable pollen for pre-breeding is imperative.”, commented by Dr. Rishi, Coordinator of APAARI
News Source | Photo Credit: Cryoletters
The “slow magic” of agricultural research must accelerate
21 July 2021
The “slow magic” of agricultural research must accelerate
News Source | Photo Credit: Dr RS Paroda; Rita Sharma | Photo courtesy of Dr Paroda report
“Over-regulation due to unnecessary bureaucracy or self-interest or just scientific ignorance, researchers are demotivated to apply innovations to develop new varieties, here is the case of Petunia.”, commented by Dr. Rishi, Coordinator of APAARI
News Source | Photo Credit: Henry Miller | Society of American Florists
Bt Cotton adoption in Punjab has resulted in net economic, environmental benefits: Study
16 July 2021
Bt Cotton adoption in Punjab has resulted in net economic, environmental benefits: Study
News Source | Photo Credit: Vikas Vasudeva | Reuters
Research Article: Engineering broad-spectrum disease-resistant rice by editing multiple susceptibility genes
14 July 2021
Research Article: Engineering broad-spectrum disease-resistant rice by editing multiple susceptibility genes
News Source | Photo Credit: Hui Tao, Xuetao Shi, Feng He, Dan Wang, Ning Xiao, Hong Fang, Ruyi Wang, Fan Zhang, Min Wang, Aihong Li, Xionglun Liu, Guo-Liang Wang, Yuese Ning
Viewpoint: Genome editing helps African researchers develop disease-resistant banana varieties
12 July 2021
“Roots, tubers and #bananas, enhance food system resilience, are strategic crops to support rural livelihoods in challenging climate and environmental conditions. #GenomeEditing helps to develop #disease-resistant banana varieties.”, commented by Dr. Rishi, Coordinator of APAARI
News Source | Photo Credit: Verenardo Meemem, Cornell Alliance for Science | Mike Kuhn/Queensland University of Technology
Genome editing for resistance against plant pests and pathogens
09 July 2021
Genome editing for resistance against plant pests and pathogens
News Source | Photo Credit: Cláudia Rato, Miguel F. Carvalho, Cristina Azevedo, Paula Rodrigues Oblessuc
Dole China and Syngenta to Release 2 Disney-Branded Tomato Varieties
07 July 2021
Dole China and Syngenta to Release 2 Disney-Branded Tomato Varieties
News Source | Photo Credit: PRODUCE REPORT | Dole China
Study Finds Gene Editing in Cattle Produces No Off-Target Mutagenesis
05 July 2021
Study Finds Gene Editing in Cattle Produces No Off-Target Mutagenesis
News Source | Photo Credit: ISAAA
PACTs Fellowships for Least Developed Countries – Call open
02 July 2021
PACTs Fellowships for Least Developed Countries – Call open.
News Source | Photo Credit: ICGEB Official
Global Commitments to Conserving and Monitoring Genetic Diversity Are Now Necessary and Feasible
01 July 2021
Research Article: Global Commitments to Conserving and Monitoring Genetic Diversity Are Now Necessary and Feasible.
News Source | Photo Credit: Sean Hoban et al.
Global Commitments to Conserving and Monitoring Genetic Diversity Are Now Necessary and Feasible
01 July 2021
Research Article: Global Commitments to Conserving and Monitoring Genetic Diversity Are Now Necessary and Feasible.
News Source | Photo Credit: Sean Hoban et al.
Viewpoint: They offer a magical vision of a better future but not in this world’: In Foreign Policy, social scientists opposed to conventional agriculture spark fierce organic vs intensive farming debate
News Source | Photo Credit: Dan Blaustein-Rejto, Matthew Sanderson, Stan Cox, Ted Nordhaus | Foreign Policy
Practical consequences of digital sequence information (DSI) definitions and access and benefit-sharing scenarios from a plant genebank’s perspective
News Source | Photo Credit: Martin Brink, Theo van Hintum
The international political process around Digital Sequence Information under the Convention on Biological Diversity and the 2018–2020 intersessional period
News Source | Photo Credit: Fabian Rohden, Amber Hartman Scholz
Viewpoint: GM fish food deal brings sustainable salmon a step closer to commercialization
21 June 2021
Viewpoint: GM fish food deal brings sustainable salmon a step closer to commercialization
News Source | Photo Credit: Mark Lynas, Cornell Alliance for Science | Camelina. Credit: Scott Chalmers, WADO)
Health and Biodiversity
18 June 2021
“Biodiversity is essentially interwoven with many of the factors that affect human health, including: Nutrition, Mental health, Climate change, Disease spread, Ecosystem health and many more!”, UN Biodiversity
News Source | Photo Credit: UN Biodiversity
Systems biology for crop improvement
14 June 2021
“Our latest paper together w/ partners proposes a strategic #SystemsBiology approach & integration of #multiomics #data for a holistic & better understanding of the dynamic biological system, towards accelerated crop improvement.”, Center of Excellence in Genomics & Systems Biology, ICRISAT
News Source | Photo Credit: Lekha T. Pazhamala, Himabindu Kudapa, Wolfram Weckwerth, A. Harvey Millar, Rajeev K. Varshney
Global status of commercialized biotech/GM Crops: 2019
16 June 2021
“Did you know that 72 countries (on every continent except Antarctica) have adopted biotech crops since 1996, the first year of commercial planting? And biotech crops help food security, sustainability, and climate change mitigation? Learn more below @isaaa_org @ISAAASciSpeaks.”, CropLife International
News Source | Photo Credit: ISAAA
Systems biology for crop improvement
14 June 2021
“Our latest paper together w/ partners proposes a strategic #SystemsBiology approach & integration of #multiomics #data for a holistic & better understanding of the dynamic biological system, towards accelerated crop improvement.”, Center of Excellence in Genomics & Systems Biology, ICRISAT
News Source | Photo Credit: Lekha T. Pazhamala, Himabindu Kudapa, Wolfram Weckwerth, A. Harvey Millar, Rajeev K. Varshney
Europe is reviewing its stance on CRISPR crops
11 June 2021
Europe is reviewing its stance on CRISPR crops
News Source | Photo Credit: Joan Conrow | Alliance for Science
How to breed a climate resilient sunflower?
09 June 2021
Look to its ancient cousins
News Source | Photo Credit: Sarah Gibbens | Sunflowers bloom in July 2020 on a field in Germany. In September and October, the sunflowers are harvested and oil is pressed from the seeds. Photograph by Jens Büttner picture alliance/Getty Images
Designing Future Crops: Genomics-Assisted Breeding Comes of Age
07 June 2021
Want to know about GAB2.0? here it is. We published about #Genomics_Assisted_Breeding (GAB) 15 years back in 10th Anniversary Issue, and now we document success stories of GAB and way forward for GAB as GAB2.0 in 25th Anniversary Issue of @TrendsPlantSci.”, Rajeev Varshney, Research Program Director of ICRISAT
News Source | Photo Credit: Rajeev K.Varshney, Abhishek Bohra, Jianming Yu, Andreas Graner, Qifa Zhang, Mark E. Sorrells
A Wild Way to Boost Wheat Yields
04 June 2021
“In the face of climate change, improving wheat varieties is essential to maintaining yields.”, CGIAR Nutrition
News Source | Photo Credit: CGIAR Genebank Platform
Conducive regulations can boost gene edited products
03 June 2021
Conducive regulations can boost gene edited products
News Source | Photo Credit: Y V Phani Raj | Telangana Today
The handbook published by @FAOAsiaPacific: Ecosystem approach to aquaculture management
31 May 2021
The handbook published by @FAOAsiaPacific: Ecosystem approach to aquaculture management.
News Source | Photo Credit: FAO Asia Pacific
Frequently asked questions – Genetically Engineered Plants and Biosafety
27 May 2021
What you want to know all about genetically engineered plants and biosafety related questions- read here
News Source | Photo Credit: South Asia Biosafety Program
Multiple Statistical Analyses Show Compositional Equivalence of Bt and non-Bt Rice Varieties
26 May 2021
Multiple Statistical Analyses Show Compositional Equivalence of Bt and non-Bt Rice Varieties
News Source | Photo Credit: Seon-Woo Oh, Eun-Ha Kim, So-Young Lee, Da-Young Baek, Sang-Gu Lee, Hyeon-Jung Kang, Young-Soo Chung, Soon-Ki Park & Tae-Hun Ryu
Gene discovery may help peaches tolerate climate stress
25 May 2021
Gene discovery may help peaches tolerate climate stress
News Source | Photo Credit: Michael J. Haas | A behmi tree (Prunus mira), which is a wild relative of the domesticated peach, grows in its native habitat next to a glacier on the Tibetan Plateau. Image credit: Yong Li, Zhengzhou Fruit Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences.
CGIAR Germplasm Health Units in the Prevention of Transboundary Pests
21 May 2021
Click the link for more information: https://youtu.be/eahlLa1dyTk
News Source | Photo Credit: International Potato Center (CIP)
Urban poor community turns demolished homes into food security gardens
19 May 2021
Urban poor community turns demolished homes into food security gardens
News Source | Photo Credit: Geela Garcia (Philstar.com)
Revamp of UK CRISPR regulation will require public trust
17 May 2021
Revamp of UK CRISPR regulation will require public trust
News Source | Photo Credit: EDITORIAL of nature
New book covers fragile status of the genetic diversity of our food
14 May 2021
https://bit.ly/392a7ik via @EurekAlert #BiodiversityForFood
News Source | Photo Credit: International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT)
“Pacific Islands Countries have enormous potential to address food security problems as these are home of many root and tuber crops, those contribute in food system as important crops. @B4FNTeam @BiovIntCIAT_eng @UNBiodiversity @planttreaty”, commented by Dr. Rishi, Coordinator of APAARI
News Source | Photo Credit: Hemalatha Palanivel and Shipra Shah
Sanatech Seed launches world’s first GE tomato
10 May 2021
“(Japanese) Sanatech Seed launches world’s first tomato developed using gene editing – a new plant breeding technique.”, commented by Dr. Rishi, Coordinator of APAARI
News Source | Photo Credit: fruitnet.com
Global Institute for Food Security researchers at USask help map broad genetic diversity of canola crop
07 May 2021
The International Canola Pan-genome Consortium, an international group of leading academic and commercial companies from the USA, Canada, Europe, and Israel has announced the successful completion of the canola/rapeseed pan-genome
News Source | Photo Credit: University of Saskatchewan| Canola plant. (Photo: Shea Long, Coastal Lifestyles Photography)
What are TALENs and How are TALENs different from CRISPRs?
05 May 2021
“New ISAAA infographic illustrates #TALENs, how they are different from #CRISPR, how they help improve crops, and how to gain access to the technology. Download here: http://bit.ly/TALENsInfog”, ISAAA
News Source | Photo Credit: ISAAA
New Book Explores Global Attitudes to GM Crops and Unravels Reasons Behind Negative Sentiments
03 May 2021
New Book Explores Global Attitudes to GM Crops and Unravels Reasons Behind Negative Sentiments
News Source | Photo Credit: Clement Dionglay | ISAAA
Advanced domestication: harnessing the precision of gene editing in crop breeding
30 April 2021
Advanced domestication: harnessing the precision of gene editing in crop breeding
News Source | Photo Credit: Wendy J. Lyzenga, Curtis J. Pozniak and Sateesh Kagale
Turkey Approves Five Biotech Traits
29 April 2021
Turkey Approves Five Biotech Traits
News Source | Photo Credit: ISAAA
Rescue plan for nature: How to fix the biodiversity crisis
27 April 2021
“Every dollar spent on ecosystem restoration accrues between $3 and $75 in return” @UNBiodiversity @FAOSDGs
News Source | Photo Credit: Graham Lawton | Jack Dykinga/naturepl.com
The role of scientists in policy making for more sustainable agriculture
23 April 2021
The role of scientists in policy making for more sustainable agriculture
News Source | Photo Credit: OanaDima and DirkInzé
Indonesian Scientists Identify Novel Gene To Develop Aluminum-Tolerant Rice
21 April 2021
Indonesian Scientists Identify Novel Gene To Develop Aluminum-Tolerant Rice. Check the paper here.
News Source | Photo Credit: ISAAA
Foods made from gene-edited wheat may contain lower levels of potentially carcinogenic chemical acrylamide
19 April 2021
Foods made from gene-edited wheat may contain lower levels of potentially carcinogenic chemical acrylamide
News Source | Photo Credit: Robert Arnason | Western Producer | 123rf
Global Regulation of Genetically Modified Crops Amid the Gene Edited Crop Boom – A Review
16 April 2021
“Regulations on GM crops are highly varied across the globe. Strict legislation with rigorous scientific assessments is more in keeping with societal values, but too onerous approaches negate the development of scientific expertise & knowledge sharing.”, Channa Prakash, AgBioWorld
News Source | Photo Credit: Crystal Turnbull, Morten Lillemo and Trine A. K. Hvoslef-Eide*
How Queensland scientists are saving banana crops from wipe out
14 April 2021
How scientists are working to save banana from Panama disease. Science provides solution.
News Source | Photo Credit: 7NEWS Australia
Viewpoint: Gene-edited crops may be coming to Europe—if scientists can avoid the PR mistakes of the GMO debate
12 April 2021
Viewpoint: Gene-edited crops may be coming to Europe—if scientists can avoid the PR mistakes of the GMO debate
News Source | Photo Credit: Jonathan Menary, Sebastian Fuller
The Economics of Biodiversity: The Dasgupta Review
09 April 2021
“How to transform our food systems, so that we are all better fed while conserving biodiversity for future generations. Read Review: https://bit.ly/2OdMk7F.”, commented by Dr. Rishi, Coordinator of APAARI
News Source | Photo Credit: Dasgupta, P. (2021), The Economics of Biodiversity: The Dasgupta Review. (London: HM Treasury) | ©Will Jenkins
Developing Countries Outperform Industrial Countries in GM Crop Adoption
07 April 2021
“Brazil, India, and Argentina led developing countries in planting #biotechcrops in 2019. Read details in #CropBiotechUpdate: https://bit.ly/3cYHlld”, ISAAA
News Source | Photo Credit: ISAAA
Will Ethiopia be a springboard or a stonewall for GM crops in Africa?
