Mohamed Hassan, president of the African Academy of Sciences and executive director of the Third World Academy, explains that Africa's most serious problems (e.g., malnutrition, disease, and environmental degradation) cannot be overcome without the work of African scientists. Hassan asserts, "Science alone cannot save Africa, but Africa without science cannot be saved." In order to revive African science, the author asks for national and regional centers such as the Immunology Biotechnology Laboratories in Cameroon, the African Centre for Meteorological Applications in Niger, and the African Centre for Technology in Senegal to be transformed into international centers of excellence through African government and international aid support. Moreover, Africa's science academies must become more active in policy debates related to science-based development. Lastly, Hassan stresses the need for strategic alliances between advanced developing nations such as Brazil, China, and India to make Africa "less beholden to the 'benevolence' of the North" and to demonstrate effective ways of addressing developing country problems through science-based development.


[search again]

Monsanto President and Chief Executive Officer Hendrik Verfaillie announced the formation of an independent advisory body, the Biotechnology Advisory Council. The charter members of the Biotechnology Advisory Council include Dr. Jeffrey Sachs, Director of the Center for International Development at Harvard University; Dr. Paul Thompson, Professor of Biology and Philosophy at the University of Toronto; Dr. Don Doering, Senior Associate for Biological Resources and Business at the World Resources Institute; Congressman Tom Ewing, former U.S. Congressman from Illinois who served on the House Agricultural Committee; and Dr. Lynn Goldman, pediatrician and professor at the Bloomberg School of Public Health at Johns Hopkins University and principal investigator for the Children's Health component of Pew Environmental Health Commission. The charter of the Council charges its members to improve how Monsanto serves society by sharing the perspectives of external constituencies, identifying emerging issues, reviewing progress on the New Monsanto Pledge and by engaging in intensive dialogue on important decisions and policy. The Biotechnology Advisory Council will have discussions and make all recommendations directly to Verfaillie for consideration and implementation. The Panel will meet at least twice annually and will ultimately expand to include up to 10 panel members.

Link

[search again]

A new global network to facilitate communication between non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and the United Nations (UN) is currently underway. The NGO Informal Network will be the means for drawing even the smallest and most isolated organizations into a system that provides information about UN meetings, help in obtaining funds, and support opportunities for collaborative action and UN consultations. The NGO Informal Network will be supported by designated organizations with consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council. Five organizations with a particular area of expertise have been identified in Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Western Asia/Arab States and others.

Link

[search again]

In little more than two decades, Nigeria-Africa's most populous country-has become the continent's largest producer of soybeans and soy products. Last year, Nigerian soybean producers harvested an estimated 500,000 tons of soybeans, a 20-fold increase in just over 20 years, valued at US$ 85 million. Increased soybean production resulted from research conducted by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA). IITA director Lukas Brader explains, "Our researchers had to produce an entirely new plant type that could cope with high disease pressure, compete with parasitic weeds, and grow in African soils. Basically, our plant breeders had to redesign the crop." IITA soybeans, he notes, are two to three times more productive under Nigerian conditions than U.S. and Asian varieties. While the new plant types have made it possible to expand soybean farming across large parts of the country, the development of soy-based food products, including a West African version of tofu developed by a Japanese researcher, sparked broad soybean adoption. The article notes that the private sector is also becoming a major player in the market for soybean and soy products with the establishment of more than 65 soybean processing plants, ranging in size from small village-level mills to large Nestle and Cadbury plants. The piece concludes, "Nigeria's experience with soybean shows that everybody wins in a global economy when science and technology is allowed to cross international borders."

Link

[search again]

The Board of Directors of the African Development Fund (ADF) has approved a loan of $19 million to finance Ghana's inland valleys rice development project. In a statement, the ADF said, "It specifically seeks to increase the incomes of smallholder rice producers of the Ashanti, Brong Ahafo, Central, Eastern and Western regions by increasing the production of good quality local rice." Some 9,000 farmers and 150 people involved in rice milling and trading will benefit from the project. The project will involve the development of 5,500 hectares of rice, improvement of 280 kilometers of access roads and field tracks and provision of about $6.17 million credit for farm inputs and equipment.

Link

[search again]

The Los Angeles Times explores the emerging field of "biopharming," the process of growing chemicals in genetically modified plants (e.g., corn that contains a protein being tested as a vaccine for hepatitis B). In many cases, biopharming offers significant cost reductions to the traditional factory production of chemicals and pharmaceuticals. But in transforming plants to grow things that humans do not normally consume, biopharming also raises food safety and environmental concerns. Regulators are requiring permits for field trials and this summer the USDA and the FDA expect to publish a "guidance" document that will spell out what companies must do to grow, transport and contain biopharmed crops.

Link

[search again]

Piece summarizes a recently published study by McKinsey & Company entitled, "Value Creation: Strategies for the Chemical Industry." According to the study, a market estimate by region and by crop reveals that plant biotechnology is likely to reduce the worldwide insecticide market by about 30 percent. Plant biotechnology is also expected to transfer about 50 percent of the herbicide market to players with genetically modified (GM) crops, and increase the market segment of GM traits from its current $700 million level to $20 billion over the next 10 years. Lagging consumer acceptance is expected to cause a slowdown in the penetration of GM crops over the next few years. However, the authors see a significant decline of negative feelings toward GM crops after 2005, when the first modified crops will have been on the market for 10 years. The authors also predict that other life science companies will follow the example of Novartis and AstraZeneca's Syngenta and split again into pure pharmaceutical and agrochemical companies.

Link

[search again]

Article looks at the Bush administration's approach to biotechnology policy issues. After the administration's first 100 days several top-level positions that affect biotechnology policies remain un-filled including the presidential science advisor, who would head the Office of Science and Technology Policy, and a commissioner for the Food and Drug Administration. The piece notes that so far administration officials have said little about domestic regulatory issues. On the international front, U.S. delegates, working under the direction of White House Assistant for Economic Affairs Larry Lindsey, forcefully argued against reliance on the precautionary principle for evaluating food safety at the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization's Codex Committee meeting in April 2001. The author suggests that ad hoc decisions that could affect the biotechnology industry such as sugar producers and candy manufacturers encouraging sugar beet farmers not to plant genetically modified crops for the time being may be the result of pending administration decisions. In conclusion, upcoming decisions about Starlink corn tolerances and reviews of Bacillus thuringiensis-containing crops are pointed out as key issues to be resolved by the administration and U.S. agencies.

Link

[search again]

This is a draft of the Organization for African Unity's (OAU) and the Ethiopian Environmental Protection Authority's African Model Law on Safety in Biotechnology. The draft was revised at the OAU workshop on an African Model Law on Biosafety and On Developing an Africa-Wide Biosafety System held from 2-5 May 2001 in Addis Abada, Ethiopia. The proposed legislation outlines the procedure for African nations to follow in order to import and/or produce genetically modified organisms. As a means for implementing the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, the drafted proposal addresses pertinent Protocol articles including risk assessment and management and liability and redress. In addition to the proposal, the OAU hopes to coordinate a Biosafety System that would enhance the compatibility of national biosafety legislation implementation and information exchange among African nations.

Link

[search again]

This article argues that the World Trade Organization's (WTO) Agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS) "does little to address [food safety] challenges, it merely represents a method by which nations can create exemptions to each other's food safety laws to advance trade." In particular, the SPS agreement aims to determine if a nation's food safety policies are based on scientific principles and does not act as a barrier to international trade. The WTO relies on the Codex Alientarius Commission, a United Nations' commission, for indicating whether a nation's standards are too high. According to the article, due to the WTO's dependence on Codex standards, recent Codex decisions reflect international trade interests. As a result, the author argues that SPS and Codex do not currently represent a public health and food safety agreement. In concluding, the author calls on the World Health Organization and the World Health Assembly to play a more active role in ensuring international food safety.

Link

[search again]

According to this article, the decision by the Canadian Federal Court that farmer Percy Schmeiser infringed on Monsanto's patent rights for Roundup Ready canola will have implications beyond agriculture. The authors point out that intellectual property protection for biotechnology in Canada has been granted for genes and processes using genes, but not for the protection of plants and animals in which patented genes are inserted. The piece asserts, "The Federal Court's decision allows Monsanto to do indirectly what Canadian patent law has not allowed them to do directly: namely, to acquire patent protection over whole plants." In doing so, questions are raised about the debate over the distinction between genes and cells on the one hand and whole plants, animals, and humans on the other with respect to patent laws. For instance, the authors suggest that the Monsanto decision could mean patients treated with germline gene therapy that reproduce could be liable for patent infringement.

Link

[search again]

Monsanto has formed a wheat industry advisory committee to provide advice and counsel on how best to bring forward biotechnology products in wheat. The committee is comprised of wheat industry participants from the seed trade, grain handling and exports, and the flour milling and baking industry. Among the objectives of the committee are: provide effective dialogue between Monsanto and participants in the wheat industry; advise Monsanto on the feasibility of products and strategy and standards for acceptance; and develop and review plans for potential biotechnology spring wheat grain handling protocols. Monsanto is also looking to involve country representatives that import wheat on the committee.

