Arcadia to launch gamma linolenic safflower Arcadia Biosciences, Inc. has received US$15 million to commercially launch a line of safflower oil made from plants genetically engineered to produce higher-than-usual amounts of gamma linolenic acid. The company expects to begin marketing the product with its commercial partner, Bioriginal Food and Science Corporation, in late 2008. More†

BASF, Lantmännen, Svalöf Weibull swap shares BASF, Lantmännen, and Svalöf Weibull have exchanged shares of company stock. As a result, BASF has gained full ownership of BASF Plant Science by acquiring the 15 percent share in BASF Plant Science previously held by Svalöf Weibull. At the same time, Lantmännen became the sole owner of Svalöf Weibull after acquiring the 40 percent share in Svalöf Weibull previously held by BASF Plant Science. According to a joint press release, the resulting simplification in ownership will give the companies greater flexibility in responding to their respective strategic demands. More†

Rosetta Genomics enters plant biotech field Israel-based Rosetta Genomics, Ltd. has launched Rosetta Green, a microRNA-based plant biotechnology project. MicroRNAs have been established as key regulators of protein expression and their aberrant regulation in humans is associated with many serious diseases. However, microRNAs' vast potential is not limited to humans. Research conducted at Rosetta Green has shown a promising correlation between the expression of microRNAs and algal oil content. In addition, correlation has been found between microRNAs and starch & oil content in maize.  More†

Development

Has Bt cotton reduced farmer suicides in India? It sure looks like it, and it makes sense. Farmers growing Bt cotton have seen their net revenues double, which wouldn't seem to inspire despondency. And now, data in a new research paper looking at Bt cotton and farmer suicide suggest an inverse relationship -- that Bt cotton may reduce farmer suicides. More†

NGO Watch

EU-backed activists force closure of research farm in Brazil With the financial backing of European governments, two activist groups have forced the confiscation of a research farm in Brazil. The groups, Landless Workers Movement, (Movimento dos Trabalhadores Rurais Sem Terra/MST) and Via Campesina, are responsible for violent conflicts at Syngenta's facility in Paraná state, in the South of Brazil. As a result, two are dead, and Syngenta must look elsewhere to conduct research. More†