05 April 2021
“Ethiopia Is key player for GM crops in Africa, enabling policies play key role in adoption of technology.”, commented by Dr. Rishi, Coordinator of APAARI @aatfafrica @agbiotech @Agbio_GE @ICGEB @GMOinfoEU @GMOAnswers
News Source | Photo Credit: Tesfaye (Shiferaw) Sida (International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), Sustainable Intensification Program (SIP), CIMMYT-Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia)
More Transparency Recommended for Gene-Edited Crops
02 April 2021
More Transparency Recommended for Gene-Edited Crops
News Source | Photo Credit: The Global Plant Council (GPC)
The 2020 edition of The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture (SOFIA) has a particular focus on sustainability
31 March 2021
“Fish is one of the most internationally traded foods, with a total export value of $165 billion in 2018, up from $36 billion in 1990. Read the latest The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2020 Interactive story here: https://bit.ly/3cyUS2W.”, FAO Asia Pacific
News Source | Photo Credit: FAO Asia Pacific
Salt Tolerant Red Gum Tree Does Not Harm Biodiversity
29 March 2021
University of Tsukuba study reports that salt tolerant red gum tree does not harm #biodiversity. Read details in #CropBiotechUpdate: https://bit.ly/3j8PcOc
News Source | Photo Credit: ISAAA
Viewpoint: CRISPR crops offer many benefits. Governments should teach the public about them
26 March 2021
Viewpoint: CRISPR crops offer many benefits. Governments should teach the public about them.
News Source | Photo Source: Yomiuri Shimbun and Ratuken Infoseek
Regulatory Harmonization
24 March 2021
“Regulatory harmonization for GM crops is a win-win situation for regulators, Developers, Farmers and consumers.”, commented by Dr. Rishi, Coordinator of APAARI
News Source | Photo Source: CropLife International
ISAAA Brief 55, the full report on global adoption of biotech/GM crops in 2019 is now available!
22 March 2021
Get an e-copy for US$50 at http://bit.ly/BuyISAAAB55
News Source | Photo Source: ISAAA
Biofortified Staple Crops: Empowering Smallholder Farmers to be Food System Change Agents
17 March 2021
Biofortified Staple Crops: Empowering Smallholder Farmers to be Food System Change Agents
News Source | Photo Source: FARMING FIRST | HarvestPlus (Biofortified crops are ready for rapid scale-up writes the author – here we see a farm of biofortified beans.)
3 pioneering African nations embrace gene editing to boost food security, farmer incomes
15 March 2021
3 pioneering African nations embrace gene editing to boost food security, farmer incomes
News Source | Photo Source: Verenardo Meeme | Cornell Alliance for Science | Nkechi Isaac (Cowpeas for sale in a Nigerian market.)
Here’s everything you need to know about USDA’s National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard
12 March 2021
Here’s everything you need to know about USDA’s National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard
News Source | Photo Source: GMO Anwsers
“ICAR receives King Bhumibol #WorldSoilDay2020 Award of @FAO for its contribution in “Soil Health Awareness” on theme “Stop Soil erosion, save our future” during last year. Ms. Suchitra Durai, Ambassador of India to Kingdom of Thailand received the award on behalf of the Council.”, ICAR
News Source | Photo Credit: ICAR
USDA APHIS Deregulates Genetically Engineered Orange Petunias
09 March 2021
USDA APHIS Deregulates Genetically Engineered Orange Petunias
News Source | Photo Source: ISAAA | USDA APHIS
European Commission Authorizes Eight GM Crops for Food and Feed
05 March 2021
“European Commission authorized to import #GM soybean & maize for food & feed, unfortunately, does not authorize cultivation! – injustice to EU farmers & consumers for not harvesting the benefits of #technology.”, commented by Dr. Rishi, Coordinator of APAARI
News source and Credit: ISAAA
Genetically engineered, blight-resistant potato could help East Africa beat hunger and move towards food self-sufficiency
26 February 2021
“Genetically engineered, blight-resistant potato could help East Africa beat hunger and move towards food self-sufficiency.”, Tadessa Daba
News source and Credit: Tadessa Daba
USDA APHIS Deregulates GE Insect Resistant Cotton
24 February 2021
USDA APHIS Deregulates GE Insect Resistant Cotton
News source and Credit: ISAAA
Biotech crops provide a better environment
19 February 2021
“#Biotechcrops provide a better environment. Crop Biotechnology helped decrease the use of crop protection products by 776 million kgs, a global reduction of 8.6% in 1996-2018. Visit ISAAA Brief 55 page for more details: https://bit.ly/ISAAABrief55.”, ISAAA
News source and Credit: ISAAA
CRISPR gene editing could boost protein in plants and help produce more vegetable oil
12 February 2021
CRISPR gene editing could boost protein in plants and help produce more vegetable oil
News source and Credit: ISAAA
France backs non-GMO regulation for crop gene-editing in EU
09 February 2021
“Positive development in Europe… UK, Norway and now France may allow scientifically proven safe products of NBTs. Since GMOs are also products of a method of plant breeding – EU needs to review it’s regulation policies.”, commented by Dr. Rishi, Coordinator of APAARI
Credit: REUTERS/Charles Platiau/File Photo
Stop Arguing over GMO Crops
04 February 2021
The vast majority of the scientific community agrees on both their safety and their potential to help feed the world sustainably
Genetically modified rice. Credit: Getty Images
GE animals: While the federal government delays approvals, antibiotic use, animal suffering and food prices increase
03 February 2021
GE animals: While the federal government delays approvals, antibiotic use, animal suffering and food prices increase
Golden Rice could fight deadly vitamin A deficiency now. Why do farmers have to wait another 3 years to grow it?
02 February 2021
Golden Rice could fight deadly vitamin A deficiency now. Why do farmers have to wait another 3 years to grow it?
Europe’s blanket opposition to gene editing, pesticides means higher food prices for world’s poorest people
22 January 2021
Europe’s blanket opposition to gene editing, pesticides means higher food prices for world’s poorest people
Where are GMO crops and animals approved and banned?
15 January 2021
Where are GMO crops and animals approved and banned?
Singapore’s approval for lab-grown chicken is a watershed moment for the future of meat
08 January 2021
Singapore’s approval for lab-grown chicken is a watershed moment for the future of meat
GM banana could help Uganda’s farmers battle bacterial wilt, but the country needs a biosafety law first
29 December 2020
GM banana could help Uganda’s farmers battle bacterial wilt, but the country needs a biosafety law first.
Photo Credit: Clare Thatcher
NBMA Validates National Biosafety Guidelines on Gene Editing in Nigeria
28 December 2020
NBMA Validates National Biosafety Guidelines on Gene Editing in Nigeria.
US FDA Has Approved First GM Pig for People with Red Meat Allergies
22 December 2020
US FDA Has Approved First GM Pig for People with Red Meat Allergies.
Golden Rice gets safety approval in Philippines
18 December 2020
Golden Rice gets safety approval in Philippines.
Photo Credit: IRRI
As the CRISPR revolution advances, here’s how gene editing will actually help farmers and consumers
18 December 2020
As the CRISPR revolution advances, here’s how gene editing will actually help farmers and consumers.
Photo Credit: Michael Gottschalk/Photothek/Getty Images
Thailand advances legislation to repeal GM crop cultivation ban for second time in 5 years
08 December 2020
Thailand advances legislation to repeal GM crop cultivation ban for second time in 5 years.
Image credit: Siebe Baarda
South Australia Rejects 11 Proposals to Ban GM Crops, Says GM Moratorium’s Price Premiums Only a Myth
04 December 2020
South Australia Rejects 11 Proposals to Ban GM Crops, Says GM Moratorium’s Price Premiums Only a Myth.
Australian OGTR Issues License for Commercial Release of Herbicide Tolerant Cotton
01 December 2020
Australian OGTR Issues License for Commercial Release of Herbicide Tolerant Cotton.
CRISPR gene-editing technology to protect bananas and other staple crops across Africa against killer pathogens
24 November 2020
CRISPR gene-editing technology to protect bananas and other staple crops across Africa against killer pathogens.
Image credit: JN Tripathi
GM insect-resistant Bt cotton boosted India’s crop yields? Activist study says no, but crop biotech experts say yes
16 November 2020
GM insect-resistant Bt cotton boosted India’s crop yields? Activist study says no, but crop biotech experts say yes.
Image credit: India Times
More than 280 scientific and technical institutions support the safety of GM crops
13 November 2020
More than 280 scientific and technical institutions support the safety of GM crops.
A Common Plant Virus Is an Unlikely Ally in the War on Cancer
10 November 2020
A Common Plant Virus Is an Unlikely Ally in the War on Cancer.
Greenpeace-funded study backfires, undermining case to treat gene-edited crops as GMOs
06 November 2020
Greenpeace-funded study backfires, undermining case to treat gene-edited crops as GMOs.
Greenpeace-funded study backfires, undermining case to treat gene-edited crops as GMOs
06 November 2020
Greenpeace-funded study backfires, undermining case to treat gene-edited crops as GMOs.
Bt cotton, yields and farmers’ benefits
03 November 2020
Bt cotton, yields and farmers’ benefits.
New technology accelerates crop improvement with CRISPR
30 October 2020
New technology accelerates crop improvement with CRISPR.
GM crops can slash Africa’s pesticide use: Insect-resistant cowpea field trial shows farmers how
27 October 2020
GM crops can slash Africa’s pesticide use: Insect-resistant cowpea field trial shows farmers how.
Pink pineapples are finally available for purchase — but they’re not cheap
23 October 2020
Pink pineapples are finally available for purchase — but they’re not cheap.
Image Credit: TODAY
No evidence GMO chestnut trees harm humans, animals or the environment, developers tell USDA
20 October 2020
No evidence GMO chestnut trees harm humans, animals or the environment, developers tell USDA.
Gene Editing Improves Drought Tolerance in Tomato
16 October 2020
Gene Editing Improves Drought Tolerance in Tomato.
There’s no such thing as a ‘GMO,’ and the history of potatoes illustrates why the term is ‘nonsensical’
12 October 2020
There’s no such thing as a ‘GMO,’ and the history of potatoes illustrates why the term is ‘nonsensical’.
Burkina Faso renews commitment to GM crops with Bt cowpea
06 October 2020
Burkina Faso renews commitment to GM crops with Bt cowpea.
Indian farmers can’t wait anymore, they are sowing seeds of GM crops one Bt brinjal at a time
02 October 2020
Indian farmers can’t wait anymore, they are sowing seeds of GM crops one Bt brinjal at a time
Gene-edited algae could help cut biodiesel production costs
29 September 2020
Gene-edited algae could help cut biodiesel production costs
Gene editing could improve productivity traits in water buffalo
25 September 2020
Gene editing could improve productivity traits in water buffalo
How precautionary activism and reporting paint a misleading picture of biotechnology
24 September 2020
How precautionary activism and reporting paint a misleading picture of biotechnology
Image credit: Chris Labrooy
Why grow GMOs? To prevent cancer, pesticide poisoning and farmer suicides
24 September 2020
Why grow GMOs? To prevent cancer, pesticide poisoning and farmer suicides.
Philippines rollout of insect-resistant Bt eggplant expected to dramatically increase farmer profits
18 September 2020
Philippines rollout of insect-resistant Bt eggplant expected to dramatically increase farmer profits.
PH Government Grants GM Corn Seeds, Farm Inputs to Farmers Association’s Model Farm
16 September 2020
PH Government Grants GM Corn Seeds, Farm Inputs to Farmers Association’s Model Farm.
The evolving landscape around genome editing in agriculture
11 September 2020
The evolving landscape around genome editing in agriculture.
Chile poised to tackle food shortages and climate change with ‘Golden Apple’ and other CRISPR-edited crops
10 September 2020
Chile poised to tackle food shortages and climate change with ‘Golden Apple’ and other CRISPR-edited crops.
Indian Govt nod for field trials of two indigenous types of genetically modified brinjal
09 September 2020
Indian Govt nod for field trials of two indigenous types of genetically modified brinjal.
South Korea’s First Genome Edited Petunia Approved in the U.S.
04 September 2020
South Korea’s First Genome Edited Petunia Approved in the U.S.
Experts Review Potential of Plant-Based Edible Vaccines
02 September 2020
Experts Review Potential of Plant-Based Edible Vaccines.
Rainfed GMO insect-resistant Bt cotton in India cuts pesticide use 28 percent, study finds
01 September 2020
Rainfed GMO insect-resistant Bt cotton in India cuts pesticide use 28 percent, study finds.
Video: What are the risks and benefits of animal gene editing?
21 August 2020
Video: What are the risks and benefits of animal gene editing?
Indian scientists call out anti-GMO groups trying to block insect-resistant Bt eggplant safety field trials
19 August 2020
Indian scientists call out anti-GMO groups trying to block insect-resistant Bt eggplant safety field trials.
Why grow GMOs? Because plants don’t naturally evolve into food fit for humans
11 August 2020
Why grow GMOs? Because plants don’t naturally evolve into food fit for humans.
Fast-growing GMO salmon poised to hit US stores in 2020
29 July 2020
Fast-growing GMO salmon poised to hit US stores in 2020.
ISAAA launches open-access page for Genome Editing Resources to disseminate the information collected from authentic sources.
Researchers Turn to CRISPR Genome Editing to Make Cyanide-Free Cassava
23 July 2020
Researchers Turn to CRISPR Genome Editing to Make Cyanide-Free Cassava.
Viewpoint: Calling gene-edited crops ‘natural’ won’t dispel public skepticism. Here’s a better way to build trust in CRISPR by Christopher Preston, Trine Antonsen.
Image Credit: C&EN/Shutterstock
Viewpoint: Fish farming has a sustainability problem and genetic engineering might be the solution
15 July 2020
Fish farming has a sustainability problem and genetic engineering might be the solution by Rupesh Paudyal.
Facing disease crisis, Ugandan farmers say they’ll illegally grow GMO cassava to feed their families, increase yields
08 July 2020
Facing disease crisis, Ugandan farmers say they’ll illegally grow GMO cassava to feed their families, increase yields.
Image credit: Durrie Bouscaren/St. Louis Public Radio
Eight GM plant species pass safety tests for import in China
30 June 2020
Eight GM plant species pass safety tests for import in China.
GMO skeptics abuse UN Biodiversity Conference to promote anti-biotech agenda
25 June 2020
Viewpoint: GMO skeptics abuse UN Biodiversity Conference to promote anti-biotech agenda.
Maharashtra farmers intensify pro-GM crops stir in India
23 June 2020
With thousands of farmers sowing GM cotton, soya bean, BT brinjal and corn seeds, the Shetkari Sanghatana (Farmers’ Organization) of Maharashtra in India has intensified its agitation against the ban on GM crops.
Top 5 Biotech Crops Occupy 99% of Global Biotech Crop Area
15 June 2020
‘In 2018, a total of 70 countries adopted biotech crops — 26 countries planted and 44 additional countries imported.’