Link

[search again]

In a press release, the American Corn Growers Association (ACGA) questions the wisdom of promoting genetically modified (GM) agriculture products to foreign customers in light of recent GM product rejections from trade partners. Larry Mitchell, Chief Executive Officer of the ACGA, says, "The ACGA believes an explanation is owed to the thousands of American farmers who were told to trust this technology, yet now see their prices fall to historically low levels while other countries exploit U.S. vulnerability and pick off our export customers one by one." The press release notes the formation of non-GM markets in Brazil, China, India, and Australia as evidence that U.S. farmers that grow GM crops are losing important foreign markets. For instance, in Brazil, a new export facility for a non-GM soybean and corn rotation program is expected to compete with U.S. farmers "over the long term". Dan McGuire, ACGA Program Director, concludes, "Even in the face of all these negative market signals, it appears that some in the U.S. are willing to promote biotechnology no matter how negative the impact is on U.S. exports and commodity prices. That arrogant strategy is turning out to be a 'market development in reverse' program."

Link

[search again]

In a series of meetings over the past six months, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has asked biotechnology companies to keep cloned livestock out of the food market until the National Academy of Sciences completes a review of their safety and makes recommendations to FDA. Completion of the study is expected by early next year. John Matheson, a senior regulatory review scientist for the FDA, explained, "We're trying to make a science-based decision on whether these types of animals pose any risk or not." In addition, the agency is deciding whether cloned animals should be treated like genetically engineered animals, which are regulated by the FDA, or like animals bred through in-vitro fertilization, which would not require FDA regulation. The article notes that the first commercial sale of a cloned farm animal was a Holstein dairy cow, cloned by Infigen Inc. of DeForest, Wisconsin, and sold at auction last fall.

Link

[search again]

This article demonstrates that the Bush administration's push for Trade Promotion Authority, or "Fast Track", in conjunction with the proposal for the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA), which extends the North America Free Trade Agreement to the southern hemisphere, could have implications on the future of genetically modified (GM) crops in Central and South America. "Fast Track", if passed by the U.S. Congress, would enable the U.S. president to make trade decisions without a congressional vote. The author explains, "With the passage of the new trade agreement (FTAA), the U.S. biotech corporations would have a much easier time marketing their genetically altered food products." The FTAA could consider national laws prohibiting GM crops as barriers to trade. According to the article, countries that ignore FTAA decisions could face "large sanctions". In conclusion, the author asks farmers, consumers, and environmentalists to recognize the connection between trade agreements such as FTAA and their effect on the global food supply.

Link

[search again]

In this press release, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) announces the agency's "Four Pillars", which will mandate USAID's international assistance under the direction of USAID administrator Andrew Natsios. The pillars consist of three program pillars--Economic Growth and Agriculture; Global Health; and Conflict and Developmental Relief--and a method for implementing USAID assistance, the Global Development Alliance (GDA). The GDA looks to "mobilize the ideas, efforts, and resources of the public sector, corporate America, the higher education community and non-governmental organizations in support of shared objectives." The GDA will initiate public-private partnerships for development programs such as establishing information technologies in developing countries. The Economic Growth and Agriculture program pillar "highlights the interrelationship and interdependence of economic growth and agricultural development...with the ultimate goal of creating and cultivating viable market-oriented economies." USAID will encourage agricultural development programs, including education and training so that developing countries can benefit from globalization.

Link

[search again]

The development of disease-resistant lentils by the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute and the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) resulted in as much as a 40 percent yield increase, adding US $6.7 million to Bangladesh's rural farm economy. The new variety, released in 1995, is derived from Middle Eastern lentils that demonstrate natural disease resistance and larger seed size but are unsuccessful in Bangladesh's growing conditions. Discovering how to incorporate all the desired traits in a single lentil variety involved tracking the origin of South Asian lentils, which are believed to have migrated from the Middle East. Adel El-Beltagy, director general for ICARDA, concludes, "The mystery surrounding the origin of South Asian lentils points out the need for researchers to continue studying the origins and history of our basic food crops."

Link

[search again]

The European Patent Office (EPO) last week revoked a patent for an important thermally stable enzyme used in the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) process for DNA amplification. EPO officials say that Hoffmann-La Roche's patent for naturally occurring Taq DNA polymerase--obtained from the bacterium Thermus aquaticus, which lives in hot springs--is invalid because it is not a novel invention and is based on previously published discoveries. Roche says it will appeal against the decision next year once the formal written opinion is issued by the EPO. This is the second major Roche patent on PCR to be revoked. In 1999, a federal judge in San Francisco ruled that Roche's US patent for native Taq was invalid. The article notes that more companies are now likely to start selling the enzyme, creating a more competitive market that will lower the price of the widely used reagent.

Link

[search again]

A team of scientists, led by Jean Ristaino of North Carolina State University, have cast doubt on the prevailing theory of what strain of potato blight caused the Irish potato famine of the 1840s. Late blight is caused by the oomycete plant pathogen Phytophthora infestans. Before the 1980s, worldwide populations of P. infestans were dominated by a single clonal lineage, the US-1 genotype or Ib haplotype, which was believed to be the cause of the Irish potato famine. In this study, the researchers describe the amplification and sequencing of 100-base-pair fragments of DNA from 28 Irish potato samples collected between 1845 and 1847, confirming the identity of the pathogen. The results show that the Ib haplotype of P. infestans is not present on the samples. The researchers conclude, "...theories that assume that the Ib haplotype is the ancestral strain need to be re-evaluated." The research team is looking into identifying possible strains.

Link

[search again]

Many African countries are not on track to meet set poverty reduction targets, raising fears about how effective the continent will be in selling the Millennium African Recovery Plan (MAP) to developed countries. President Thabo Mbeki, his Nigerian counterpart Olusegun Obasanjo, and Algeria's Abdelaziz Bouteflika, sold the MAP concept to the 2000 Group of Eight summit in Okinawa, Japan as an African-wide development plan. Updating the South African parliament yesterday on progress on key issues facing Africa, foreign affairs deputy director general Abdul Minty said 1 in 12 African countries were now reporting "worsening" conditions. Casualty rates were ascribed to HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, lack of water and sanitation, and a general lack of developmental infrastructure. Developed nations' support of MAP is seen as contingent on African countries meeting good governance, developmental and other obligations that relate to MAP goals.

Link

[search again]

Andrew Meikle, the chairman of Zimbabwe's Commercial Grain Producers Association (CGPA), said that Zimbabwe risks losing the lucrative European Union (EU) beef quota if genetically modified (GM) maize finds its way into the country's livestock industry. As a result of a forcasted domestic maize deficit, Meikle explained, "We believe that Zimbabwe will need to import maize and with reduced plantings in South Africa, we believe the likelihood of us importing grain from the USA is high. Therefore there is a higher chance that we would land GMO-infected maize in Zimbabwe." CGPA has communicated its concerns to the country's Biosafety Board, which Meikle said is handicapped by a lack of financial resources to check the presence of GM maize in the imported grain. Zimbabwe exports 9,100 tons of chilled boneless beef to the EU but the union's rules stipulate that they will not buy livestock fed with GM maize or grains.

Link

[search again]

According to this article, Zambian farmers are soon to increase their crop yields by as much as three fold as a "radiation mutation breeding" program is implemented. Under close study are traditional crops as finger millet, cassava, beans, pumpkins and the cash crops of rice and cotton. Samson Banda, who is coordinating the Zambian research at the National Institute for Scientific and Industrial Research, says six institutions are currently focusing their attention on the development of better food varieties in locations that include Lusaka, Kasama and Mansa in northern Zambia. Matongo Nomai, head of the Radioisotopes Research Unit, explains, "The objective of mutation breeding is to introduce crops with better characteristics such as improved protein content, higher yield, desired seed coat color, disease resistance and improved plant architecture, climatic adaptation and maturity period." The article claims an induction of mutation by gamma rays can increase the spontaneous rate of genetic change, which effects seed characteristics. The breeding program covers a two-year plan (2001-2002).

Link

[search again]

During a joint mission to Europe next week, the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) and the U.S. Grains Council (USGC) will work to bridge the gap between the United States and Europe on issues surrounding biotechnology. USGC President Ken Hobbie explained the Council's motivation, "As the export market development arm of the U.S. corn industry, we recognize that the current impasse on biotechnology serves no one. So we're fielding a team to Europe to help build relationships and promote ongoing, constructive engagement between the U.S. grain industry and interested European groups and governments." During stops in Brussels, Rotterdam, Geneva and Paris, the groups will meet with representatives of the European Commission, the World Trade Organization and the two bodies' member countries, as well as private groups representing both pro- and anti-biotechnology positions. Following the mission, participants will work together to develop recommendations for a more active biotechnology strategy for the U.S. grain industry in Europe and elsewhere. Hobbie explains, "The knowledge that is gathered and the relationships that are developed on this trip will help us to make informed decisions about future programs and activities."

