Monsanto partners with GrassRoots Biotechnology Monsanto has announced the establishment of a three-year collaboration with GrassRoots Biotechnology Inc., based in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, to source novel genetic elements, including promoters and genes, which can enable crops to express traits that enhance and protect yield. Monsanto will use the promoters sourced from GrassRoots in a broad range of crops, including corn, soy, cotton and canola, to optimize an array of biotechnology traits. More†

Legal

Brazil approves Herculex cultivation The Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture has authorized Dow AgroSciences to sell five maize hybrids with Herculex I Insect Protection technology. The company also announced that it plans to be able to offer the Brazilian market its full range of maize hybrids with this technology in the future. More†

USFDA approves GM animals The US Food and Drug Administration has issued its final regulations governing the approval of genetically engineered animals. Genetically engineered animals will require FDA approval before they can enter the marketplace, but the rules do not require consumer labeling for foods from these animals. More†

Sci/Tech

Sorghum genome sequenced, analyzed Scientists at the US Department of Energy (DOE) Joint Genome Institute (JGI) and several partner institutions have published the sequence and analysis of the complete genome of sorghum, a major food and fodder plant with high potential as a bioenergy crop. The genome data will aid scientists in optimizing sorghum and other crops not only for food and fodder use, but also for biofuels production. More†