Insect-resistant Bt cotton failed in India, claims ‘unprecedented’ study
10 June 2020
Insect-resistant Bt cotton failed in India, claims ‘unprecedented’ study. Prominent geneticist says anti-GMO authors designed study to seed doubt about crop biotech.
FSANZ Rules GM Potatoes Are Safe, Calls the Public to Comment
29 MAY 2020
Two genetically modified (GM) potato lines have passed the evaluation of the Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ). They announced that there are no potential public health and safety concerns with the said potatoes.
The evolving landscape around genome editing in agriculture
27 MAY 2020
Genome editing is revolutionizing plant science and its applications in agriculture. In its simplest form, it can generate specific genetic variants that are indistinguishable from naturally evolved variants. The legislation and regulation of genome‐edited plants in many countries is similarly evolving rapidly to adapt to the new technologies.
Can the gene editing technology known as CRISPR help reduce biodiversity loss worldwide?
15 MAY 2020
There are no perfect or universal solutions to the biodiversity crisis the world is facing. CRISPR “could be such an amazing tool if we are respectful [and] responsible and use it properly.
Image:Markus G. Stetter, Daniel J. Gates, Wenbin Mei, Jeffrey Ross-Ibarra via Current Biology, Volume 27, Issue 17; “How to make a domesticate”
Genetically Engineered Crops: A Necessity for Food Security
13 MAY 2020
Governments in countries that have been hesitant to introduce GMO and CRISPR genome-edited crops into their agricultural practices need to reconsider the benefits that these new tools and technologies can offer and use the examples set forth in countries like the U.S. to build the new framework.
Anti-GMO Advocacy Funding Tracker
10 MAY 2020
Many foundations & environmental NGOs tax records indicates that anti-biotech advocates spend far more on GMO activism than companies/trade associations linked to the biotechnology industry.
Where are GMO crops grown?
06 MAY 2020
One of the more popular claims by critics of GMOs is that only a few countries grow genetically engineered crops, led by the United States, Canada, Brazil and Argentina. That’s just not true. It’s a worldwide phenomenon, and breakthroughs continued this year with the introduction of GMO crops in Kenya and Nigeria, and the anticipated rollout of Golden Rice in the Philippines. Adoption of GM crops is fastest; 41 countries, 22 crops, 5 continents; 9 countries in Asia-Pacific region; 28 countries, 200 m ha; Acreage increased x113 in from 1996 to 2020.
Next-generation gene-editing technology: Path to a second Green Revolution?
22 APRIL 2020
Gene-editing has potential to trigger ‘Second Green Revolution’ by improvement in major crops. But persistent disconnect between what can be done to accelerate plant breeding using the new gene-editing toolkit and what is actually being done by both the public and private sectors to get varieties improved by these methods out to farmers. (Image credit: SEARCA-BIC)
2020 Global Food Policy Report: Building Inclusive Food Systems
08 APRIL 2020
The 2020 Global Food Policy Report is launched virtually (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=guSH2JEDht0). This report focuses on the need to build inclusive food systems, both to ensure that marginalized and vulnerable people enjoy the benefits and opportunities that food systems can bring and to support sustainable development. Inclusive food systems can help create better economic opportunities for poor people, mitigate climate change impacts for the most vulnerable, and spark innovation for the production and consumption of healthy foods.
Genetically Modified Crops Market – Insights
31 MARCH 2020
Global GM crops market was valued at 18.15 billion in 2018 and is expected to reach 37.46 billion by 2027 exhibit a compound annual growth rate of 8.7%. Asia-Pacific is expected to witness significant growth in GM crops market.
Corona virus tests: researchers chase new diagnostic to fight the pandemic
25 MARCH 2020
Mammoth Biosciences, a biotechnology company in South San Francisco, California, co-founded by CRISPR pioneer Jennifer Doudna at the University of California, Berkeley, is working to validate a CRISPR-based approach called DETECTR (https://reurl.cc/7X32yk) for coronavirus. CRISPR-based tests under development to fight COVID-19 (Image credit: Ina Fassbender/AFP/Getty).
From hunger to profitable harvest: How GMO, CRISPR-edited plants can help curb $220 billion in annual crop losses
18 MARCH 2020
From hunger to profitable harvest: How GMO, CRISPR-edited plants can help curb $220 billion in annual crop losses.
Rosneft Joins Russia’s Gene-Editing Tech Program
10 MARCH 2020
President Vladimir Putin ordered in December, aims to accelerate Russia’s $1.6 billion program to create 30 new varieties of genetically modified crops and animals by 2027. (Image Credit: Alexander Avilov/Moskva News Agency)
Marker-free carotenoid-enriched rice generated through targeted gene insertion using CRISPR-Cas9
06 MARCH 2020
CRISPR-Cas9 can be successfully used to biofortify rice with carotenoid to help prevent blindness, weakened immune systems and other health problems associated with vitamin A deficiency, which is especially prevalent among children in developing nations.
The regulation of genome-edited plants in the European Union
06 MARCH 2020
A top European science council calling is demanding a “radical reform of the legal framework” that regulates genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in the European Union.
Global Gene Editing Regulation Tracker and Index
25 FEBRUARY 2020
Click on a country (e.g. Brazil, US) or region (e.g. European Union) below to find which agriculture products and processes are approved or in development and their regulatory status. The regulations on genetically engineered crops and animals are emerging out of the regulatory landscape developed for transgenic GMOs.
Impact of genetically engineered maize on agronomic, environmental and toxicological traits: a meta-analysis of 21 years of field data
24 FEBRUARY 2020
Despite the extensive cultivation of genetically engineered (GE) maize and considerable number of scientific reports on its agro-environmental impact, the risks and benefits of GE maize are still being debated and concerns about safety remain.
Two Bt cotton varieties developed by Punjab Agricultural University identified for cultivation
17 FEBRUARY 2020
The major attraction of the development of Bt varieties is that farmers can produce the seed for next year on their own and will get rid of purchase of costly hybrid seed every year.
EU Commission Seeks Overhaul of GM Law to Address Gene Editing Regulations.
22 JANUARY 2020
The EU is currently taking measures to review the ruling on gene editing and overhaul the current GMO legislation, according to EU Agriculture Commissioner Phil Hogan.
GM Moratorium lifted in Mainland of South Australia after 15 Years.
01 JANUARY 2020
Farmers on mainland of South Australia now have the choice to buy and grow genetically modified seeds and crops with new regulations. The lifting of the GM moratorium allows South Australian farmers to make decisions ahead of the 2020 growing season and give them more tools to grow the economy and create jobs.
Gene-modified crops set to pass biosafety tests
02 JANUARY 2020
The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China encourages scientific research and development in GMO technology. A total of 192 genetically modified plant species－including two corn species and a soybean species are expected to pass biosafety evaluations by, opening the way to their commercial use in China.
GMO Opponents Are Immoral, Argues Purdue University President Mitch Daniels.
02 JANUARY 2020
Avoiding GMOs is not only anti-science but GMO Opponents are immoral also, argues Purdue University President Mitch Daniels. It’s past time to tell your anti-GMO friends, family and neighbors they are helping to kill poor people.
On Jan 5, Maha farmers set to showcase success of sowing banned HTBt cotton.
02 JANUARY 2020
Indian farmers ignoring the government decision for not approving new GM crops, who have already planted 3 million acres of unapproved HTBT cotton anyway and proudly celebrating GM technology Freedom Festival.
Field trails of GM potato conducted successfully
05 DECEMBER 2019
The latest stage of field trials conducted by The Sainsbury Laboratory for a genetically modified (GM) potato with improved tuber quality and resistance to the devastating disease late blight has progressed successfully. The field trials were conducted after successful lab experiments to modify Maris Piper potatoes with late blight resistance genes from Solanum americanum and S. venturii, wild relatives of potato.
EU authorized GMOs for food/feed uses
04 DECEMBER 2019
The European Commission has authorized eight genetically modified organisms (GMOs), all for food/feed uses. These are: maize MZHG0JG; maize MON 89034 x 1507 x NK603 x DAS-40278-9; maize MON 89034 x 1507 x MON 88017 x 59122 x DAS-40278-9; maize Bt11 x MIR162 x MIR604 x 1507 x 5307 x GA21; renewals of soybean MON 89788 and soybean A2704-12; renewal of cotton LLCotton25; and renewal of oilseed rape T45.
Genome-Edited Triple-Recessive Mutation Alters Seed Dormancy in Wheat
29 AUGUST 2019
Researchers from NARO and Okayama University, Japan developed rain-resistant wheat using CRISPER-Cas9 in about one year whereas it take about 10 years using conventional breeding approach.
A Farmer Satyagraha for Permission-less Innovation
27 JUNE 2019
Civil disobedience’ movement by Indian farmers for their rights to avail benefits of biotech products even after Bt brinjal success in neighboring country Bangladesh
Government must allow farmers to have access to technologies in agriculture to dissuade illegal use of Bt brinjal in India. Believing that with a change in government and of environment minister, Bt brinjal could be approved.
Golden Rice, Part 4: Cost-effective GMO crop can save lives and dramatically boost developing economies
06 JUNE 2019
Economists have calculated that conservative adoption of Golden Rice would benefit the GDP of Asian countries by US$6.4 billion (value in US$ of 2005) annually through increased productivity enabled by reduced vitamin A deficiency-induced sickness, and improved eyesight, and ~US$17.4 billion (value in US$ of 2005) if Golden Rice adoption encouraged adoption of other nutritional traits in rice.
A new high precision method for genetic engineering and gene editing
09 APR 2019
High aspect ratio nanomaterials enable delivery of functional genetic material without DNA integration in mature plants – a simple and speedy method similar to a sewing with a needle and thread. The results are published in Nature Nanotechnology.
Why biotechnology can be Indian economy’s next success story
APR 2019
The Indian biotechnology industry has flourished over the years. As of 2016, India had over a thousand biotechnology start-ups. Department of Biotechnology has set up 17 Centres of Excellence at higher education institutions across the country. Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) has successfully supported 316 start-ups in its six years of existence.
Gene-edited foods are safe, Japanese panel concludes
APR 2019
Japan will allow gene-edited foodstuffs to be sold to consumers without safety evaluations as long as the techniques involved meet certain criteria, if recommendations agreed on by an advisory panel and adopted by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
GM Mustard Crop
30 OCT 2018
The Supreme Court of India asked the government to make its stand clear on the field trials of Genetically Modified (GM) mustard crop in two weeks.
Philippine’s 4th National Biotechnology Week of the the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) together with the Department of Agriculture (DA)
13 NOV 2018
The 14th National Biotechnology Week (NBW) of the Philippines starts this week with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) as the host agency.
GMO cotton prompts dramatic drop in China’s pesticide use
20 SEPT 2018
China has experienced large and sustained reductions in pesticide use as a result of adopting the GM cotton crop.
South Asia Biosafety Program Newsletter – September – October 2018
Biotech Country Facts and Trends
28 SEP 2018
Golden Rice will be like the normal rice with high a beta-carotene with no additional cost to be paid by the farmers and consumers since the price will also be the same, according to Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) Senior Science Research Specialist, Reynante Ordonio. The way of planting Golden Rice will also be similar to that of existing rice varieties.
GMO controversy is a political debate, not a food safety issue, farmers say
24 SEP 2018
Biotech Country Facts and Trends
24 SEP 2018
Biotech Country Facts and Trends summaries in 1-2 pages that highlight the commercialization of biotech crops in the developing countries have been released by ISAAA. Data on biotech crop commercialization (hectarage and adoption), approvals and planting, benefits and future prospects in each country are presented in a brief and easily understandable manner.
Field trials of GM canola are permitted in Australia
6 SEP 2018
Australia’s Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR) has permitted field trails of GM canaola for altered oil content and herbicide tolerance for 5 years to gather the data for agronomic performance, oil profile and content, nutritional assessment, compositional analysis, molecular analysis, and genetic stability.
Japan government panel has decided not to regulate some genome editing procedures.
21 AUG 18
The Members of Ministry of Environment (MoE), Government of Japan, agreed in a Technical Committee meeting that as long as a product of gene editing technology does not contain nucleic acids from a foreign source, it should not be regulated under the existing genetic engineering regulations in Japan. The MoE is of the opinion to have an “Advisory Panel on GMOs” meeting shortly which will include legal experts also to discuss the decision of Technical Committee.
South Asia Biosafety Program – August newsletter
AUG 2018
Relevant news about biosafety regulation and policy developments in India and Bangladesh, as well as updates about the capacity building activities through the South Asia Biosafety Program are highlighted in this newsletter.
Philippines farmer leaders support the application of biotechnology in agriculture
19 AUG 18
Twenty-eight farmer-leaders from six regions in Mindanao, including the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, added their signatures to more than 200 other previous signatories in the “Declaration of Support for the Application of Biotechnology in Agriculture.”
Shifting the limits in wheat research and breeding using a fully annotated reference genome
17 AUG 18
The International Wheat Genome Sequencing Consortium gives hope to wheat farmers as they publish the fully annotated reference genome wheat opening new vistas in research and breeding of wheat which is one of the major staple food crops in the world.
GMO eggplant crop expands in Bangladesh
06 AUG 2018
Farmers are continuing to rapidly adopt Bt eggplant (brinjal) in Bangladesh, resulting in reduced pesticide use and higher incomes, according to a new paper authored by scientists involved in developing and releasing the pioneering genetically modified crop.
Bt Eggplant Project in Bangladesh: History, Present Status, and Future Direction
03 AUG 2018
History, accomplishments, and future direction of the Bt brinjal (eggplant) program in Bangladesh.
How to make the gene-editing tool CRISPR work even better
02 AUG 2018
Scientists have found conclusive evidence that Cas9, the most popular enzyme currently used in CRISPR gene editing, is less effective and precise than one of the lesser-used CRISPR proteins, Cas12a. Because Cas9 is more likely to edit the wrong part of a plant’s or animal’s genome, disrupting healthy functions, the scientists make the case that switching to Cas12a would lead to safer and more effective gene editing.
EU will regulate gene-edited organisms as GMOs
26 JUL 2018
The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has reached the conclusion that organisms made by any mutagenesis method are GMOs under the European GMO regulations. They must meet the same regulatory requirements that more traditional GMOs must abide by, such as an environmental risk assessment and government authorization.
Commercialization of Bt brinjal is likely to be next year in Philippines.
22 JUL 18
Associate Professor Cesar Quicoy of the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics at the University of the Philippines-Los Baños told in a symposium that the Institute of Plant Breeding is already in the process of applying for commercialization of Bt brinjal, 10 years after its introduction in the country. According to his statement, commercialization of Bt brinjal will be possible by next year in Philippines.