Link

[search again]

The recent study conducted by the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization entitled "Global Farming Systems Study" pinpoints the world's major farming systems (e.g., maize-mixed system or cereal-root crop mixed system) in order to effectively target areas for alleviating hunger and poverty. The farming systems approach profiled 72 major farming systems covering the developing world by combining biophysical (e.g., climatic and soil data) and socio-economic (e.g., poverty rates and access to financial resources) data. The integration of biophysical and socio-economic data for poverty reduction programs surfaced from the belief that agricultural development programs have gone "badly awry" when data from either area is ignored. The article explains, "[Farming systems approach] goes beyond the traditional commodity, or disciplinary, approach that focused on ways of increasing yields, as if that were the only important consideration farmers make." The FAO is currently developing farming systems maps to be used, among other organizations, by the World Bank in its rural development strategy.

Link

[search again]

According to this article, new rules on genetically modified (GM) foods that went into effect Wednesday (6 June 2001) in China has caused uncertainty in the oilseed market. The new regulations require all production, sales and import of GM foods to be approved by the government, certifying that they do not cause any harm to humans, animals or the environment. In addition, GM products must be labeled. Many agricultural traders, the article reports, say many details are unclear, including which authorities are in charge of issuing such certificates and what constitutes GM foods. Meanwhile, more than 1.5 million tons of GM soybeans are scheduled to arrive each month in China from South America. One trader comments, "There is a possibility that the government will reject the imports. It would be unreasonable, but we have no idea how the government will implement these regulations." The piece notes that news of the new regulations boosted domestic soybean prices.

Link

[search again]

This article explains that wind-blown pollen, commingled seeds and black-market plantings of genetically modified (GM) seeds have, perhaps irreversibly, spread GM crops into the global food supply. Neil E. Harl, a professor of agriculture and economics at Iowa State University asserts, "The genie is already out of the bottle. If the policy tomorrow was that we were going to eradicate [genetically modified organisms], this would be a very long process. It would take years if not decades to do that." The piece points out a new set of trade, regulatory and legal issues due to the spread of GM crops: large countries with non-GM crop import policies may soon have to change course, because they will not be able to get enough non-GM crops to meet their import needs; regulators are under pressure to develop new standards to determine what is and is not genetically modified; and big food and agriculture companies are facing legal and public relations challenges as some farmers and consumers assert that their products have been contaminated. According to the author, a final stand against the global spread of GM crops rest with whether or not Brazil will legalize GM crop production. Bob Callanan, a spokesman for the American Soybean Association, said, "We are very hopeful that last domino will fall. That's why the environmentalists are putting up a stink down there in Brazil. They know if that goes, it's all gone." The article reports that some biotechnology critics believe the industry is ignoring the implications of widespread pollen flow and perhaps even encouraging a GM crops' black market so that GM products are unavoidable.

Link

[search again]

In this piece, university science research is shown to be on two paths--one that ensures data is patented and lawyers and technology transfer offices oversee intellectual property rights and another that ensures data is fully disclosed in peer-reviewed results. The author explains, "Society now faces the question of how to maximize the value of publicly funded [research and development]. Perhaps it is time to consider...a way to avoid a split stream and divert those opposing courses back together for the common good." The commercialization of science, the article reports, must not be simply a way to subsidize university or research council budgets but a positive contribution to science. Moreover, the piece asserts, "There is a danger that commercialization is an end in itself rather than a useful by-product." In conclusion, the article indicates that merging the two scientific paths should include "proper university funding" (i.e., commercial sources should not substitute other funding sources like government funding).

Link

[search again]

The World Bank and the newly established African Trade Insurance Agency (ATI) signed two agreements that will help exporters and importers gain access to risk insurance for trade transactions in Africa. ATI formed in February 2001 as part of a regional trade facilitation project, which aims to improve the terms of trade and access to trade finance for imports and exports by participating African countries. At the signing ceremony in Durban, World Bank vice-president Callisto Madavo said the ATI would help deal with perceptions that Africa was a risky place to do business. The World Bank has facilitated the start up of ATI by lending it $5-million to cover the institution's start up costs and granting credit worth a total of $105-million to the seven participating nations that will be used to back up insurance policies issued by private companies. This will be placed in offshore trust accounts and will be accessible by private risk insurers to pay valid claims. The current ATI members are Malawi, Kenya, Uganda, Burundi, Zambia, Rwanda and Tanzania. Membership is open to all members of the Organization of African Unity.

Link

[search again]

In a workshop at the Botswana Technology Centre (BOTEC), Dean of the Faculty of Science, Professor Mpuchane, said Africa lags behind in scientific development with only 0.8 percent of the total world scientific publications. Mpuchane said that in 1992 there were around 20,000 scientists and engineers in Africa representing 0.36 percent of the world total. Some parts of sub-Saharan Africa have only one scientist or engineer per 10,000. According to Mpuchane, the number of African scientists is attributed to low investment in research and development, which currently averages 0.2 percent of GNP compared with 2-3 percent in many developed countries; brain drain- with more than 30,000 Africans holding Ph. Ds living outside the continent; use of old and few equipment; too few women in science and technology; and few programs that encourage science in elementary education. Mpuchane pointed out two programs in Botswana including "Vision 2016" as incentives for investing adequately in science. The BOTEC workshop aimed to impart practical skills for creating interactive science exhibits and encourage networking in the region in order to catalyze science and technology initiatives.

Link

[search again]

Bristol-Myers Squibb has bought the pharmaceutical arm of DuPont for $7.8 billion. The article points out that efforts by companies like DuPont to produce both agriculture and pharmaceutical products under a life sciences branch have been met with many constraining factors. For a drug company to keep up its high growth, the author notes, it must focus on marketing its current line of drugs while at the same time developing new drugs. To do so is "difficult and draining." In fact, Bristol-Myers is shedding its non-drug businesses. Purchasing DuPont's pharmaceutical arm may be the first of many acquisitions as Bristol looks to offset several drug patent expirations.

Link

[search again]

While the legal debate in Brazil on whether or not to allow the production of genetically modified (GM) crops continues, soya producers in the Rio Grande do Sul state are about to plant the largest ever crop of GM soya in Brazil, without government authorization. Unofficial figures put the planting at around 45 percent of the total area devoted to soya cultivation or 1.4 million hectares. According to the article, the GM soybean seeds were transported from Argentina. Questions remain as to where the GM soybeans will be sold, because the Rio Grande do Sul agricultural industry is completing the certification process for the sale of non-modified soybeans.

Link

[search again]

Researchers at Singapore's National University are reported to have developed a system of modifying genes to delay fruit ripening by up to four months. Researchers have cloned and modified the genes that fruits and plants use to produce ethylene, the gas that causes ripening. Pua Eng Chong, associate professor of the biological sciences department, said fruit with doctored genes produces 90 percent less ethylene. Currently, the researchers are focusing on bananas, a $US 1.5-billion a year industry. Eng Chong said when the technology is perfected, the food industry will be able to time exactly when bananas ripen.

Link

[search again]

Speaking about the anticipated European Union (EU) proposal for regulating genetically modified (GM) foods, EU commissioner David Byrne, in an interview with the Berliner Morgenpost daily, said the proposal would include provisions allowing consumers to sue if GM products are not properly labeled. Byrne explained, "If the labeling is inadequate, consumers will be able to sue. In addition, new laws for genetically modified animal feed and seeds are planned." Byrne expects the EU to present the new proposal for regulating genetically modified foods in June 2001.

Link

[search again]

The Institute of Advanced Studies of the United Nations University (UNU/IAS)--a multi-thematic, interdisciplinary, research and training center in Tokyo, Japan--are seeking postdoctoral and Ph. D. fellowships for the following program area: Biodiversity, Biosafety, and Sustainable Development. Fellows will carry out their research in Tokyo under the supervision of institute faculty members and/or affiliated scholars in Japan. Applicants from developing countries and women are particularly encouraged to apply. Completed applications for the next intake must reach UNU/IAS on or before June 30, 2001.

Link

[search again]

In light of a World Bank study on the role universities can play in boosting the economies of developing countries, the president of the Association of African Universities (AAU), George Eshiwani, urged African governments to commit more resources to university research. Eshiwani explained at the 57th AAU Executive Board Meeting that universities are "vehicles for socio-economic development." According to the article, the AAU president expressed regret that in spite of the World Bank findings, African universities continue to have little resources allocated to them for research work, compared to their counterparts in developed countries. Eshiwani, who is also the vice-chancellor of the Kenyatta University in Kenya, asked African governments to "invest heavily" in universities so that in the future Africans can find solutions to socio-economic challenges such as those posed by HIV/AIDS, famine, and conflicts.

Link

[search again]

In this article an outlook of the World Food Summit--Five Years Later to be held in November 2001 in Rome, Italy is described. The author notes that the call for the Summit by the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reflects the challenges nations are facing to meet the goal of halving the world's hunger by 2015, a goal set by the first World Food Summit. In preparatory reports for the Summit, the FAO says that at the current pace of hunger reduction the goal will not be met until 2030. The FAO cites several reasons for the slow reduction rate: lack of political will (i.e., not enough countries have made fighting hunger a priority) and efforts to curb hunger center on trade and large-scale industrial farming (e.g., biotechnology). The FAO recommends hunger reduction strategies focus on small-scale farmers' needs and lifting developing countries' barriers to trade. The article notes that the Summit discussions could, depending on the outcome, either derail or progress trade talks at the World Trade Organization's meeting in Qatar, which takes place shortly after the Summit.

Link

[search again]

In a speech at the "Seeds of Opportunity" conference in London, Margaret Karembu of the Department of Environmental Sciences at Kenyatta University in Nairobi, said that misleading information about biotechnology from green organizations is obstructing Africa's attempts to combat hunger. Karembu explained that African researchers hear only opinions from anti-biotechnology groups rather than useful data. For instance she asserted, "Greenpeace has a very loud voice, but most of what they say is not factual, and they don't provide alternatives. We can't make policy based on people's opinions." Karembu believes that efforts by groups like Greenpeace have alarmed some African farmers, and they are reluctant to adopt any new technologies--even if they do not involve genetic engineering. She cites work by Faith Nguthi of the Kenyan Agricultural Research Institute and Florence Wambugu of the Nairobi-based charity AfriCenter to develop a method of tissue-culturing bananas to ensure seedlings are free of harmful fungi and bacteria. Attempts to persuade farmers to adopt the technology have been difficult. She explains, "We find that when we talk to farmers, they've already been poisoned [with propaganda] about the dangers of biotechnology. Because there is so much negative publicity about biotechnology, even tissue culture is confused with genetic engineering." In response, Greenpeace claimed that Karembu's views are shaped by the work that she and Wambugu do at the AgriCenter, which is part-funded by biotechnology multinationals as well as charitable organizations such as the Rockefeller Foundation.

Link

[search again]

In this study, researchers demonstrate the production of spider silk proteins in tobacco and potato plants. The researchers explain that spider dragline silk is a protein-rich fiber with remarkable mechanical properties that make it attractive for technical applications. The material cannot be obtained in large quantities from spiders. By generating transgenic tobacco and potato plants that contain spider silk protein genes, silk proteins accumulate up to a level of at least 2 percent of the total soluble protein in the endoplasmic reticulum of tobacco and potato leaves and tubers. When produced in the transgenic plants, the silk proteins exhibit extreme heat stability--a property that is used to purify the proteins for industrial use.

Link

[search again]

Nexia Biotechnologies Inc. and the Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK) announced a collaboration to use the results of a recent study on manufacturing spider silk proteins in transgenic tobacco and potato plants (published in Nature Biotechnology Vol.19 No. 6, pp. 573-577). Nexia has obtained rights to license IPK's intellectual property and know-how in plant-based spider silk protein production to further broaden its BioSteel patent estate and expand spider silk manufacturing base to include plants and animals.

Link

[search again]

The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) determined that genetically engineered StarLink corn did not cause allergic reactions in 17 people who had reported reactions after eating corn tacos and tortillas last fall. Blood tests did not find signs of antibodies to the Cry9c protein, which is engineered in the StarLink corn variety for pest resistance. The developer of the corn, Aventis CropSciences, has asked the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for retroactive approval to allow small amounts of StarLink corn in human food. The test results were requested by a scientific advisory panel convened by the EPA to help determine whether to issue the approval. Val Giddings of the Biotechnology Industry Organization said that the results mean that the allergenic concerns are "slam-dunk closed." Rebecca Goldburg, a scientist with Environmental Defense, said the CDC sample was too small to be meaningful. She asserts that a wider test of people, especially children and those who eat enough corn products to develop a sensitivity, is needed. The scientific advisory panel is set to meet again on the StarLink issue next month.

Link

[search again]

This article gives an overview of advances being made with respect to secondary metabolites (i.e., components that are generally non-essential for the basic metabolic processes of a plant) and plant resistance. The author explains that the rich diversity of secondary metabolites, resulting from an evolutionary process driven by selection for improved defense against microbial attack or insect/animal predation, has made it difficult to apply conventional molecular and genetic techniques to understand plant defense and/or to improve plant disease resistance. Moreover, the large numbers of genes that may have to be transferred and coordinated to introduce effective plant defense activity has contributed to the difficulty in engineering plant resistance. Advances in bioinformatic analysis of large-scale plant genomic and expressed sequence tag databases is beginning to reveal how new enzymes for plant defense may arise through gene duplication and mutation. As a result, regulatory genes can be identified without the need to understand all the steps in an enzymatic pathway. The author concludes, "Given the pace of recent developments..., we should soon be evaluating plants with 'designer' natural product profiles for their adaptation to both biotic and abiotic environmental stress."

Link

[search again]

Gene silencing was perceived initially as an unpredictable and inconvenient side effect of introducing transgenes into plants. In this article researchers demonstrate that the phenomenon could be the consequence of accidentally triggering the plant's adaptive defense mechanism against viruses. Although mechanistically different, the researchers show that a number of parallels between mammal immune systems and plant defense systems exist. Existing parallels include: plants generate agents (e.g. double stranded RNAs) with the specificity to recognize sequences of invading viral RNA genomes and guide destruction complexes (e.g., nucleases) to them (likewise immune systems deploy antibodies and phagocytes and killer cells to attack foreign bodies); in both systems viruses have responded by evolving new ways to circumvent them; and both systems can be enhanced by prior vaccination with virus components. Understanding these components as an "elegant" plant defense mechanism, the authors conclude, will enable plant breeders to exploit the mechanism to generate plants with viable traits for commercial agriculture.

Link

[search again]

This article explores the use of evolution biology principles for pest resistance management in agriculture. In addition, in light of current genetic engineering techniques to confer pest resistance, the author details the long-term feasibility for various techniques to sustain pest resistance. One approach, used by the Environmental Protection Agency and biotechnology corporations, is the high-dose/refuge strategy (HDR), which involves engineering a crop to produce high doses of a toxin and planting mixes of resistant and susceptible crops. The author points out that the HDR strategy delays the evolution of counter-resistance by sexually reproducing insects, not asexual pests such as aphids. Moreover, "a simple evolutionary model suggest that even with a refuge constituting 50% of all plants, far greater than is commerically acceptable...evolution of counter-resistance will not be substantially delayed." Two pest management strategies that are promising for long-term plant resistance are increasing the number of receptor genes for pathogen resistance and incorporating pest tolerance rather than resistance. The author believes that studying evolutionary models for pest resistance management will continue to demonstrate new insights, but it will depend on the funding activities of the private sector, governments and universities, which currently fund few evolutionary scientists compared to molecular and biochemical scientists.

Link

[search again]

In a government reorganization that quickly followed the Labor party's overwhelming re-election on 7 June 2001, Britain's Prime Minister Tony Blair announced that a new department that will seek an integrated approach to managing agriculture and the environment will replace the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF). The new Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) will now coordinate and fund research previously supported by MAFF, as well as work concerned with the environment, rural development, countryside, wildlife and sustainable development.

Link

[search again]

During a two-day gathering of trade ministers from 21 Pacific Rim economies, the United States proposed to create a biotechnology dialogue group within the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum that would emphasize agriculture. APEC already has a task force that deals with issues related to biotechnology, such as biodiversity protection and the safety of genetically modified food. According to the article, the U.S. wants to engage in a dialogue with high-level officials from APEC members in order to strategize on international biotechnology standards. Formed in 1989, APEC consists of Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, the U.S. and Vietnam.

Link

[search again]

This essay explores biotechnology with respect to developing countries from three vantage points: agriculture and international trade, international legal issues, the economics of genetically modified (GM) food trade. The authors believe that developing countries may hold a comparative advantage in producing high-value, labor-intensive specialty crops. Agricultural biotechnology may facilitate increased specialization, while boosting local food production and food security. Concerns are raised that a ban on GM products by developed countries, based on domestic consumer and environmental concerns, could make it more difficult for developing countries to gain financial support for research and human capital for biotechnology activities. However, research conducted by IFPRI indicates that global markets are able to adjust to market segregation of GM and non-GM products. The authors explain, "price differentials between GM and non-GM commodities will reflect their different costs of production and distribution, with consumers who are indifferent benefiting from access to cheaper goods..." The essay concludes that achieving global food security requires more than technological advances, namely countries must work to reduce poverty and a more equitable distribution of income.

Link

[search again]

In this essay, intellectual property rights and agriculture are discussed with respect to developing country researchers' freedom to operate. The authors explain that many developing countries do not have intellectual property rights systems. In addition, a recent IFPRI study found that for 15 important crops for developing countries the majority were never traded across international borders. The authors surmise, "Thus, for most of the crops that matter for food security in poor countries, researchers' freedom to operate is not impeded - much of the needed technology is unencumbered by intellectual property rights in developing countries and little of the developing-country production gets shipped into developed-country jurisdictions where intellectual property rights may prevail." The essay demonstrates that the "real problems" for developing country researchers lies with the World Trade Organization's (WTO) Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property (TRIPs) agreement, a decrease in developing country agricultural research investment, and few developing country scientists skilled in modern biotechnologies. TRIPs, the authors explain, will affect researchers' freedom to operate in the long-term as WTO member countries are required to adopt intellectual property schemes. In conclusion, public and private partnerships for agricultural research and development are described as a means for circumventing the current "problems" for developing country researchers.