For noncommercialization of Bt eggplant, Filipino farmers losing P33.85 billion
22 JUL 18
Filipino farmers are losing as much as P33.85 billion annually due to noncommercialization of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) eggplant as the genetically modified (GM) crop could double their net income, according to an economist.
Vietnamese farmers optimistic about genetically modified maize
16 JUL 2018
Genetically modified maize (GMM) is a pest resistant crop. If GMM is farmed on a large scale, the amount of maize Vietnam needs to import will decrease. However, the GMM cultivated areas remain far below expectations.
Indian Farmers want GM Cotton Seeds
12 JUL 2018
Indian farmers are ready to buy GM cotton seeds at all costs because GM seeds give a better productivity and profitability to cotton growing farmers.
Australian government authorizes GM wheat field trials
11 JUL 2018
The Office of the Gene Technology Regulator has issued licence DIR 162 to CSIRO, authorising the limited and controlled release (field trial) of wheat genetically modified (GM) for rust disease resistance.
Public consultations scheduled for Golden Rice field trials
06 JULY 2018
The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) has announced that the Philippines Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Plant Industry (DA-BPI) has given the approval for the conduct of public consultations on the proposed field trials for GR2E Golden Rice.
Mandatory labels can improve attitudes toward genetically engineered food
27 JUNE 2018
Scientists from USA reported that mandatory labelling policy of GE foods in USA reduced the opposition level to GE food and helpful to communicate the benefits and risks to consumer and change their perception for GE food.
Fact sheet of ISAAA reiterates the potential of biotechnology
21 JUN 2018
Climate change is a major challenge for agriculture and food security and GM technology can address problems that cannot be solved through conventional crop improvement methods.
GM crops increased farm income and production more in the developing countries than the developed countries
11 JUN 2018
On the basis of cultivation of four main GM crops – soybean, corn, cotton and canola, annual updated analysis shows that there continues to be very significant net economic benefits at the farm level amounting to $18.2 billion in 2016 and $186.1 billion for the period 1996–2016 (in nominal terms). These gains have been divided 48% to farmers in developed countries and 52% to farmers in developing countries.
Making healthy, cheap animal feeds
10 JUN 2018
Dr. Laura Pham, a chemist and food scientist from the University Researcher IV in the Oils and Fats Laboratory and Feeds and Specialty Products Laboratory of the National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (Biotech) of the University of the Philippines Los Baños in Laguna, developed copra meal (generally considered as waste) enriched with protein and mixed in animal feeds, making the livestock and fish healthy for human consumers.
Scientists develop early flowering transgenic mustard
07 JUN 2018
Scientists at Tata Energy Research Institute, India, developed an early flowering transgenic mustard variety. The research will help to develop a plant variety in mustard with shorter life cycle and with better yields through reduced exposure to the harsh climatic conditions in the fields.
Smart tech to help PHL achieve sustainable agri goals
07 JUN 18
The Philippines is promoting the adoption and practice of advanced technology and smart farming methods such vertical farming, micropropagation, cryopreservation and hydroponics, with the aim of developing technology to increase crop production and minimize losses.
These Indian farmers are using Whatsapp and Facebook to demand GM seeds technology
30 MAY 2018
Indian farmers are using social media to demand GM seeds of cotton. The Shetkari Sanghatana (Farmer organization) is organizing conferences for farmers and consumers to create awareness about GM seeds and its volunteers are also going directly to villages to speak to farmers about it. It will help the smallholder farmers to cut down the cost of cultivation and increase farmers’ income.
Simultaneous editing of two copies of Gh14-3-3d confers enhanced transgene-clean plant defense against Verticillium dahliae in allotetraploid upland cotton
30 MAY 2018
The CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing system is a robust and highly efficient tool for generating target gene mutants, by which the genes of interest may be functionally dissected and applied through genotype-to-phenotype approaches. Using this new breeding method, Chinese scientists developed fungus-resistant cotton. These lines can be used as a germplasm to breed disease-resistant cotton varieties.
US FDA approves GMO Golden Rice as safe to eat
29 MAY 2018
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Golden Rice, marking the third positive international assessment for the genetically engineered biofortified crop. Previously, Food Standards Australia, New Zealand and Health Canada gave Golden Rice the stamp of approval in February and March 2018 respectively.
CRISPR-Edited Rice Plants Produce Major Boost in Grain Yield
29 MAY 2018
A team of scientists from Purdue University and the Chinese Academy of Sciences has used CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing technology to develop a variety of rice that produces 25-31 percent more grain and would have been virtually impossible to create through traditional breeding methods.
The future of genetically modified crops in India
21 MAY 2018
Intellectual property rights in relation to plant varieties, including transgenic varieties, are the subject matter of protection under the provisions of the Protection of Plant Variety and Farmers Rights Act, decided by Indian court. It may affects the investment by private sector in GM research and future of GM crops in India.
More sustainable potato production through extended IPM for late blight
15 MAY 2018
Cultivation of cisgenic or conventionally bred, late blight resistant potato varieties in combination with pathogen population monitoring and a “do not spray unless” strategy resulted in an 80 – 90% reduction of the fungicide use as compared to current common practice. A team of scientists from Wageningen University & Research andTeagasc – the Irish Agriculture and Food Development Authority published these findings in the scientific journal European Journal of Agronomy.
USDA’s hands-off approach to gene-edited crops could revolutionize research and development
15 MAY 2018
USDA does not regulate or have any plans to regulate plants that could otherwise have been developed through traditional breeding techniques as long as they are not plant pests or developed using plant pests. The USDA’s recent decision to stay out of the business of regulating gene-edited crops could be a game changer for a sector long dominated by a handful of companies armed with massive research and development budgets.
Agricultural biotechnologies that improved safety, yields, food security in developing nations
02 MAY 2018
Genetic Literacy Project reports that agricultural biotechnologies has significant impact on food security and environmental safety developing countries including China, India and Pakistan.
Discovery of new genes in rice for abiotic stress-tolerance
25 APR 2018
A group of scientists from IRRI, the Institute of Crop Sciences of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), BGI-Shenzhen, and 13 other partner institutions, published a collaborative research that will enable scientists to discover new gene variants and characterize known genes for important traits, such as the natural ability of a particular variety to resist diseases and withstand floods, drought, and salty water. This study is recently published in Nature (doi:10.1038/s41586-018-0063-9).
Can genomics deliver climate-change ready crops?
21 APR 2018
This review summarizes how germplasm collections are utilized to identify superior alleles/haplotypes through NGS based sequencing approaches and how genomics-enabled technologies together with precise phenotyping are being used in crop breeding. Pre-breeding and genomics-assisted breeding approaches are contributing to the more efficient development of climate-resilient crops.
South Asia Biosafety Program – April newsletter
APR 2018
Relevant news about biosafety regulation and policy developments in India and Bangladesh, as well as updates about the capacity building activities through the South Asia Biosafety Program are highlighted in this newsletter.
Late-blight resistant potatoes hold promise for farmers in Uganda and beyond
12 APR 2018
Late blight disease is a major constraint for potato production, costing farmers an estimated $3-$10 billion per year globally. Scientists at the International Potato Center (CIP) decided to try genetic engineering to transfer genes that confer resistance to late blight in wild relatives of potato into potato varieties that are popular with farmers and consumers.
Plant scientists welcome the US decision to not regulate the gene edited crops
08 APR 2018
The US decision to not regulate the crops developed by gene editing method paves the way for generating genetically altered crops without major regulatory restrictions. This will also open new vistas for other countries in the world.
Resource Document on Gene Editing for Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security in Asia-Pacific Region
30 December 2023
The Resource Document on “Gene Editing for Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security in Asia-Pacific Region” is an outcome of proactive initiatives by the APAARI through the APCoAB program. The document highlights the potential contribution of gene editing in enhancing food security and provides an overview of the science behind the techniques. It emphasizes the need for policy harmonization, offering insights into existing and emerging policies while providing recommendations for enabling policies. It also presents more details on the status of gene edited plants under development and provides a rich source of reference materials and links to databases to facilitate a more comprehensive understanding of this technique.
News Source | Photo Credit: APAARI
Resurrection of Plant Breeding Innovation in the EU?
28 December 2023
The EU Proposal on certain New Genomic Techniques. WHY IT MATTERS
News Source | Photo Credit: Petra Jorasch | Seed World Europe
Genes From Wheat Improves Plant Growth of Sorghum
23 December 2023
Bioscientists from Joint BioEnergy Institute developed strains of sorghum that can grow tall, strong, and healthy with very little water.
News Source | Photo Credit: ISAAA
Australian OGTR Receives Application for Field Trial of GM Wheat and Barley
21 December 2023
The Australian Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR) has received a license application (DIR 201) from The University of Adelaide to conduct a field trial of genetically modified (GM) wheat and barley with yield enhancement.
News Source | Photo Credit: ISAAA
Market Watchers Project Bumper Harvests with GM Maize and Soybeans Approvals in China
20 December 2023
As China granted approvals for several varieties of GM maize and soybean, market experts expect a boost in yields, to impact the food market since both are staples and widely used as sources of edible oils and animal feed.
News Source | Photo Credit: ISAAA
Should we be concerned that gene-editing seeds will cascade into unpredictable changes?
19 December 2023
For tens of thousands of years, evolution shaped tomatoes through natural mutations.
News Source | Photo Credit: Anat Hendelman, David McCandlish, Luis Sandoval, Lyndsey Aguirre, Samuel Hutton, Zachary Lippman | Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory | Raana Roohanitaziani et. al.
Viewpoint: Nigeria may be running out of farmable land. Is there a biotech-based solution?
15 December 2023
Land scarcity and degradation is a huge issue in the West African region.
News Source | Photo Credit: Joel Nwankwo | Tech Economy
Viewpoint: GM crops already solving food insecurity — 37% less pesticides, 22% higher yields, and 68% greater earnings for farmers
12 December 2023
Global food shortages can be substantially cut if governments and international organisations apply extensive policy changes in favour of resource redistribution, poverty reduction, and food security.
News Source | Photo Credit: Ruhul Amin | Financial Express
Climate change means we need to get over fears about gene-editing plants
10 December 2023
Bayer CEO Bill Anderson argues that the climate crisis makes it imperative for countries to embrace gene editing in order to develop more resilient, adaptive crops.
News Source | Photo Credit: Fast Company & Inc | Peter Dazeley/Getty
Cultivating Common Ground: Plants for the Future European Technology Platform
05 December 2023
In the ever-evolving landscape of agriculture, the flow of innovation from research to the market is crucial for sustainable and thriving agricultural systems. Enter Plants for the Future ETP (Plant ETP), a multi-stakeholder platform that stands at the forefront of promoting innovation in the plant sector.
News Source | Photo Credit: Valerija Volčič | Seed World Europe
Work in the UK on genetic technologies – Enabling genetic technologies for food security
01 December 2023
The Enabling genetic technologies for food security briefing (PDF) sets out recent developments in using the GM method for crop improvement.
News Source | Photo Credit: The Royal Society
Experts Reveal Success of CRISPR in Improving Fish
30 November 2023
CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing tool has solved several problems in the agriculture sector.
News Source | Photo Credit: ISAAA
Royal Society: Evidence-led GM Crop Regulation Could Help Tackle Global Food Security and Climate Change Risks
27 November 2023
A new policy briefing from the Royal Society says that the United Kingdom needs an evidence-led and proportionate regulatory approach for genetically modified (GM) crops to realize the technology’s benefits for agriculture, the environment, and human health.
News Source | Photo Credit: ISAAA
Nanotechnology in Crop Protection: Making Sense of Advancements in Formulation Technology
18 November 2023
Pesticides are crucial for maintaining high levels of fruit, vegetable, and cereal production. Without pesticides, crop yields would significantly decrease, with fruit production decreasing by 78%, vegetable production by 54%, and cereal production by 32%.
News Source | Photo Credit: AgriBusiness Global
Genetic Tools for Conservation and Health: What’s The Role of Gene Drives?
12 November 2023
The first webinar titled Genetic Tools For Conservation and Health: What’s The Role of Gene Drives? is scheduled on November 16, 2023, 2 PM GMT+8. The registration is now open to all interested participants.
News Source | Photo Credit: ISAAA
Elevate Your Business: Exhibit at AGRITECHNICA ASIA & HORTI ASIA 2024!
11 November 2023
The 8th international trade show for horticulture and floricultural production and processing technology
News Source | Photo Credit: HORTI ASIA
These 8 GMOs tell a brief history of genetic modification
05 November 2023
The first genetically modified organism was introduced 50 years ago
News Source | Photo Credit: Darren Incorvaia | SciecneNews
Webinar Series on Biotech Innovations for a Sustainable Agriculture
04 November 2023
ISAAA Inc., in partnership with the Department of Agriculture Biotechnology Program Office (DA-BPO), Biotechnology Coalition of the Philippines, Inc. (BCP), Bureau of Animal Industry, and Corteva Agriscience, will hold a webinar series on Biotech Innovations for A Sustainable Agriculture from November 8 to 10, 2023, at 8:45 AM (GMT+8).The registration is now open to all interested participants.
News Source | Photo Credit: ISAAA
The 7th “Asia Agri-Tech Expo & Forum” to Drive Agriculture, Aquaculture & Livestock Industries Upgrading
29 October 2023
The four exhibitions will bring together exhibitors from 15 countries to showcase the latest technologies, equipment, and materials for the agricultural, aquaculture, livestock, cold chain, and processing industries.
News Source | Photo Credit: Informa Markets
Smart and Innovative Technology: Livestock Taiwan Leads Sustainable Development of Livestock Industry
27 October 2023
Livestock Taiwan will take place from November 1st to 3rd, 2023, at Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center, Hall 1, 4th floor. Concurrently, the event will host the Asia Agri-tech Expo & Forum, Aquaculture Taiwan, and Cold Chain & Agri-food Tech.
News Source | Photo Credit: Informa Markets
Report Shows Positive Growth for the Agricultural Biotechnology Market
08 October 2023
A report published by Credence Research forecasts a 6.97% growth of the agricultural biotechnology market from 2023-2030.
News Source | Photo Credit: ISAAA
Regulation of genetically edited crops in Latin American and Caribbean countries
05 October 2023
In the complex landscape of gene editing regulations, the LAC region showcases diverse approaches in the regulation of genetically edited organisms.
News Source | Photo Credit: Luiza Favarato Santos
All You Need to Know on Gene Editing in One Booklet
21 September 2023
ISAAA releases another edition of its popular publication, Biotech sQuizBox. This addition to the series of accordion-type booklet focuses on gene editing. Biotech sQuizBox: All About Gene Editing is downloadable for free on the ISAAA website
News Source | Photo Credit: ISAAA
Study Highlights Impact of GE Crops in Global Agri Output
15 September 2023
In the absence of genetically engineered crops, the world would have needed 3.4 percent more cropland to achieve the global agricultural output in 2019. This finding is according to study published in the American Economic Review: Insights.
News Source | Photo Credit: ISAAA
Knowledge Center Biotech Updates August 2, 2023 Issue Bayer Biotech Corn Launched in Indonesia; To Boost Yield by 30%
14 September 2023
Bayer Crop Science launched the herbicide tolerant biotech corn Dekalb DK95R in Banggo Village, Manggalewa District, Dompu Regency, West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia on July 26, 2023.
News Source | Photo Credit: ISAAA
The search for the super potato
08 September 2023
Scientists have assembled the genome sequences of nearly 300 varieties of potatoes and its wild relatives to develop more nutritious, disease-free, and weather-proof crop.
News Source | Photo Credit: McGill Newsroom
How gene editing can keep melons fresher for longer
31 August 2023
The gaseous plant hormone ethylene has been long known to promote fruit ripening and play a certain role in shelf-life.
News Source | Photo Credit: Hiroshi Ezura | University of Tsukuba
Countries from Global South urged to harmonize regulatory frameworks on biotechnology
30 August 2023
Global South countries have been told to harmonize their regulatory approaches for biotechnology and new breeding techniques.
News Source | Photo Credit: GODFREY OMBOGO | Alliance for Science
Gene-edited mustard: Less pungent, more useful
25 August 2023
Indian scientists have developed the first ever low-pungent mustard that is pest and disease-resistant. It is based on CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing, while being non-GM and transgene-free. Why does this hold significance for consumers and oilseed producers?
News Source | Photo Credit: Harish Damodaran | National Institute of Plant Genome Research (NIPGR). (Express photo)
Researchers Find a Gene That Could Help Cotton Combat Bacterial Blight
18 August 2023
Researchers from the International Rice Research Institute and Oklahoma State University reported a gene (B5) that could provide cotton plants with broad-spectrum resistance to bacterial blight.
News Source | Photo Credit: ISAAA
First Field Test of Stacked HT Camelina Shows Positive Results
16 August 2023
The first field trial test of stacked herbicide tolerant (HT) Camelina revealed favorable findings, according to agricultural bioscience company Yield10 Bioscience, Inc.
News Source | Photo Credit: ISAAA
Seed germination variability: why do genetically identical seeds not germinate at the same time?
11 August 2023
For survival in the natural environment, plants have evolved a ‘bet-hedging’ strategy where individual variation is high and a range of phenotypes is produced.
News Source | Photo Credit: Eshan Sharma, Manoj Majee
Foods genetically edited using CRISPR technology are beginning to hit store shelves. How are they different from GMOs?
09 August 2023
Had it been coined intentionally for the purpose of marketing fresh produce, the acronym CRISPR would have been a stroke of advertising genius.
News Source | Photo Credit: Paolo Pontoniere | Shutterstock, Pairwise
CRISPR Alters Onion for the First Time
04 August 2023
Scientists from the Directorate of Onion and Garlic Research in India and Iowa State University are reporting for the first time about the successful application of CRISPR-Cas9 to alter an onion trait.
News Source | Photo Credit: Frontiers in Plant Science | ISAAA
As of 2019, 84 percent of all GMO crop acres were in just four western hemisphere countries (the United States, Brazil, Argentina and Canada).
News Source | Photo Credit: Robert Paarlberg | China Daily | Hippopx
Could Gene Editing Create More Disease-Resistant Grape Varieties?
21 July 2023
Using gene-editing technologies like CRISPR, researchers are fighting back against one of the wine industry’s biggest problems—powdery mildew disease
News Source | Photo Credit: Danielle Beurteaux | iStock.
Genetically edited wood could make paper more sustainable
20 July 2023
CRISPR trees with less lignin could reduce energy and climate impacts of paper products
News Source | Photo Credit: ROBERT F. SERVICE | CHENMIN YANG
European Commission proposes loosening rules for gene-edited plants
13 July 2023
Bid to boost agricultural innovation faces skeptics in the European Parliament
News Source | Photo Credit: ERIK STOKSTAD | MICHAEL GOTTSCHALK/PHOTOTHEK VIA GETTY IMAGES
EU seeks to relax gene-edited crop restrictions
11 July 2023
EU executive sees proposal allowing more resilient crops
News Source | Photo Credit: Philip Blenkinsop | Reuters/Raquel Cunha/File Photo
First CRISPR-edited salad hits the U.S. market
07 July 2023
Scientists weigh in on the future of gene-edited foods.
News Source | Photo Credit: Heather Frank | WORLD NEWS GROUP
This ‘super banana’ was designed to save lives. Will it matter that it’s orange?
05 July 2023
Thousands of children die in Uganda every year from vitamin A deficiency. This groundbreaking—and vitamin-packed—genetically modified banana could change that.
News Source | Photo Credit: AGOSTINO PETRONI
Gene editing achieves consistently higher favorability in social and traditional media than GMOs
30 June 2023
While GMOs have been the subject of negative discourse over a long time period, it is possible that newer breeding technologies like gene editing are viewed more favorably.
News Source | Photo Credit: Mark Lynas, Selene Adams & Karen Stockert
Deadly mushroom poison might now have an antidote — with help from CRISPR
28 June 2023
Gene-editing technique might have finally cracked the mystery of how death cap mushrooms kill.
News Source | Photo Credit: Saima Sidik | nature
Seeds of stagnation in Bt cotton – Can newer variants impact productivity?
22 June 2023
Manufacturers said deferrals in introducing newer variants will seriously impact productivity.
News Source | Photo Credit: Sanjeeb Mukherjee | New Delhi
A guide through the genome of crops
20 June 2023
A research team led by the “Crop Yield” working group at the Institute for Molecular Physiology at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf (HHU) and the Carnegie Institution of Science at Stanford has now developed a method to identify precisely differences in genetic information related to traits relevant to breeding, such as plant height, yield and resistance to pests.
News Source | Photo Credit: The Global Plant Council
Ag-Biotech Innovator GreenVenus Achieves Breakthrough in Non-Browning Avocado Through Gene Editing
14 June 2023
GreenVenus, LLC, a biotechnology company specializing in genetic engineering for sustainable agriculture, announces a groundbreaking achievement in avocado gene editing and plant regeneration.
News Source | Photo Credit: GreenVenus, LLC
Fact: Genetically modified crops safe for the environment, farmers and the consumers
08 June 2023
Nigeria and Kenya began to allow GE crops in 2018 and 2019 respectively, ending decades of restriction.
News Source | Photo Credit: ROBERT WAGER | Alliance for Science
Will cloning disease-resistant indigenous cows rescue the milk-producing market in India?
06 June 2023
All births are special, but Ganga’s was a milestone.
News Source | Photo Credit: Siddharth Tiwari, Times of India | USDA and ARS
EU’s next food fight: regulating gene-edited crops
29 May 2023
Extreme weather caused by climate change has damaged food production across Europe.
News Source | Photo Credit: FRANCE 24 | Brigitte HAGEMANN / AFP/File
Farmer Leads Japan Biotech Crop Network to Promote GM Crops
25 May 2023
For the first time, a farmer in Japan has founded a network that is focused on the cultivation of genetically modified (GM) crops in the country. Mr. Shuichi Tokumoto, an exemplary farmer, solely founded the Japan Biotech Crop Network (JBCN).
News Source | Photo Credit: JBCN
Australia’s first genetically modified banana sent for approval
22 May 2023
Cavendish banana made to resist fungus threatening variety worldwide is seen as safety net for growers if industry wiped out.
News Source | Photo Credit: The Guardian
A CRISPR-edited calf shows virus resistance
17 May 2023
A gene-edited calf shows resistance to a common bovine virus. Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) causes gastrointestinal and respiratory symptoms as well as reproductive failure in cattle around the world.
News Source | Photo Credit: Advancement of Science (AAAS) | MICHAEL HEATON
China approves safety of first gene-edited crop
11 May 2023
China has approved the safety of a gene-edited soybean, its first approval of the technology in a crop, as the country increasingly looks to science to boost food production.
News Source | Photo Credit: REUTERS/Stringer
Safeguarding crop diversity for future generations is shared global responsibility
09 May 2023
For safeguarding crop diversity for future generations, key actions to be taken to ensure that crop diversity collections of all types are able to fulfill their role to foster more diverse, equitable, resilient, and sustainable food systems globally
News Source | Photo Credit: Hannes Dempewolf, Sarada Krishnan, and Luigi Guarino
GM mustard in India
03 May 2023
Could growing genetically modified mustard be the answer to oil shortages in India?
News Source | Photo Credit: BBC
FAO: Food Safety of Gene-Editing “Not Much Different” than Traditional Breeding Techniques
28 April 2023
FAO has released a report on food safety considerations for regulating foods derived from gene editing to help national authorities develop and implement policies and regulatory criteria for food products derived from gene editing.
News Source | Photo Credit: FAO
Non-Browning Gene-Edited Banana is Approved for Production in the Philippines
26 April 2023
Non-browning gene-edited banana cleared for production by the Philippines govt. that encourages industry to invest in innovative technologies to develop sustainable solutions for Filipino farmers.
News Source | Photo Credit: Tropic Biosciences Ltd
USDA Clears Danforth Center’s Genome Edited Teff
24 April 2023
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has concluded that teff (small grain native to Ethiopia) modified by genome editing to have a semi-dwarf stature is not subject to biotechnology regulation
News Source | Photo Credit: The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center
Field phenomics is useful for improvement in salt tolerance
21 April 2023
Novel sensing technologies are the most useful and important, providing access to key morphological and physiological traits of plant salt tolerance under field conditions.
News Source | Photo Credit: Yuncai Hu and Urs Schmidhalter
Africa can explore genetically engineered seeds to boost production, Agbiz
31 March 2023
With Africa currently struggling to meet its annual food needs, using genetically engineered (GE) or modified seeds should be an avenue to explore to boost production, says Agricultural Business Chamber (Agbiz) chief economist Wandile Sihlobo.
News Source | Photo Credit: Given Majola | Independent Online
With over 8 billion mouths to feed, it’s time to innovate
28 March 2023
Plant breeders across all seed sectors are getting innovative and creative by using every tool in their toolbox to feed the globe.
News Source | Photo Credit: Alex Martin | Seed World Media
How USDA Should Use Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing for Food and Agriculture Innovation
23 March 2023
To provide input to the federal government as USDA submits its report in March on how to use biotechnology and biomanufacturing for food and agriculture innovation, the Breakthrough Institute sent a letter to the Office of Science and Technology Policy on February 17th.
News Source | Photo Credit: The Breakthrough Institute
Gene-editing tech could save Cavendish bananas from deadly fungus threatening extinction
16 March 2023
US-based Elo Life Systems, a biotech company targeting food sustainability, is tapping into gene-editing to save Cavendish bananas from a fungus that could potentially wipe out the species.
News Source | Photo Credit: FoodIngredientsFirst.com
Ghana farmers to get GM cowpea seeds in 2024 after regulatory processes are approved
14 March 2023
Genetically modified (GM) cowpea seeds could be commercially available to Ghanaian farmers in 2024 following approval of the variety by the National Biosafety Authority in 2022.
News Source | Photo Credit: DENNIS BAFFOUR-AWUAH | Alliance for Science
How biotechnology over-regulation harms farmers, boosts food costs and fuels inflation
09 March 2023
Recent months have been hellish for many American farmers and consumers who buy the food they produce.
News Source | Photo Credit: Henry Miller | 02.2023 | Advantus Media (CC BY-ND 4.0)
Late blight, caused by Phytophthora infestans, is the most devastating disease in potato production.
News Source | Photo Credit: Jéssica Bubolza et al. | 10.2022
What foods in Canada are genetically modified?
23 February 2023
GM foods in Canada and the benefits thereof.
News Source | Photo Credit: CropLife Canada
Latin America: a biotech laboratory and world champion in GMOs and gene editing
21 February 2023
Since the commercial release of GMOs began in the mid-1990s, Latin America has been a key region in the industry.
News Source | Photo Credit: DANIEL NORERO | Alliance for Science
Agricultural biotechnology for sustainable food security
16 February 2023
Opinion: The COVID-19 pandemic and the geopolitical instability in Europe call for coordinated efforts from scientists, farmers, producers, and consumers to ensure food security. Recent progress in molecular biology and biotechnology creates hope for the future.
News Source | Photo Credit: Agata Tyczewska, Tomasz Twardowski and Ewa Woźniak-Gientka | Elsevier Inc.
7 ways CRISPR is shaping the future of food
09 February 2023
The first CRISRP’d foods are already on consumers’ plates.
News Source | Photo Credit: Kristin Houser | Freethink Media Inc.
The Future of Food – CRISPR Crops That Capture Carbon
02 February 2023
Genetically engineered plants are sprouting up to restore the carbon cycle and prevent the further buildup of carbon dioxide.
News Source | Photo Credit: Jonathan D Grinstein | Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News
2022 Biotech Milestones in Review
31 January 2023
The last year captured numerous scientific and regulatory advances in the field of modern agricultural biotechnology.
News Source | Photo Credit: Zabrina J. Bugnosen | ISAAA
‘Space seeds’: First rice seeds grown and harvested in orbit return to Earth
13 January 2023
The third batch of space science experiment samples, including the world’s first rice seedlings harvested in space, arrives with Shenzhou-14’s return capsule on December 4, 2022.
News Source | Photo Credit: Fan Anqi, Fan Wei (Global Times) | The Chinese Academy of Sciences
International rice body to seek approval for Golden Rice use in India
06 January 2023
INDIA: International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), is hoping to send proposals for approval by Indian authorities once the large-scale feeding trials data is available from the Philippines.
News Source | Photo Credit: Niharika Saila, The New Indian Express
FAO Publication: Gene editing and agrifood systems
04 January 2023
Technologies represent a promising new tool for plant and animal breeding in low- and middle- income countries.
News Source | Photo Credit: FAO
Genetically modified maize MON 95379 was developed to confer insect protection
30 December 2022
The GMO Panel concludes that maize MON 95379 is as safe as its conventional counterpart and the tested non-GM maize varieties with respect to potential effects on human and animal health and the environment.
News Source | Photo Credit: EFSA Panel on Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) et al.
Scientists are using genetically modified tobacco and lemon to develop naturally saffron-flavored rice – world’s most expensive spice
22 December 2022
Biotechnological approach can also be used on crops, such as rice, to develop crocin-rich functional food
News Source | Photo Credit: Ricki Lewis | Twitter
Onslaught of droughts and war soften EU opposition to crop gene editing
15 December 2022
Due to drought and conflict, combined with high energy costs, have driven up food prices and caused shortages in the developing world, the mood on gene editing in Europe is shifting. In September, agriculture ministers from the 27 member states urged Brussels to speed up a re-examination of GMO regulation.