Link

[search again]

Researchers from Pennsylvania State University and the University of North Carolina have discovered a gene that may provide a mechanism for controlling plant water retention. The gene, GPA1, is expressed in guard cells, which control the opening and closing of stomatal pores in plant leaves and regulate water loss. The study demonstrates that mutant Arabidopis thaliana plants, which do not express the GPA1 gene, had greater water loss than wild types with GPA1 expression. Specifically, the researchers show that GPA1 regulate ion channels (e.g., K+ and Cl-) and the concentration of the plant hormone ABA, both of which influence stomatal pore aperture and water loss.

Link

[search again]

The United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) are looking for experts in the biotechnology field to participate in the Third Joint FAO/WHO Expert Consultation on Foods Derived from Biotechnology, tentatively scheduled for 24 to 28 September 2001 in Geneva, Switzerland. The third consultation will address safety aspects of genetically modified (GM) foods. In order to be considered for the Third Expert Consultation candidates must meet the following qualifications: advance degree in biotechnology or related fields (e.g., food science, agriculture, or microbiology); professional experience in the field of safety and nutritional assessment of GM foods; scientific excellence evidenced by peer-reviewed publications; experience in delivering scientific opinions at a national or international level; and professional experience in a multidisciplinary and international environment. A selection panel composed of four individuals (one from FAO, one from WHO, and two independent, internationally recognized experts) will review submitted curriculum vitae. Applications must be sent before 15 July 2001.

Link

[search again]

Plans to turn Québec into an international center for science and technology took a step forward last week with the creation of Biotech City, a science and technology park in Laval, close to Montreal. The Biotech City will receive Can$250 million (US$165 million) from Québec's provincial government over the next five years to promote the commercialization of life-sciences research and collaborative projects between universities and industry. The park will be based around the existing Armand-Frappier campus of the National Institute for Scientific Research, as well as several new institutes that will be built.

Link

[search again]

Last month, the Organisation for African Unity (OAU) convened a meeting with the Union for the Protection of New Plant Varieties (UPOV) and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) to discuss the OAU "Model Legislation on the Protection of the Rights of Local Communities, Farmers and Breeders and for the Regulation of Access to Biological Resources" (Model Law), which aims to meet Convention on Biodiversity (CBD) and World Trade Organization (WTO) obligations for agriculture and related issues (e.g., intellectual property rights, biotechnology, and biosafety). Genetic Resources Action International (GRAIN) asserts that WIPO and UPOV were invited to collaborate "in the furtherance of this initiative", but the agencies attempted to rewrite the OAU Model Law on several grounds. GRAIN argues that WIPO and UPOV advocate for "an agenda for agricultural and rural development that revolves around dependency, uniformity and external markets." In written submissions, the agencies seek to change OAU definitions of intellectual property rights and community and farmers' rights. The article indicates that WIPO and UPOV recommendations would change the "essence of the Model Law", which features "inalienable" community rights and access to genetic resources as central to an African model for WTO and CBD obligations.

Link

[search again]

The U.S. Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) and the Genetically Engineered Food Alert coalition has released a report entitled "Raising Risk: Field Testing of Genetically Engineered Crops in the U.S.". The report found that nearly 30,000 field tests of genetically engineered organisms were authorized by the Department of Agriculture between 1987 and 2000. Other key findings in the report are: more than 60 percent of all field tests conducted in the last year contain "secret genes" classified as "Confidential Business Information," and since 1995, 7 of the top 10 companies seeking to conduct field tests have merged into either Monsanto or DuPont. The document also includes the top ten states and territories where field tests are conducted in the U.S. U.S. PIRG recommends a moratorium on the field testing and commercialization of genetically engineered foods and crops unless: 1) independent safety testing demonstrates they have no harmful effects on human health or the environment; 2) the public's right to know about field tests is improved and any products commercialized are labeled; and 3) the biotechnology corporations that manufacture them are held responsible for any harm.

Link

[search again]

Paul Heisey of the U.S. Department of Agriculture provides an overview of the impact of agriculture research and development (R&D) for food security in developing countries. Heisey states, "Investment in agricultural R&D that complement other policy measures in enhancing incentives to producers and building infrastructure will continue to play a critical role in promoting agricultural productivity and food security." He points out that from 1960 to 2000 the developing countries' population grew by around 125 percent, while cereal production in developing nations tripled and agricultural land increased by only 25 percent. Agricultural R&D drove this transformation of food production. In the future, Heisey notes that several important policy issues will shape the ability of agricultural research to contribute to food security including: increased support of public sector research; cooperation between the private and public sector to maintain access to new technologies and research tools; and alleviating institutional constraints to marketing in the short run and investing in infrastructure in the long run.

Link

[search again]

Lorraine Mitchell of the U.S. Department of Agriculture provides an overview of key factors influencing the adoption of agriculture biotechnologies in the developing world. Currently, Mitchell explains, developing countries account for 24 percent of the 44.2 million hectares of transgenic crops planted. Increasing the adoption percentage requires making biotechnology more accessible to farmers in the developing world by targeting innovations to their needs (e.g., "Golden Rice"), establishing public-private partnerships to reduce the research costs for public institutions, and developing policies that help developing country farmers buy and implement new technologies (e.g., World Bank funding schemes for biosafety testing and extension programs for biotechnology implementation). Mitchell notes several organizations actively engaged in partnerships to achieve the above-mentioned factors such as the Rockefeller Foundation, Michigan State University, and the International Rice Research Institute. Mitchell concludes that how wide spread and the number of these partnerships will affect the usefulness of biotechnology for developing countries.

Link

[search again]

In this study, researchers demonstrate that the algae Phaeodactylum tricornutum can be grown without sunlight. Through the insertion of a gene encoding for a glucose transporter, the algae can thrive on glucose in the absence of light. The glucose transporter gene can come from either human red blood cells or another type of algae. The researchers note that future efforts to change the metabolism of plants would be more complicated, because P. tricornutum contains the complete cellular pathway for breaking down glucose that other plants do not have. The results of the study could benefit scientific research that requires pure forms of algae such as in the pharmaceutical industry (algae grown in sunlight often becomes contaminated with microbes).

Link

[search again]

The Mexican government has stepped in to halt a patent for a Dupont maize variety known as Optium, arguing that the grain originated in Mexico and cannot be claimed as property. The patent was to take effect June 1, 2001 in Europe, but at the last moment, the Mexican government filed an appeal of nonconformity with the European Patent Office, launching a discussion and deliberation process. Dupont has responded to Mexico's objection saying that its maize, which has a minimum content of 6 percent oil and 55 percent oleic acid, does not exist in Mexico or in any other country. The transnational further asserted that crossing corn varieties that are unknown in Mexico resulted in the Optium variety. Victor Villalobos, Mexico's assistant secretary of Agriculture argues, "...we are the country of origin of this plant species and--sooner or later--the plant breeders here will obtain a similar variety." The article explains that patent recognition for these traits could harm local farmers because it would give the Dupont exclusive rights over a type of grain derived from older and widely cultivated varieties. However, Mexican government officials note that the patent would be valid only in Spain, France and Italy, countries that do not buy Mexico's corn exports.

Link

[search again]

During a meeting with the World Intellectual Property Organisation's (WIPO) Director General, Kamil Idris, Tanzanian President Benjamin Mkapa asked WIPO to help Africa protect its intellectual property from the foreign countries and corporations, which, Mkapa asserts, continue to access and profit from traditional African knowledge and flora and fauna without any form of compensation to African nations. Mkapa said, "I ask you to help us develop an awareness of the need and capacity to have our traditional knowledge, our folklore and culture, our art and music, and our rare plants and animal species, protected, just as rich countries want to protect almost any new knowledge they find." Mkapa proposed that WIPO and Tanzania's Sokoine Agricultural University collaborate to establish genetic banks of Tanzania's flora "before they are all pushed out of the picture by genetically modified crops." Idris briefed Mkapa on recent trends in intellectual property and the growing significance of knowledge and information for economic development. Idris stressed that a major challenge for WIPO, particularly in the developing world, is to awaken a global consciousness of the real value of intellectual property.

Link

[search again]

Dow AgroSciences and Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. announced that a new generation of Bt traits for corn (i.e., traits resulting from gene insertion of the soil bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis into corn) was granted full food and feed registration with the U.S. government. According to the companies, HerculexTM I Insect Protection, the first trait in a new generation of Bt traits for corn, controls more insects than other Bt corn products on the market. In particular, Herculex I provides enhanced resistance against European and southwestern corn borer, black cutworm and fall armyworm and provides tolerance to Liberty1 herbicide, which controls more than 100 grass and broadleaf weeds on contact. The companies said, "Registration efforts are under way in all major corn-producing and -consuming regions of the world. Until import approvals in those markets are granted, U.S. corn from Herculex I hybrids will be subject to market-channeling and export restrictions." The Herculex I Insect Protection trait will be contained in select elite hybrids of Mycogen Seeds, an affiliate of Dow AgroSciences, and Pioneer. Neither company will be offering this product for sale in the 2001-growing season.