News Source | Photo Credit: Andy Bounds and Emiko Terazono, Financial Times | Future Learn
Philippines Approves borer-resistant Bt eggplant for commercial cultivation
13 December 2022
Socio-economic studies conducted in the Philippines estimated that the cultivation of Bt eggplant will incur lower production costs and ultimately lead to up to three-fold higher net farm incomes due to the combined effects of significantly reduced pesticide use and increased marketable fruit yields.
News Source | Photo Credit: ISAAA | College of Agriculture and Food Science, University of the Philippines Los Baños
Precision Breeding Bill will supercharge investment in UK crop innovation
08 December 2022
New legislation to be debated by MPs in Parliament could help unlock the UK’s global leadership in plant genetic research, and encourage innovation in agriculture to address the most pressing challenges of today – developing crops that are higher yielding, more nutritious, more resilient to climate change and less reliant on pesticides or fertilizers.
News Source | Photo Credit: NIAB
Engineered duckweed could be a more sustainable source of biofuel
01 December 2022
Oil yields of duckweed are also seven times higher than those of soybeans. Unlike soybeans, however, crops of the duckweed wouldn’t take up farmland, as they’d be grown in large vessels or ponds.
News Source | Photo Credit: Ben Coxworth | Brookhaven National Laboratory
Farmer from Antique, Philippines, harvests Golden Rice for the first time
29 November 2022
The harvested rice seeds will be dried, certified, and then distributed to other farms in the province to expand Golden Rice production in the Philippines
News Source | Photo Credit: ISAAA | Province of Antique
Australia Approves Commercial Release of GM Indian Mustard
24 November 2022
Commercial release of GM Indian mustard does not require specific risk treatment measures which is considered healthy and safety for consumption and environment.
News Source | Photo Credit: ISAAA
Disease-resistant GM cassava promises to be game-changer for Kenya
22 November 2022
Modern biotechnology is by far the best option to incorporate cassava brown streak disease (CBSD) resistance in cassava cultivars carrying farmer-preferred characteristics.
News Source | Photo Credit: Joseph Maina, Cornell Alliance for Science | MIT
Researchers in Japan Identify Genes to Help Crops Against Flooding
17 November 2022
Genome editing technology can be employed to create flood-tolerant rice plants.
News Source | Photo Credit: ISAAA
GMOs and gene editing: What’s the difference?
15 November 2022
Gene edited products need not to be treated essentially as a GM product.
News Source | Photo Credit: NICHOLAS KARAVOLIAS, Alliance for Science | Agroportal
Community seed bank initiative traces & restores heritage rice varieties in Tamil Nadu
10 November 2022
Community seed banking help to conserve rice landraces for sustainable yield of rice under threats of climate changes.
News Source | Photo Credit: PIB Delhi
Self-limiting ‘Friendly’ technology offers hope for controlling fall armyworm without pesticides
08 November 2022
Genetic engineering can be employed to introduce a gene that prevents offspring of the fall-army worm surviving into adulthood, thereby dramatically reducing the population.
News Source | Photo Credit: MARK LYNAS, Alliance for Science
Food crops made 20% more efficient at harnessing sunlight
03 November 2022
Scientists have made a breakthrough in a genetic approach that improves food crops to convert sunlight energy into food with better photosynthesis.
News Source | Photo Credit: Ella Hambly BBC News Climate and Science | Getty Images
Sequestering carbon on a gigaton scale: How gene editing can address climate change by reducing atmospheric emissions
01 November 2022
Biotechnological innovations can be employed for cutting emissions thereby reducing atmospheric carbon concentrations.
News Source | Photo Credit: Val Giddings | Keith Negley
Apple’s Natural Defense Against Virus Very Similar to GM Mechanism
20 October 2022
The mechanisms of the apple rubbery wood virus (ARWV) to modify lignin in the apple tree is very similar to how scientists have been altering lignin in genetically modified trees.
News Source | Photo Credit: ISAAA
Harnessing the power of saffron color for food and future therapeutics
18 October 2022
Multigene engineering strategy could be used to establish a sustainable plant cell factory for crocin production in tissue culture of different plant species using new identified enzyme.
News Source | Photo Credit: Xiongjie Zheng (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology) | Pixabay
New GM soya beans give 25% greater yield in global food security boost
11 October 2022
The scientists modified three genes that allowed the soya bean plant to become more responsive to lower light conditions that had an average improved yield of 25% across five large trials, with one trial showing a boost of 33%.
News Source | Photo Credit: The Guardian | Fred Scheiber/AFP/Getty Images
Introducing Genome-edited Foods to the Public – Lessons from Japan
06 October 2022
It is important for the government to strive to improve the research and development strategies for building the capacity of universities to develop and implement their own business plans along with regulatory process to evaluate biotech food products on a basis of balance science-based evaluation and addressing public concerns and opinions.
News Source | Photo Credit: Zabrina J. Bugnosen | Sanatech Seed.
The role of technology in India’s nutritional security
04 October 2022
The success of genetic modification technologies lies in the formulation of supporting public policy and transparency of data obtained during safety studies and field trials as innovation can only thrive when a conducive environment is created.
News Source | Photo Credit: Shambhavi Naik | DHdeccanherald, The Printers (Mysore) Private Ltd.
Synthetic Genes Found to Modify Root Structures and Increase Plant Resiliency
16 September 2022
Using synthetic genes, researchers at Stanford University have been able to modify the root structures of plants which could make crops more efficient at gathering nutrients and water, and more resilient to increasing pressures from climate change.
News Source | Photo Credit: ISAAA
Gene-edited rice can naturally fix nitrogen in the soil, vastly reducing the need for chemical fertilizers
13 September 2022
With new genetically modified grain crops, a sustainable alternative can be created by adopting a new way of producing grain, without the large amounts of fertilizer that are normally involved in cultivation.
News Source | Photo Credit: Jeanette Kras | Scientias | Open University via Britannica
Novel Protein Vpb4Da2 Against Western Corn Rootworm Passes Food and Feed Safety Assessment
06 September 2022
The development of genetically modified (GM) crops expressing one or more proteins that confer tolerance to Western Corn Rootworm, was a historic breakthrough in agricultural biotechnology and continues to serve as an invaluable tool in pest management.
News Source | Photo Credit: ISAAA | PLOS ONE
Researchers Improve Pre-harvest Sprouting Resistance in Rice Using CRISPR-Cas9
01 September 2022
Pre-harvest sprouting can be checked by strengthening seed dormancy using gene editing technology.
News Source | Photo Credit: ISAAA | Research Square
Better seeds and biotechnology can boost Africa’s crop productivity
30 August 2022
Modern biotechnology offers a great potential to enhance agricultural productivity, food security and nutritional security and livelihoods of smallholder farmers in Africa.
News Source | Photo Credit: JOSEPH MAINA | Alliance for Science
An increasing number of countries regulate genome editing in crops
25 August 2022
It is an encouraging situation that over the past 2 years, many more countries have introduced guidelines that enable use of such edited lines in agriculture in a similar way as conventionally bred lines, provided they do not contain a transgene.
News Source | Photo Credit: Marcel Buchholzer, Wolf B. Frommer | John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Catalyzing Commercialization: Gene Editing Promises New Disease-Resistant Citrus Trees
11 August 2022
Genome editing to create new disease resistance citrus varieties, requiring low pesticides
News Source | Photo Credit: American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE)
Do only private companies conduct research on GMOs?
09 August 2022
Public institutions are also developing groundbreaking biotech innovations to mitigate food security and climate change.
News Source | Photo Credit: CropLife International
FAO Council endorses new 10-year strategies on Climate Change and on Science and Innovation
04 August 2022
“Adoption of biotechnology with enabling policies included in 10-year strategies of FAO Council to mitigate climate challenges.”, commented by Dr. Rishi, Coordinator of APAARI
News Source | Photo Credit: FAO
Opportunities for Orphan Crops: Expected Economic Benefits From Biotechnology
02 August 2022
Conducive enabling environment and increased support for adoption of biotechnology
News Source | Photo Credit: Patricia Zambrano, Ulrike Wood-Sichra, Remidius D. Ruhinduka, Dayo Phillip, Alejandro Nin Pratt, John Komen, Enoch Mutebi Kikulwe, José Falck Zepeda, Fred M. Dzanku and Judith A. Chambers
This CRISPR pioneer wants to capture more carbon with crops
28 July 2022
New research at Jennifer Doudna’s institute aims to create faster-growing, carbon-hungry plants using the gene-editing tool.
News Source | Photo Credit: Casey Crownhart | Innovative Genomics Institute
How genetic engineering is creating more nutritious, healthier food and protecting crops from ravaging diseases
News Source | Photo Credit: Steven Cerier | GENETIC LITERACY PROJECT
A hybrid inorganic–biological artificial photosynthesis system for energy-efficient food production
19 July 2022
Research Article: A hybrid inorganic–biological artificial photosynthesis system for energy-efficient food production
News Source | Photo Credit: Elizabeth C. Hann, Sean Overa, Marcus Harland-Dunaway, Andrés F. Narvaez, Dang N. Le, Martha L. Orozco-Cárdenas, Feng Jiao & Robert E. Jinkerson
US intelligence report predicts greater global role for biotechnology
12 July 2022
US intelligence report predicts greater global role for biotechnology
News Source | Photo Credit: Joseph Opoku Gakpo | Alliance for Science
Kenyan Gov’t Gives Nod to Use of Bt Cottonseed Cake for Animal Feeds
07 July 2022
Kenyan Gov’t Gives Nod to Use of Bt Cottonseed Cake for Animal Feeds
News Source | Photo Credit: ISAAA
Ease regulatory burden to support ‘new revolution’ in crop breeding, researchers urge
30 June 2022
Ease regulatory burden to support ‘new revolution’ in crop breeding, researchers urge
News Source | Photo Credit: Joan Conrow | Alliance for Science
Genetic Variation and Unintended Risk in the Context of Old and New Breeding Techniques
28 June 2022
Genetic Variation and Unintended Risk in the Context of Old and New Breeding Techniques
News Source | Photo Credit: Stacy D. Singer, John D. Laurie, Andriy Bilichak, Santosh Kumar & Jaswinder Singh
Britain is paving the way for gene-edited food – will the public stomach it?
23 June 2022
Britain is paving the way for gene-edited food – will the public stomach it?
News Source | Photo Credit: CGIAR
Where GMO crops are grown around the world?
16 June 2022
See an infographic from ISAAA provides some top highlights. (2019)
News Source | Photo Credit: ISAAA
Our seeds could start the next Green Revolution
14 June 2022
Our seeds could start the next Green Revolution
News Source | Photo Credit: JOHN AGABA | Alliance for Science
New Zealand Farmer on the GMO Moratorium’s Impact on Sustainable Food and Agriculture, and Hopes CRISPR Crops Won’t Face the Same Fate.
News Source | Photo Credit: GLP | Global Farmer Network
Golden Rice rolling out in 7 provinces
31 May 2022
Golden Rice rolling out in 7 provinces
News Source | Photo Credit: Jordeene B. Lagare on Philippine Daily Inquirer | IRRI
DAWN OF A NEW ERA
26 May 2022
“With new regulations governing genome edited field trials in England coming into effect – mean that genome edited field trials will now no longer have to be run under GM regulations.”, commented by Dr. Rishi, Coordinator of APAARI
News Source | Photo Credit: Rothamsted Research
Egypt considers planting genetically-modified seeds due to high prices of grain: Lawmaker
24 May 2022
Egypt considers planting genetically-modified seeds due to high prices of grain: Lawmaker
News Source | Photo Credit: Samar Samir | peakpx
Gene-edited cows just secured record-fast FDA approval – here’s why
19 May 2022
Gene-edited cows just secured record-fast FDA approval – here’s why
News Source | Photo Credit: JENNA GALLEGOS | Alliance for Science
Latest Developments in Genome Editing Regulation
17 May 2022
Latest Developments in Genome Editing Regulation
News Source | Photo Credit: Kristine Grace N. Tome | ISAAA
Enlisting wild grass genes to combat nitrification in wheat farming: A nature-based solution
10 May 2022
Research article: Enlisting wild grass genes to combat nitrification in wheat farming: A nature-based solution
News Source | Photo Credit: Guntur V. Subbarao et al. (2021)
The World’s First Genetically Engineered Wheat Is Here
03 May 2022
Argentina approved the world’s first genetically engineered wheat for cultivation and consumption. Production expanded dramatically in 2021.
News Source | Photo Credit: The Breakthrough Institute
Exemption of the genome edited plants falling under categories of SDN1 and SDN2 from the provisions the Rules, 1989
26 April 2022
“Government of India issued an Office Memorandum for ‘Exemption of the genome edited plants falling under categories of SDN1 and SDN2 from the provisions the Rules, 1989’ i.e., not to be considered as GM plants. Good news not only for India but for whole Asia Pacific.”, commented by Dr. Rishi, Coordinator of APAARI
News Source | Photo Credit: Department of Biotechnology India
Infographic – Gene editing FAQ
19 April 2022
Infographic – Gene editing FAQ
News Source | Photo Credit: Cornell Alliance for Science | Columbia
Philippine Government Updates Biotech Regulations to Speed Up Approvals
14 April 2022
Philippine Government Updates Biotech Regulations to Speed Up Approvals
News Source | Photo Credit: ISAAA
New Zealand scientist challenges ‘scaremongering’ about herbicide glyphosate
05 April 2022
New Zealand scientist challenges ‘scaremongering’ about herbicide glyphosate
News Source | Photo Credit: Jacqueline Rowarth | New Zealand Institute of Agricultural & Horticultural Science | Global Justice Now
Gene-edited wheat resists dreaded fungus without pesticides
31 March 2022
”New strain survives powdery mildew, a costly disease, without side effects.”, ERIK STOKSTAD
News Source | Photo Credit: ERIK STOKSTAD | AAAS
South Africa should rethink regulations on genetically modified plants
29 March 2022
South Africa should rethink regulations on genetically modified plants
News Source | Photo Credit: The Conversation | Shutterstock
Linseed oil has extraordinary health benefits and well-established industrial uses
22 March 2022
“How do we identify the best line for a specific purpose? ICAR-NBPGR researchers characterize the entire #genebank collection in one go!”, ICAR-NBPGR
News Source | Photo Credit: ICAR-NBPGR
Massive production of ‘Golden Rice’ seeds to start this year
21 March 2022
To utilize & promote biotechnology in the country, the Department of Agriculture (DA) on Wednesday said this year marks the start of massive production of Golden Rice seeds, particularly in the vitamin A-deficient provinces – DA Secretary, The Philippines
News Source | Photo Credit: Christine Cudis | IRRI
What does GMO mean?
15 March 2022
“As the term “bioengineered” becomes more common in the #UnitedStates thanks to the labeling law, let’s talk about some of the terms used for genetically modified organisms.”, GMOAnswers
News Source | Photo Credit: GMOAnswers
A CRISPR way for accelerating improvement of food crops
10 March 2022
“CRISPR technology will accelerate the breeding of food crops beyond what was imaginable before its development. Excellent review on CRISPR technology.”, commented by Dr. Rishi, Coordinator of APAARI
News Source | Photo Credit: Yi Zhang, Mathias Pribil, Michael Palmgren & Caixia Gao | nature
China to allow gene-edited crops in push for food security
08 March 2022
“Great development to embrace modern plant breeding techniques.”, commented by Dr. Rishi, Coordinator of APAARI
News Source | Photo Credit: Dominique Patton | A farmer plants seeds in a corn field at a farm in Gaocheng, Hebei province, China, September 30, 2015. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon
World’s first CRISPR-edited sugarcane developed in Brazil
03 March 2022
World’s first CRISPR-edited sugarcane developed in Brazil
News Source | Photo Credit: Daniel Azevedo| Embrapa
Myths and misleading claims about fertilizers and pesticides lead to GMO fear mongering
01 March 2022
Myths and misleading claims about fertilizers and pesticides lead to GMO fear mongering
News Source | Photo Credit: VICTOR M. SHORROCKS | Alliance for Science
Genetic editing in livestock faces strong headwinds
15 February 2022
“Regulations on gene editing of animals are contributing to negative public perceptions of the technology and stifling innovation in the livestock sector”, according to Alison Van Eenennaam
News Source | Photo Credit: Matt McIntosh’s article on Farmtario | Alison Van Eenennaam
Should genetically modified organisms be part of our conservation efforts?
10 February 2022
Should genetically modified organisms be part of our conservation efforts?
News Source | Photo Credit: FERN WICKSON | Alliance For Science
Egyptian Scientists Develop Drought-Tolerant Tomatoes
08 February 2022
Egyptian Scientists Develop Drought-Tolerant Tomatoes
News Source | Photo Credit: ISAAA
Gene editing legislation to focus on crops – UK minister
03 February 2022
Gene editing legislation to focus on crops – UK minister
News Source | Photo Credit: Nigel Hunt | REUTERS
Nutritionally charged lettuce developed with CRISPR/Cas gene editing tech
01 February 2022
“A scientist in Israel is ‘tricking’ lettuce into producing nutrients in higher quantities thanks to gene editing technology CRISPR/Cas.”, FoodNavigator hears how.
News Source | Photo Credit: Flora Southey | Getty
ORIGINAL RESEARCH article: De novo Whole-Genome Assembly of Moringa oleifera Helps Identify Genes Regulating Drought Stress Tolerance
25 January 2022
De novo Whole-Genome Assembly of Moringa oleifera Helps Identify Genes Regulating Drought Stress Tolerance
News Source | Photo Credit: P Sushree Shyamli, Seema Pradhan, Mitrabinda Panda and Ajay Parida
Foods made from gene-edited wheat may contain lower levels of potentially carcinogenic chemical acrylamide
20 January 2022
Foods made from gene-edited wheat may contain lower levels of potentially carcinogenic chemical acrylamide
News Source | Photo Credit: Robert Arnason | Western Producer | 123rf
Ghana resumes approval process for insect-resistant cowpea, its first GMO crop
13 January 2022
Ghana resumes approval process for insect-resistant cowpea, its first GMO crop
News Source | Photo Credit: JOSEPH OPOKU GAKPO | Alliance for Science
A COVID vaccine grown in plants measures up
11 January 2022
A COVID vaccine grown in plants measures up
News Source | Photo Credit: Steve Russell/Toronto Star via Getty Images
Black rice cultivation brings hope to Assam’s tribal farmers
06 January 2022
Black rice cultivation brings hope to Assam’s tribal farmers
News Source | Photo Credit: Kangkan Kalita | The Times of India
Crop Wild Relatives: Pre-breeding
04 January 2022
“What does #prebreeding mean? It’s a bridge between #genebanks and breeders. The best traits of different crop varieties are combined and introduced back into our cultivated crops.”, The Crop Trust
News Source | Photo Credit: The Crop Trust
A Meta-Analysis of the Impacts of Genetically Modified Crops
30 December 2021
A Meta-Analysis of the Impacts of Genetically Modified Crops
News Source | Photo Credit: Wilhelm Klümper and Matin Qaim
Viewpoint: Will China Make Its Peace With GMOs?
28 December 2021
Viewpoint: Will China Make Its Peace With GMOs?
News Source | Photo Credit: Adam Minter | Brent Stirton/Getty
Removing the major allergen Bra j I from brown mustard (Brassica juncea) by CRISPR/Cas9
24 December 2021
“CRISPER/Cas9 can help to make food still safer than its natural form by removing allergenic determinants, e. g. allergen-free Bra j I from brown mustard (Brassica juncea)”, commented by Dr. Rishi, Coordinator of APAARI
News Source | Photo Credit: Juvenal Assou, Dingbo Zhang, Kristian D. R. Roth, Stephan Steinke, Michael Hust, Thomas Reinard, Traud Winkelmann, Jens Boch
Harnessing Crop Wild Diversity for Climate Change Adaptation
21 December 2021
“Genomic prediction, machine learning, and multi-trait gene editing, all offer innovative alternatives to speed up more accurate pre- and breeding efforts toward the increase in crop adaptability and yield.”, commented by Dr. Rishi, Coordinator of APAARI
News Source | Photo Credit: Andrés J. Cortés and Felipe López-Hernández
GMO bean benefits Brazil’s consumers and smallholder farmers
16 December 2021
GMO bean benefits Brazil’s consumers and smallholder farmers
News Source | Photo Credit: Luis Ventura, Cornell Alliance for Science | Cultivatr
Do you know where GMO crops are grown?
14 December 2021
Do you know where GMO crops are grown?
News Source | Photo Credit: ISAAA
Viewpoint – Animal genetic selection will likely be embraced by public – but gene editing could face resistance from activist GMO opponents
09 December 2021
Viewpoint – Animal genetic selection will likely be embraced by public – but gene editing could face resistance from activist GMO opponents
News Source | Photo Credit: Alison Van Eenennaam | Pew Research and GloFish
Waive CRISPR patents to meet food needs in low-income countries
26 November 2021
Waiver of CRISPR patents coupled with enabling policies gene editing can be proven as game changer for contributing significantly towards food security in developing countries and LDCs.
News Source | Photo Credit: John van der Oost & Louise O. Fresco | nature
New rules will make UK gene-edited crop research easier
23 November 2021
“Good news – United Kingdom plans to ease requirements for field research on gene-edited crops. EU policies on gene editing needs to be reviewed urgently to reduce the unfounded fear on account of biosafety among public.”, commented by Dr. Rishi, Coordinator of APAARI
News Source | Photo Credit: Heidi Ledford | Fred Scheiber/AFP/Getty
How scientists beat back anti-biotechnology activists’ ‘insidious campaign’ to block Nigeria’s approval of pest-resistant GMO cowpea
19 November 2021
“In Nigeria, GM cowpea was helped by enabling policies and also grass-roots science movement led by the @OFABnigeria, a team of scientists and regulators met the anti-GM campaigners with a robust counter-offensive to succeed.”, commented by Dr. Rishi, Coordinator of APAARI
News Source | Photo Credit: Elizabeth Finkel | Gary Kazanjian/AP
UN Food Systems Summit: Biotechnology key to meeting zero hunger goals
16 November 2021
UN Food Systems Summit: Biotechnology key to meeting zero hunger goals
News Source | Photo Credit: Joseph Opoku Gakpo | Alliance for Science
The effect of persuasive/possessing information regarding GMOs on consumer attitudes
12 November 2021
The effect of persuasive/possessing information regarding GMOs on consumer attitudes
News Source | Photo Credit: John Stanton, Golnaz Rezai, Stephen Baglione
Kenya opens the door to GMO cultivation
05 November 2021
“African countries are embracing all innovations and technologies to make the continent food-secure. It is not understandable why Asian countries are shying away to adopt these technologies when food insecurity issue is almost similar!”, commented by Dr. Rishi, Coordinator of APAARI
News Source | Photo Credit: Steven Cerier | ICRISAT
Efficient Targeted Mutagenesis in Apple and First Time Edition of Pear Using the CRISPR-Cas9 System
02 November 2021
Efficient Targeted Mutagenesis in Apple and First Time Edition of Pear Using the CRISPR-Cas9 System
News Source | Photo Credit: Aurélie Charrier, Emilie Vergne, Nicolas Dousset, Andréa Richer, Aurélien Petiteau and Elisabeth Chevreau
New study: GMO crops reduce pesticide use, greenhouse gas emissions
19 October 2021
New study: GMO crops reduce pesticide use, greenhouse gas emissions
News Source | Photo Credit: Joan Conrow | Alliance for Science
Top 5 GMO crops grown around the world
13 October 2021
Top 5 GMO crops grown around the world
News Source | Photo Credit: ISAAA
GLP Podcast: ‘Big Fears, Little Risks’ — Documentary featuring GLP experts tackles GMO, vaccine skepticism
06 October 2021
GLP Podcast: ‘Big Fears, Little Risks’ — Documentary featuring GLP experts tackles GMO, vaccine skepticism
News Source | Photo Credit: Azel James, Cameron English, Matty Cardarople | GLP
Genome editing poised to secure global food supply, study finds
29 September 2021
Genome editing poised to secure global food supply, study finds
News Source | Photo Credit: Joan Conrow | Cornell Alliance for Science | 123rf
NTUsg scientists invent ‘greener’ way to make fertiliser compound
21 September 2021
NTUsg scientists invent ‘greener’ way to make fertiliser compound
News Source | Photo Credit: NTU Singapore
What to call seafood made from fish cells?
14 September 2021
What to call seafood made from fish cells?
News Source | Photo Credit: Rutgers University
Millet consumption survey provides largest baseline for India
02 September 2021
“An indication of how social media influences our dietary choices: A 7-city survey on millet consumption in India shows that >50% respondents listed #socialmedia as the source of awareness for consuming millets.”, ICRISAT
News Source | Photo Credit: ICRISAT
UK Report Compares EU Approaches on Food Safety Regulation of Novel Foods and GMOs with Other Countries
31 August 2021
UK Report Compares EU Approaches on Food Safety Regulation of Novel Foods and GMOs with Other Countries
News Source | Photo Credit: ISAAA
“Government of India has relaxed the rules for import of crushed and de-oiled GM soya cake (Non-living organism only). This is going to benefit the farmers, poultry farmers and fishermen in a big way.”, commented by Dr. Rishi, Coordinator of APAARI
News Source | Photo Credit: Press Information Bureau, Government of India
ICRISAT’s Medium-Term Plan 2021-23 all set to operationalize the Strategic Plan
19 August 2021
“We continue to strive harder than before in our effort to empower our most important stakeholders: the #smallholder farmers of the #drylands. Our Medium Term Plan (2021-23) outlines the steps of this journey forward.”, ICRISAT
News Source | Photo Credit: ICRISAT
Farmers’ Rights and Digital Sequence Information: Crisis or Opportunity to Reclaim Stewardship Over Agrobiodiversity?
17 August 2021
POLICY AND PRACTICE REVIEWS article
News Source | Photo Credit: Rachel Wynberg, Regine Andersen, Sarah Laird, Kudzai Kusena, Christian Prip and Ola Tveitereid Westengen
Drought tolerant, disease resistant GMO corn that produces 3 times the yield of conventional or organic? It’s a reality in a Nigerian trial
News Source | Photo Credit: African Agricultural Technology Foundation | FarmGate Africa
Clashing visions of Mexico’s GMO corn ban cloud impact
06 August 2021
Mexican government is confused whether to permit or prohibit the GM maize
News Source | Photo Credit: David Alire Garcia | REUTERS
How (GM) technology can support regenerative agriculture?
04 August 2021
How (GM) technology can support regenerative agriculture?
News Source | Photo Credit: RealAgriculture
When a Crop Goes Back to the Wild: Feralization
02 August 2021
When a Crop Goes Back to the Wild: Feralization
News Source | Photo Credit: Federico Scossa and Alisdair R. Fernie
“Global Status of Commercialized Biotech/GM Crops:2019”, ISAAA
26 July 2021
“Global Status of Commercialized Biotech/GM Crops:2019”, ISAAA
News Source | Photo Credit: ISAAA
“Use of #CWR in crop improvement is imperative to develop climate resilient and stress resistant varieties. About 60% genes of plants (sporophyte) are expressed in pollen (gametophyte), therefore, availability of adequately viable pollen for pre-breeding is imperative.”, commented by Dr. Rishi, Coordinator of APAARI
News Source | Photo Credit: Cryoletters
The “slow magic” of agricultural research must accelerate
21 July 2021
The “slow magic” of agricultural research must accelerate
News Source | Photo Credit: Dr RS Paroda; Rita Sharma | Photo courtesy of Dr Paroda report
“Over-regulation due to unnecessary bureaucracy or self-interest or just scientific ignorance, researchers are demotivated to apply innovations to develop new varieties, here is the case of Petunia.”, commented by Dr. Rishi, Coordinator of APAARI
News Source | Photo Credit: Henry Miller | Society of American Florists
Bt Cotton adoption in Punjab has resulted in net economic, environmental benefits: Study
16 July 2021
Bt Cotton adoption in Punjab has resulted in net economic, environmental benefits: Study
News Source | Photo Credit: Vikas Vasudeva | Reuters
Research Article: Engineering broad-spectrum disease-resistant rice by editing multiple susceptibility genes
14 July 2021
Research Article: Engineering broad-spectrum disease-resistant rice by editing multiple susceptibility genes
News Source | Photo Credit: Hui Tao, Xuetao Shi, Feng He, Dan Wang, Ning Xiao, Hong Fang, Ruyi Wang, Fan Zhang, Min Wang, Aihong Li, Xionglun Liu, Guo-Liang Wang, Yuese Ning
Viewpoint: Genome editing helps African researchers develop disease-resistant banana varieties
12 July 2021
“Roots, tubers and #bananas, enhance food system resilience, are strategic crops to support rural livelihoods in challenging climate and environmental conditions. #GenomeEditing helps to develop #disease-resistant banana varieties.”, commented by Dr. Rishi, Coordinator of APAARI
News Source | Photo Credit: Verenardo Meemem, Cornell Alliance for Science | Mike Kuhn/Queensland University of Technology
Genome editing for resistance against plant pests and pathogens
09 July 2021
Genome editing for resistance against plant pests and pathogens
News Source | Photo Credit: Cláudia Rato, Miguel F. Carvalho, Cristina Azevedo, Paula Rodrigues Oblessuc
Dole China and Syngenta to Release 2 Disney-Branded Tomato Varieties
07 July 2021
Dole China and Syngenta to Release 2 Disney-Branded Tomato Varieties
News Source | Photo Credit: PRODUCE REPORT | Dole China
Study Finds Gene Editing in Cattle Produces No Off-Target Mutagenesis
05 July 2021
Study Finds Gene Editing in Cattle Produces No Off-Target Mutagenesis
News Source | Photo Credit: ISAAA
PACTs Fellowships for Least Developed Countries – Call open
02 July 2021
PACTs Fellowships for Least Developed Countries – Call open.