Link

[search again]

Piece looks at the emerging relationship between public universities and corporations. Although the U.S. federal government continues to be the dominant funding source for university science research, the article notes that in 1998, corporations' funding had grown seven-fold since 1970. Increasing corporate support for university research, Nelson Kiang, professor emeritus at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, says collides with the "ethos of the university"--the free exchange of ideas. Kiang observes, "Now we're running into two sets of ideas from two cultures. When they start to interact intimately, accommodations have to be made. At the moment, there's no agreed upon way to do that." Several incidences where researchers are required to hold back information due to patents and/or contracts are noted as a clash between corporate and university culture. According to the article, universities' evolving relationship with industry is as laboratories for basic scientific research. Kiang explains, "You used to have big corporations with labs that would do their own basic research. But ... it's much more effective to turn the universities into research and development labs for them. By sprinkling money around...they don't have to compete for the best brains in the academic world, they simply buy them at low cost." The article also mentions the prevalence of published studies where researchers' financial interests were not disclosed to readers. In conclusion, the author demonstrates that more disclosure is needed so not to undermine public confidence in university research.

Link

[search again]

In light of the upcoming International Undertaking on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (IU) final negotiations in Rome, Italy from 25-30 June 2001, the Intermediate Technology Development Group (ITDG) presents a civil society organization briefing paper. The IU, convened by the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization, is an effort to establish a legally binding document for the conservation and use of plant genetics through fair and equitable sharing with respect to the Convention on Biodiversity. ITDG points out two potential issues that could undermine many of the IU goals (e.g., protection of farmers' rights and free exchange of stable food seeds). The problematic issues are: the commercial seed industry's change of support for a "commercial benefit sharing" system (i.e., a system where the private seed industry would donate a portion of profits to conserve plant genetic resources) and some Latin American countries are in support of bilateral agreements for plant genetic resources rather than the IU's multilateral approach. The paper reports that pressure from the U.S. and Canadian government has resulted in the seed industry's change of support. ITDG concludes by declaring the importance of the IU with respect to, among other points, assuring food security in the long term; recognizing farmers' role and rights in conserving plant genetic resources; sustaining the livelihoods of small-scale farmers; and keeping plant genetic resources for food and agriculture in the public domain.

Link

[search again]

Boru Douthwaite of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in Ibadan, Nigeria argues that science, in conjunction with resource managers and policy makers, has a crucial role in developing sustainable agriculture systems. Douthwaite explains that the agricultural innovations of the Green Revolution (e.g., higher yielding wheat and rice varieties) focused on "reductionist" science that encouraged farmers to quickly adopt the new crop varieties. In doing so, the homogeneity of crop varieties gave way to wide spread pest resistance. With an aim to move beyond "reductionist" science, which widely applies a specific innovation or novelty to agriculture , Douthwaite reports, "[IITA] learned that science has a role not only in developing novelties but also in understanding selection and diffusion mechanisms, as well as likely consequences of technology change." This realization has lead IITA to use a "Benchmark Approach" to its agricultural studies, which includes a diverse group of organizations (e.g., the Food and Agriculture Organization, the World Bank, and the World Wildlife Fund) to coordinate the implementation of agricultural innovations. Douthwaite comments on the use of biotechnology by asserting it is a useful tool for breeders, but unless close attention is given to who controls it "there is a real danger that large multinational companies may gain control over the food chain"--undermining its usefulness for obtaining a sustainable agriculture system.

Link

[search again]

Researchers from Australia's Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research have developed a technique that effectively vaccinates crop plants against viruses. The technique is called post-transcriptional gene silencing with intron-spliced "hairpin RNA". Specifically, the insertion of plant DNA with a small, incomplete segment of virus RNA produces double stranded so called "hairpin" RNA (hpRNA). The plant reacts to the hpRNA as a viral attack and activates its defense mechanism, degrading the hpRNA. In doing so, the plant "recognizes the specific sequence of the virus so, if attacked, the defence mechanism leaps into action, degrading the invading virus RNA before it can multiply. The result is immunity to that specific virus."

Link

[search again]

The African Group at the Fifth Conference of the Parties of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) held May 15-26, 2000 in Nairobi encouraged the enactment of national laws consistent with the "African Model Legislation for the Protection of Rights of Local Communities, Farmers and Breeders and for the Regulation of Access to Biological Resources", an African-wide proposal to meet CBD obligations. In addition, in a two-page Declaration, African delegates stressed the need to develop and harmonize liability and redress measures at the regional level, in relation to damage arising from the transboundary movement of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). The Declaration also called for the enhancement of the capacity of parties in Africa to regulate, monitor and control GM0s. The African delegates appealed to all development and funding agencies to provide technical and financial support to African countries and initiatives with regard to capacity building in priority areas of the CBD. The statement said, "As a matter of priority, the issue of repatriation of Africa's genetic resources abroad, access to, and the sharing of benefits accruing from the use of Africa's genetic resources in terms of CBD should be addressed".

Link

[search again]

The World Trade Organization (WTO) has begun an initiative to create an international database containing the traditional uses of plants and animals. It is hoped that the database will help resolve disputes over whether varieties and species can be commercially patented. The Swiss government released a paper during this week's meeting of the WTO's Council on Trade Related Intellectual Property Rights, explaining the need for such a database: "When determining the novelty and inventive step of an invention... one of the major problems that...authorities face is the accessibility of... this knowledge." Because this is often transmitted orally, said Switzerland, "a database on traditional knowledge could substantially improve this situation." The Swiss paper suggested that the World Intellectual Property Rights Organization operate the database.

Link

[search again]

A New Zealand-based biotechnology company, Genesis Research and Development, has installed the country's first three-way server cluster to give it the computing power needed to compete with multinational biotechnology companies. The search process used by Genesis, known as BLAST (basic local alignment search tool), uses simultaneous searches of public DNA databases to detect relationships among DNA sequences. Murray Grigor, head of bioinformatics at Genesis, said the company makes around 20,000 Internet searches for DNA sequences a week--a process that 10 years ago would have taken months to complete. Grigor explains the logic behind extensive, high-powered searches, "With every sequence we save to disk--five or six files--that's megabytes per sequence. The higher the performance the better. The entire bioinformatics market is a race. The winners are the first to come up with the solution. The rewards for second place are significantly reduced." The article notes that current bioinformatic techniques could sequence the human adrenalin receptor gene, which took 10 years to sequence, in a 15-second computer search. Genesis collects genes from human and plant cells for their electronic library, which they hope will identify cures for human diseases and improve agricultural techniques.

Link

[search again]

Following a recall of snack products with the genetically modified (GM) potato variety NewLeaf Plus, Japanese government officials plan to expand the scope of required labeling for GM food products to include potatoes. In particular, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries plans to add mashed potato, potato chips and other potato products to the labeling requirement, which took effect in April 2001. Currently, labeling is required for bean curd, bean paste, popcorn and 21 other products based on soybeans or corn. Labeling as a "GM product" is required if a gene-spliced soybean or corn variety accounts for 5 percent or more of ingredients in terms of weight. Products below the 5 percent threshold are labeled as "non-GM". NewLeaf Plus, developed by Monsanto Co. is approved for consumption in the United States but not in Japan.

Link

[search again]

The United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's (MIT) Media Lab signed a pact aimed at bringing the digital age to the world's poorest rural communities. The agreement, which is aimed at poor farmers in developing countries, will utilize information technologies to "increase food production in environmentally sound and sustainable ways". In particular, the FAO and MIT hope to provide unlimited access, through the Internet and other innovative technologies, to information including agricultural advice, food security and food safety, economic issues and public health information. Information and training will be conveyed to recipients through voice and images provided by wireless communicating devices.

Link

[search again]

At a forum hosted by the New York Academy of Sciences and the Gene Media Forum, panelists discussed agricultural biotechnology and intellectual property rights. Gary Toenniessen, director of Food Security at the Rockefeller Foundation, proposed that public research institutions retain the right to use their inventions for humanitarian and research purposes. The article notes that restrictive patents and material transfer agreements with for-profit companies have made crucial inventions such as AIDS drugs inaccessible to people who most need them. Toenniessen said, "If the [AIDS researchers] had kept humanitarian-use license, they would be in control now and not at the mercy of the pharmaceutical companies." Toenniessen explained that public sector researchers have a responsibility to minimize corporate control of agricultural intellectual property rights.

Link

[search again]

Following a week-long visit to Europe, delegates from the National Corn Growers Association and the U.S. Grains Council said the EU's proposals on regulating genetically modified (GM) foods are "unworkable" for the U.S. grains and corn industry. The European Commission is due to unveil new proposals on the labeling and traceability of GM foods on June 27, 2001. Initial EU proposals would place a tolerance level for GM organisms at less than 1 percent in food products. The article explains that at this threshold level, U.S. farmers would need to segregate GM from non-GM crops, which could raise costs considerably. David McGuire, director of trade relations for the U.S. Grains Council, said, "Trade will not resume with Europe until traders--those that own the product--have the proper incentives to make trade happen." The article states that the delegation's mission to educate European grain importers and government officials about the benefits of biotechnology was a "stunning success."

Link

[search again]

The world's leading seed trade association, International Association of Plant Breeders for the Protection of Plant Varieties (ASSINSEL), is expected to reverse its support of the International Undertaking of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (IU), which meets for final negotiations next week in Rome. The IU, convened by the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization, is an effort to establish a legally binding document for the conservation and use of plant genetics through fair and equitable sharing with respect to the Convention on Biodiversity. In a press release, jointly issued by several civil society organizations (CSOs), CSOs explain that ASSINSEL will issue a statement at the negotiations claiming it "does not support the current IU text", which will come as a shock to European governments and African diplomats. The press release indicates that ASSINSEL is responding to pressure from the U.S. and Canadian government. Moreover, a meeting between the U.S., Brazil, and Colombia at the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research's mid-term meeting discussed the possible development of a global endowment fund for major agricultural seed banks as an alternative to the IU, which the seed industry supports.

Link

[search again]

In a meeting between African biotechnology stakeholders and the European Commission, Dr. John Wafula of the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute, said, "We want the European Union to aid Africans in the utilisation of biotechnology in a responsible and safe way, thus improving the livelihood of the communities in Africa." Wafula called on the EU to assist in the development of biosafety infrastructure so that African nations can assess agricultural biotechnology and make informed decisions. Secretary general of EuropaBio, Hugo Schepens, commented that the African biotechnology stakeholders' delegation was a unique opportunity to encourage African solutions for Africa.

Link

[search again]

According to this article, feeding a growing population will require increased productivity of crops on land already under cultivation, as well as significantly increasing the efficiency of agricultural water use. Currently, 70 percent of available water is already used for agriculture. This water supply is under "severe strain in many parts of the world", resulting in the need for institutional and managerial changes and technological innovations for more effective water use. The authors point to advances in understanding genetic control of drought tolerance as a means for reducing agricultural water use. In addition, the article notes that crops genetically engineered for pest resistance have the potential to curb water use. For example, 40 percent of plant productivity in Africa and Asia is lost to pests and pathogens. The authors explain, "Much of the loss occurs after the plants are fully grown: a point at which most or all of the water required to grow a crop has been invested. Thus, reducing losses to pests and pathogens is equivalent to creating more land and more water."

Link

[search again]

This article profiles methods used to control plant diseases. Cross breeding and genetic engineering (e.g., inserting Bacillus thuringiensis into crops) methods are briefly discussed as current methods for incorporating disease resistance. Advances in the science of disease resistance are described such as engineering for multiple virus resistance; modifying a plants' own disease-resistant genes; applying chemical stimulators that elicit plants' natural defense mechanisms; and managing the environment (e.g., biocontrols like pheromones that attract specific insects and/or introducing whole organisms that kill pathogens and pests). The article concludes, "Despite the wide range of pest-control strategies under development, researchers know that they, like the Red Queen in 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, have to keep running just to stay in place. History has shown that no control, no matter how clever, is immune to pest evolution."

Link

[search again]

This article reports that despite the damage done by fungal plant pests, researchers have barely begun sequencing their genomes. In fact, public sector researchers have only completed one fungal genome--yeast. Efforts are being made through a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and National Science Foundation (NSF) $900 million initiative to sequence the genomes of agricultural and forest pests. Several sequencing projects have resulted from this initiative. Even so, researchers do not expect complete genomes to result from the USDA and NSF money because "no award can exceed $2 million, which is only about one-third the amount needed to complete a fungal genome sequence." According to the article, although public efforts are minimal, fungal genome sequencing in the private sector is "well under way." Syngenta is currently completing genome drafts for Cochliobolus heterostrophus (a corn pathogen), Botrytis cinerea (which effects a range of crops including strawberries and grapes), and wheat scab fungus. Company sequences are currently available only through collaborative agreements.

Link

[search again]

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is seeking applications for a five-year competitive grants program from organizations and/or consortiums for funding research under USAID's Biotechnology and Bio-diversity Interface. In particular, grant recipients will be responsible for assessing the potential risks to biodiversity associated with agricultural biotechnology and to design risk management strategies appropriate to developing country agricultural systems. Eligible applicants include International Agricultural Research Centers, international environmental conservation groups, private sector seed and biotechnology companies, and developing country agriculture and regulatory bodies. Collaborations between U.S. or international research institutions and developing country research or regulatory institutions are encouraged. USAID intends to provide approximately $1.8 million to fully fund four to six grants.

Link

[search again]

An electronic journal called "IP Strategy Today" has been launched by bioDevelopments-International Institute, a non-profit organization headed by Anatole Krattiger, in collaboration with Cornell University's Strategic World Initiative for Technology Transfer. The journal aims to "provide a forum to share creative, innovative and pragmatic analysis and ideas in intellectual property strategies and management issues, particularly as they affect the transfer of proprietary technologies to developing countries, developing countries access to proprietary technologies in agriculture, and the international exchange of genetic resources." The first volume contains a paper called "Accessing Modern Science: Policy and Institutional Options for Agricultural Biotechnology in Developing Countries", which highlights the challenge in establishing new forms of collaborations to access biotechnologies in the developing world. "IP Strategy Today" can be subscribed to free of charge at: www.bioDevelopments.org.

Link

[search again]

In Japan, research will be carried out to determine how far corn pollen is carried by the wind in order to learn what impact genetically modified produce has on traditional farm produce. The research will be carried out at the Agriculture Environmental Technology Institute in Tsukuba, Ibaraki Prefecture, and the Stock Feed and Farm Institute in Nishi-Nasumachi, Tochigi Prefecture. Non-genetically modified corn used for feed and human consumption will be used in the research. According to the article, Japan's Agriculture and Forestry Ministry hopes to ease consumer fears with the results of the study.

Link

[search again]

Robert Booth, deputy director of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in Ibadan, Nigeria, says agricultural research to feed the starving in Africa "will cease to exist" unless agreement to give scientists free access to the biodiversity of the world's crop can be decided at the International Undertaking of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture meeting this week. The article points out that opposition to free scientific exchange of seeds comes from some industrialized nations, led by the U.S., and some developing countries rich in plant varieties, such as India, Brazil and Ethiopia. Both groups say they can gain more, economically, if plant genetic resources are covered by formal intellectual property rights. Booth responds, "That may be fine for some commercial crops, but it will mean that agricultural research for Africa ceases to exist, because there are no profits to be made." For example, IITA researchers want to prospect India for a natural enemy to a weevil destroying plantain crops in Africa, but without unrestricted access to India's plant genetic resources, the researchers will not be able to move forward. According to Booth, free access was a scientific tradition until the signing of the Convention of Biological Diversity (CBD) at the Earth Summit in 1992, which gave countries sovereign control of their genetic resources. Booth explains, "Some countries had inflated impressions of the cash value of their genetic resources. [The CBD] may have been designed to improve the lot of the world's poor but in practice, for farm crops at least, it looks like its having exactly the opposite effect."

Link

[search again]

In this U.S. General Accounting Office (GAO) report presented to the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance, U.S. concerns about foreign regulation and trade of genetically modified (GM) crops are summarized. GAO reports that U.S. agricultural biotechnology exports face several significant challenges in international markets: 1) the U.S. is relatively isolated in its efforts to maintain access to GM crop markets; 2) world consumer concerns about the safety of transgenic crops has led "key market countries" to implement or consider restrictive regulations; 3) segregating non-GM from GM crops would significantly raise U.S. handling costs, effecting all U.S. exports; and 4) as international discussions about agriculture biotechnology take on greater importance, the U.S. government faces the need for increasing staff resources and coordination of the multiple agencies involved with biotechnology trade issues. The report also raises the concern that forthcoming EU regulations for GM crops could be the basis for developing countries' regulatory framework and such a framework would be inconsistent with World Trade Organization obligations.

Link

[search again]

Action Aid, an England-based organization, has expressed concerns about the World Trade Organization's Trade Related Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPs) Agreement, which makes it mandatory for developing countries to provide patent protection for living organisms, effects on Gambia. Speaking in a press conference, the Action Aid Gambia campaign manager Ritchie Jones, warned that the TRIPs agreement could prevent developing country farmers from storing their seeds for future use; may threaten poor farmers' livelihood and food security; and would reduce breeders' access to seeds and genetic resources. Jones urged the British government to support a substantive review of the TRIPs agreement with a view to amending it to be in line with developing countries' concerns. He also urged the Gambia government not to subscribe to TRIPs.

Link

[search again]

Monsanto announced it would provide a series of bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) end sequences for the soybean genome to the United Soybean Board. In turn, the Board has agreed to provide the genetic sequence data to non-profit Better Bean Initiative participants who are funded through public resources. Scientists use BAC-end sequences to identify the location of specific genetic markers on chromosomes within a genome. By identifying genetic markers on the desired trait, plant breeders can breed plants more efficiently and more accurately. Don Latham, chairman of the Better Bean Initiative advisory panel and immediate past chairman of the United Soybean Board said, "This donation is one of the essential tools we will need to unlock the most beneficial traits within the soybean genome. It will not only quickly accelerate our goal to develop the highest quality soybean for U.S. soy producers, but reduce the amount of time and money it will take to achieve this goal." Last month, the Monsanto donated a Simple Sequence Repeat genetic marker, which identifies the low palmitic fatty acid trait within the soybean genome. It is expected to accelerate the Better Bean Initiative's goal of developing a high-yielding soybean that is lower in saturated fat.