News Source | Photo Credit: ICGEB Official
Viewpoint: They offer a magical vision of a better future but not in this world’: In Foreign Policy, social scientists opposed to conventional agriculture spark fierce organic vs intensive farming debate
News Source | Photo Credit: Dan Blaustein-Rejto, Matthew Sanderson, Stan Cox, Ted Nordhaus | Foreign Policy
Practical consequences of digital sequence information (DSI) definitions and access and benefit-sharing scenarios from a plant genebank’s perspective
News Source | Photo Credit: Martin Brink, Theo van Hintum
The international political process around Digital Sequence Information under the Convention on Biological Diversity and the 2018–2020 intersessional period
News Source | Photo Credit: Fabian Rohden, Amber Hartman Scholz
Viewpoint: GM fish food deal brings sustainable salmon a step closer to commercialization
21 June 2021
Viewpoint: GM fish food deal brings sustainable salmon a step closer to commercialization
News Source | Photo Credit: Mark Lynas, Cornell Alliance for Science | Camelina. Credit: Scott Chalmers, WADO)
Global status of commercialized biotech/GM Crops: 2019
16 June 2021
“Did you know that 72 countries (on every continent except Antarctica) have adopted biotech crops since 1996, the first year of commercial planting? And biotech crops help food security, sustainability, and climate change mitigation? Learn more below @isaaa_org @ISAAASciSpeaks.”, CropLife International
News Source | Photo Credit: ISAAA
Systems biology for crop improvement
14 June 2021
“Our latest paper together w/ partners proposes a strategic #SystemsBiology approach & integration of #multiomics #data for a holistic & better understanding of the dynamic biological system, towards accelerated crop improvement.”, Center of Excellence in Genomics & Systems Biology, ICRISAT
News Source | Photo Credit: Lekha T. Pazhamala, Himabindu Kudapa, Wolfram Weckwerth, A. Harvey Millar, Rajeev K. Varshney
Europe is reviewing its stance on CRISPR crops
11 June 2021
Europe is reviewing its stance on CRISPR crops
News Source | Photo Credit: Joan Conrow | Alliance for Science
How to breed a climate resilient sunflower?
09 June 2021
Look to its ancient cousins
News Source | Photo Credit: Sarah Gibbens | Sunflowers bloom in July 2020 on a field in Germany. In September and October, the sunflowers are harvested and oil is pressed from the seeds. Photograph by Jens Büttner picture alliance/Getty Images
Designing Future Crops: Genomics-Assisted Breeding Comes of Age
07 June 2021
Want to know about GAB2.0? here it is. We published about #Genomics_Assisted_Breeding (GAB) 15 years back in 10th Anniversary Issue, and now we document success stories of GAB and way forward for GAB as GAB2.0 in 25th Anniversary Issue of @TrendsPlantSci.”, Rajeev Varshney, Research Program Director of ICRISAT
News Source | Photo Credit: Rajeev K.Varshney, Abhishek Bohra, Jianming Yu, Andreas Graner, Qifa Zhang, Mark E. Sorrells
Conducive regulations can boost gene edited products
03 June 2021
Conducive regulations can boost gene edited products
News Source | Photo Credit: Y V Phani Raj | Telangana Today
Frequently asked questions – Genetically Engineered Plants and Biosafety
27 May 2021
What you want to know all about genetically engineered plants and biosafety related questions- read here
News Source | Photo Credit: South Asia Biosafety Program
Multiple Statistical Analyses Show Compositional Equivalence of Bt and non-Bt Rice Varieties
26 May 2021
Multiple Statistical Analyses Show Compositional Equivalence of Bt and non-Bt Rice Varieties
News Source | Photo Credit: Seon-Woo Oh, Eun-Ha Kim, So-Young Lee, Da-Young Baek, Sang-Gu Lee, Hyeon-Jung Kang, Young-Soo Chung, Soon-Ki Park & Tae-Hun Ryu
Gene discovery may help peaches tolerate climate stress
25 May 2021
Gene discovery may help peaches tolerate climate stress
News Source | Photo Credit: Michael J. Haas | A behmi tree (Prunus mira), which is a wild relative of the domesticated peach, grows in its native habitat next to a glacier on the Tibetan Plateau. Image credit: Yong Li, Zhengzhou Fruit Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences.
CGIAR Germplasm Health Units in the Prevention of Transboundary Pests
21 May 2021
Click the link for more information: https://youtu.be/eahlLa1dyTk
News Source | Photo Credit: International Potato Center (CIP)
Revamp of UK CRISPR regulation will require public trust
17 May 2021
Revamp of UK CRISPR regulation will require public trust
News Source | Photo Credit: EDITORIAL of nature
Sanatech Seed launches world’s first GE tomato
10 May 2021
“(Japanese) Sanatech Seed launches world’s first tomato developed using gene editing – a new plant breeding technique.”, commented by Dr. Rishi, Coordinator of APAARI
News Source | Photo Credit: fruitnet.com
The International Canola Pan-genome Consortium, an international group of leading academic and commercial companies from the USA, Canada, Europe, and Israel has announced the successful completion of the canola/rapeseed pan-genome
News Source | Photo Credit: University of Saskatchewan| Canola plant. (Photo: Shea Long, Coastal Lifestyles Photography)
What are TALENs and How are TALENs different from CRISPRs?
05 May 2021
“New ISAAA infographic illustrates #TALENs, how they are different from #CRISPR, how they help improve crops, and how to gain access to the technology. Download here: http://bit.ly/TALENsInfog”, ISAAA
News Source | Photo Credit: ISAAA
New Book Explores Global Attitudes to GM Crops and Unravels Reasons Behind Negative Sentiments
03 May 2021
New Book Explores Global Attitudes to GM Crops and Unravels Reasons Behind Negative Sentiments
News Source | Photo Credit: Clement Dionglay | ISAAA
Advanced domestication: harnessing the precision of gene editing in crop breeding
30 April 2021
Advanced domestication: harnessing the precision of gene editing in crop breeding
News Source | Photo Credit: Wendy J. Lyzenga, Curtis J. Pozniak and Sateesh Kagale
Turkey Approves Five Biotech Traits
29 April 2021
Turkey Approves Five Biotech Traits
News Source | Photo Credit: ISAAA
The role of scientists in policy making for more sustainable agriculture
23 April 2021
The role of scientists in policy making for more sustainable agriculture
News Source | Photo Credit: OanaDima and DirkInzé
Indonesian Scientists Identify Novel Gene To Develop Aluminum-Tolerant Rice
21 April 2021
Indonesian Scientists Identify Novel Gene To Develop Aluminum-Tolerant Rice. Check the paper here.
News Source | Photo Credit: ISAAA
Foods made from gene-edited wheat may contain lower levels of potentially carcinogenic chemical acrylamide
19 April 2021
Foods made from gene-edited wheat may contain lower levels of potentially carcinogenic chemical acrylamide
News Source | Photo Credit: Robert Arnason | Western Producer | 123rf
Global Regulation of Genetically Modified Crops Amid the Gene Edited Crop Boom – A Review
16 April 2021
“Regulations on GM crops are highly varied across the globe. Strict legislation with rigorous scientific assessments is more in keeping with societal values, but too onerous approaches negate the development of scientific expertise & knowledge sharing.”, Channa Prakash, AgBioWorld
News Source | Photo Credit: Crystal Turnbull, Morten Lillemo and Trine A. K. Hvoslef-Eide*
How Queensland scientists are saving banana crops from wipe out
14 April 2021
How scientists are working to save banana from Panama disease. Science provides solution.
News Source | Photo Credit: 7NEWS Australia
Viewpoint: Gene-edited crops may be coming to Europe—if scientists can avoid the PR mistakes of the GMO debate
12 April 2021
Viewpoint: Gene-edited crops may be coming to Europe—if scientists can avoid the PR mistakes of the GMO debate
News Source | Photo Credit: Jonathan Menary, Sebastian Fuller
Developing Countries Outperform Industrial Countries in GM Crop Adoption
07 April 2021
“Brazil, India, and Argentina led developing countries in planting #biotechcrops in 2019. Read details in #CropBiotechUpdate: https://bit.ly/3cYHlld”, ISAAA
News Source | Photo Credit: ISAAA
Will Ethiopia be a springboard or a stonewall for GM crops in Africa?
05 April 2021
“Ethiopia Is key player for GM crops in Africa, enabling policies play key role in adoption of technology.”, commented by Dr. Rishi, Coordinator of APAARI @aatfafrica @agbiotech @Agbio_GE @ICGEB @GMOinfoEU @GMOAnswers
News Source | Photo Credit: Tesfaye (Shiferaw) Sida (International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), Sustainable Intensification Program (SIP), CIMMYT-Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia)
More Transparency Recommended for Gene-Edited Crops
02 April 2021
More Transparency Recommended for Gene-Edited Crops
News Source | Photo Credit: The Global Plant Council (GPC)
Viewpoint: CRISPR crops offer many benefits. Governments should teach the public about them
26 March 2021
Viewpoint: CRISPR crops offer many benefits. Governments should teach the public about them.
News Source | Photo Source: Yomiuri Shimbun and Ratuken Infoseek
Regulatory Harmonization
24 March 2021
“Regulatory harmonization for GM crops is a win-win situation for regulators, Developers, Farmers and consumers.”, commented by Dr. Rishi, Coordinator of APAARI
News Source | Photo Source: CropLife International
ISAAA Brief 55, the full report on global adoption of biotech/GM crops in 2019 is now available!
22 March 2021
Get an e-copy for US$50 at http://bit.ly/BuyISAAAB55
News Source | Photo Source: ISAAA
Biofortified Staple Crops: Empowering Smallholder Farmers to be Food System Change Agents
17 March 2021
Biofortified Staple Crops: Empowering Smallholder Farmers to be Food System Change Agents
News Source | Photo Source: FARMING FIRST | HarvestPlus (Biofortified crops are ready for rapid scale-up writes the author – here we see a farm of biofortified beans.)
3 pioneering African nations embrace gene editing to boost food security, farmer incomes
15 March 2021
3 pioneering African nations embrace gene editing to boost food security, farmer incomes
News Source | Photo Source: Verenardo Meeme | Cornell Alliance for Science | Nkechi Isaac (Cowpeas for sale in a Nigerian market.)
Here’s everything you need to know about USDA’s National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard
12 March 2021
Here’s everything you need to know about USDA’s National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard
News Source | Photo Source: GMO Anwsers
USDA APHIS Deregulates Genetically Engineered Orange Petunias
09 March 2021
USDA APHIS Deregulates Genetically Engineered Orange Petunias
News Source | Photo Source: ISAAA | USDA APHIS
European Commission Authorizes Eight GM Crops for Food and Feed
05 March 2021
“European Commission authorized to import #GM soybean & maize for food & feed, unfortunately, does not authorize cultivation! – injustice to EU farmers & consumers for not harvesting the benefits of #technology.”, commented by Dr. Rishi, Coordinator of APAARI
News source and Credit: ISAAA
Genetically engineered, blight-resistant potato could help East Africa beat hunger and move towards food self-sufficiency
26 February 2021
“Genetically engineered, blight-resistant potato could help East Africa beat hunger and move towards food self-sufficiency.”, Tadessa Daba
News source and Credit: Tadessa Daba
USDA APHIS Deregulates GE Insect Resistant Cotton
24 February 2021
USDA APHIS Deregulates GE Insect Resistant Cotton
News source and Credit: ISAAA
Biotech crops provide a better environment
19 February 2021
“#Biotechcrops provide a better environment. Crop Biotechnology helped decrease the use of crop protection products by 776 million kgs, a global reduction of 8.6% in 1996-2018. Visit ISAAA Brief 55 page for more details: https://bit.ly/ISAAABrief55.”, ISAAA
News source and Credit: ISAAA
CRISPR gene editing could boost protein in plants and help produce more vegetable oil
12 February 2021
CRISPR gene editing could boost protein in plants and help produce more vegetable oil
News source and Credit: ISAAA
France backs non-GMO regulation for crop gene-editing in EU
09 February 2021
“Positive development in Europe… UK, Norway and now France may allow scientifically proven safe products of NBTs. Since GMOs are also products of a method of plant breeding – EU needs to review it’s regulation policies.”, commented by Dr. Rishi, Coordinator of APAARI
Credit: REUTERS/Charles Platiau/File Photo
Stop Arguing over GMO Crops
04 February 2021
The vast majority of the scientific community agrees on both their safety and their potential to help feed the world sustainably
Genetically modified rice. Credit: Getty Images
GE animals: While the federal government delays approvals, antibiotic use, animal suffering and food prices increase
03 February 2021
GE animals: While the federal government delays approvals, antibiotic use, animal suffering and food prices increase
Golden Rice could fight deadly vitamin A deficiency now. Why do farmers have to wait another 3 years to grow it?
02 February 2021
Golden Rice could fight deadly vitamin A deficiency now. Why do farmers have to wait another 3 years to grow it?
Europe’s blanket opposition to gene editing, pesticides means higher food prices for world’s poorest people
22 January 2021
Europe’s blanket opposition to gene editing, pesticides means higher food prices for world’s poorest people
Where are GMO crops and animals approved and banned?
15 January 2021
Where are GMO crops and animals approved and banned?
Singapore’s approval for lab-grown chicken is a watershed moment for the future of meat
08 January 2021
Singapore’s approval for lab-grown chicken is a watershed moment for the future of meat
GM banana could help Uganda’s farmers battle bacterial wilt, but the country needs a biosafety law first
29 December 2020
GM banana could help Uganda’s farmers battle bacterial wilt, but the country needs a biosafety law first.
Photo Credit: Clare Thatcher