Link

[search again]

Bread for the World has introduced the "Africa: Hunger to Harvest" Resolution in the U.S. Senate. Senator Hagel (Republican of Nebraska) and Senator Leahy (Democrat of Vermont) introduced Senate Concurrent Resolution 53, which encourages the development of strategies to reduce hunger and poverty, and to promote free market economies and democratic institutions, in sub-Saharan Africa. A congressional commitment to Resolution 53 would declare the years 2002 through 2012 "A Decade of Support for Sub-Saharan Africa." The resolution calls for the president to submit a report to Congress setting forth a five-year strategy and a ten-year strategy "to achieve a reversal of current levels of hunger and poverty in sub-Saharan Africa, including a commitment to contribute an appropriate United States share of increased bilateral and multilateral poverty-focused resources for sub-Saharan Africa." The strategy, the resolution dictates, must outline a plan for agriculture, including how to strengthen subsistence agriculture and the ability to compete in global agricultural markets, as well as invest in infrastructure and rural development.

Link

[search again]

Zambian research scientists are working on a policy framework to regulate and monitor the importation, manufacture, use and release of genetically modified organisms. The scientists are currently finalizing a biosafety policy document that would enable the Zambian government to sign the Cartagena Biosafety Protocol, which is the world treaty related to the Convention on Biological Diversity. According to Dorothy Mulenga, a scientific researcher at the National Institute for Scientific and Industrial Research in Lusaka, once the policy framework is approved, a "National Biosafety Competent Authority" would be created as a supervisory body. Mulenga explained, "There is need to secure funds for the second phase of the project. The objective of the second phase is to build the necessary capacity to implement the bio-safety framework developed in the first phase." The Global Environment Program is supporting Zambian scientists in the preparatory work through the United Nations Environment Program.

Link

[search again]

In the opening of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly Special Session on HIV-AIDS Monday, June 25, 2001, African leaders argued that the death of more than 20 million people, mostly in sub-Saharan Africa, demands more money be committed to fighting HIV-AIDS. Even if fully financed, officials explained, the United Nations HIV-AIDS fund would remain dwarfed by Africa's burden of debt. Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo said, "If we are to be true partners in development, the debt issue must be addressed in a comprehensive manner that frees our resources to enable us fight the scourge of HIV-AIDS." For instance, African delegates noted that Zambia, where one fifth of all adults have HIV, spends 100 million dollars more on debt payments than on health. Many participants noted the disappointing international response to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan's call for between seven billion and ten billion dollars per year for a global fund to fight AIDS and other health threats.

Link

[search again]

In this article Patrick Heffer, scientific coordinator of the International Association of Plant Breeders and the seed industry representative for the International Undertaking on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (IU) negotiations, expresses the seed industry's view of the IU. Heffer said, "We are strongly in favor of an intellectual property regime for the food and seed industry...[they are] necessary to have sufficient incentives to create new varieties of plants and promote food security." He said that rather than making exceptions for small-scale farmers in the developing world under the IU, countries could introduce exemptions into their own intellectual property laws to protect farmers. With respect to the outcome of the final IU negotiations taking place this week (24-29 June 2001), he asserted, "We would prefer to have no agreement than a bad one." The IU is a legally binding document that seeks to protect plant genetic resources for food and agriculture with respect to the Convention on Biological Diversity.

Link

[search again]

The UN Environment Program yesterday met in Geneva with government and trade officials to identify ways to ensure global trade rules are fully compatible with international environmental treaties. "Next year's World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg offers a major opportunity for world leaders to promote a constructive relationship between our global systems of economic and environmental governance," said UNEP Executive Director Klaus Toepfer. "Efforts to strengthen cooperation between environmental agreements and the World Trade Organization (WTO) are vital to building a world economy that can deliver sustainable development."

Link

[search again]

A study conducted by the National Centre for Food and Agricultural Policy (NCFAP) in Washington, D.C., with support from the biotechnology industry and the Rockefeller Foundation, estimated the benefits of genetically modified (GM) crops to the environment and U.S. farmers. Presented at the Biotechnology Industry Organization's 2001 conference in San Diego, the study claims that GM crops are already saving US farmers billions of dollars a year through a combination of lower inputs and increased yields, and they could save billions of dollars more if growers were not held back by fears of consumer resistance. Leonard Gianessi, the study director, presented the first eight crop assessments to the conference. The largest benefit seen for any one crop was in soya beans. Growers have to apply the herbicide Roundup only once to kill all weeds, whereas non-GM soya requires three or four herbicide applications; the average saving in weed control is $15 per acre. Gianessi noted that some GM crops, including GM sugar beet, potatoes and sweet corn, are not being grown commercially, although they have received regulatory approval, because farmers do not want to risk losing sales through consumers' antipathy. The full NCFAP study will be completed in September 2001.

Link

[search again]

In this study, researchers succeeded in deciphering the chemical signaling mechanism that allows plants to close their stomata--the tiny pores in leaves through which gases and water vapor flow during photosynthesis and respiration--for extended periods. The researchers systematically varied the cytosolic (the liquid between the cell membrane and the nucleus) calcium concentration in Arabidopsis guard cells using a "calcium clamp" and showed that cytosolic calcium concentration controls stomatal closure by two mechanisms. Short-term "calcium-reactive" closure occurred rapidly when calcium was elevated. The other mechanism, termed "calcium programmed", allowed for long-term stomatal closure by varying cytosolic calcium concentration within a defined range of frequency, transient number, duration and amplitude.

Link

[search again]

In order to help policymakers and others understand what is at stake in the global agricultural negotiations under the World Trade Organization, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Economic Research Services quantifies the costs of global agricultural distortions (e.g., subsidies and tariffs) and the potential benefit of their full elimination. The reports claims that full elimination of agricultural distortions would result in a global gain of $56 billion; world agricultural prices could rise about 12 percent; developing countries could increase their welfare by $21 billion; and low-income developing countries' food aid needs would decline 6 percent. The report also analyzes the effects on world agriculture if only partial reform is achieved in liberalizing tariffs, tariff-rate quotas, domestic support, and export subsidies.

Link

[search again]

In this study, researchers demonstrate that the coat of proteins surrounding pollen could influence pollination and speciation. The researchers found that the Arabidopsis thaliana pollen coating consist of two genomic clusters--one, which encodes for six lipases (i.e., enzymes that breakdown lipids (fatty acids)) and the other, six lipid-binding oleosin genes (these genes play a role in stigma pollen recognition). While all Arabidopis plants studied consistently contained these two genomic clusters for 90 percent of the proteins in the pollen coat, individual oleosins exhibited extensive divergence between ecotypes. The study concludes, "Such allelic flexibility may promote speciation in plants."

Link

[search again]

Florence Wambugu, director of Kenya's AfriCenter of the International Service for the Acquisition of Agribiotechnology Applications, told attendees of the Biotechnology Industry Organization's annual conference in San Diego that the benefits of agriculture biotechnology for Africa far outweigh any potential harm. Wambugu explained, "No one can say there are no risks. Every new technology is a double-edged sword, and you must manage the risks to obtain the benefits. She spoke about tissue-culture and genetic-modification methods for improving yields and fighting plant diseases in key crops like sweet potato, banana, and cassava. Improvements for these crops will not only help fight hunger, it will allow poor countries to develop markets. The article quotes from her new book, "Modifying Africa", "The public mistrust [of biotechnology] could, if Europe's recent experience is anything to go by, seriously jeopardize Kenya's ability to benefit from biotechnology, especially GM crop varieties." Wambugu asks scientists to take a cue from biotechnology critics and begin to communicate to the public about their work. Her new book is profile at: www.modifyingafrica.com.

Link

[search again]

The American Medical Association recently made a resolution mandating an end to the non-therapeutic use of antibiotics in agriculture due to growing and irrefutable evidence linking antibiotic resistance in humans to livestock. David Brubaker, Director of the Spira/Global Resource Action Center for the Environment Project at Johns Hopkins' Center for a Livable Future said, "When the country's leading medical establishment calls for an end to antibiotic use in animals, it's time to listen." Brubaker recommends immediate action by the U.S. Federal Drug Administration (FDA) to begin monitoring and documenting the amount and types of antibiotics used in agriculture. In addition, Brubaker supports federal legislation and FDA action to ban the sub-therapeutic use of antibiotics in animal agriculture.

Link

[search again]

Alpha Omar Konare, president of the Republic of Mali, addressed a luncheon hosted by the Africa Society of the National Summit on Africa and the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace Africa Initiative, "Is it possible for the U.S. to look at itself in the mirror without seeing Africa? I don't think so! The U.S. should be with us not because Africa might be a risk but because Africa is also an opportunity." Pointing to massive U.S. investment in the development of Latin America and Asia, Konare pointedly asked, "Why not Africa?" Konare emphasized what is increasingly seen as the central message of the Millennium African Recovery Plan which he - like South African President Thabo Mbeki during his visit here earlier this week - is pressing the Bush administration to support: That the driving force behind democratic and economic reform on the African continent must be African commitment.

Link

[search again]