Marker gene safety rediscovered The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), a scientific body typically ignored by European politicians and regulators, has discovered, once again, that marker genes are safe. Meanwhile, the safety of marker genes has long been common knowledge in the US. We'd all be better off if these scientists worked on inventing things, instead of wasting their efforts on the European Commission. More†

Potato safety rediscovered Once again, European officials have discovered that BASF's Amflora potato is safe. The rediscovery was made by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), a scientific body typically ignored by European politicians and regulators. "Today's assessment gives the entire EU Commission the final scientific clarity to approve Amflora", said Stefan Marcinowski, executive board member in charge of BASF Plant Science. Dr. Marcinowski has been working for BASF since 1979 and has impeccable scientific credentials,  but accusing the EC of having "scientific clarity" suggests he doesn't get out of the lab very often. More†

Business

Cooperation on GM wheat For many years, the international wheat market has been dominated by three major competitors; the United States, Canada and Australia. The High Plains Journal says a recent announcement by the major wheat organizations of all three countries, though, has put those rivalries on a backburner, if only for a moment. More†

Legal

When activists attack... ...and you're a security guard hired to defend a government field trial in Germany, it seems the best advice is to act like French police. That's right. Two guards hired by Ladenburg-Neubotzheim to "guard" a field trial of GM maize on government property have been found guilty of unlawful restraint, property damage, and assault, and given hefty fines. More†

Sci/Tech

Phytozome.net expanded An enhanced version of Phytozome.net, a web portal for comparative plant genomics geared to advance biofuel, food, feed, and fiber research, has been released by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Joint Genome Institute (JGI). The 4.0 release of Phytozome now spans fourteen plant genomes, including eight that have been sequenced at the DOE JGI. More†

Development

It's official: people have a right to technology. At least in the Philippines, and if it's agricultural biotechnology, according to Dr. Saturnina Halos, chairperson of the Biotech Advisory Team of the Philippine Department of Agriculture. More†

Organic farming hurts Zimbabwe But how can that be? Food retailers in the US and Europe, and their friends, assure everyone that organic farming produces just as much food as doing it the modern way, and sells for more money, too! The picture is different in Zimbabwe. When you're really, really poor, organic farming is the only method within your means. When a neighboring country starts using modern techniques, and you can't, you're worse than poor. More†

Potpourri

Glofish on the loose in Ireland St. Patrick banished snakes from Ireland, and now, the Irish Environmental Protection Agency must do the same for GM fish that supposedly glow in the dark. Four of the fish were apprehended in a garden pond, and if the agency prosecutes, a fine of up to €3,000 and/or 12 months imprisonment could be imposed in the district court. If the case is heard in the Circuit Court, a fine of up to €15,000 is applicable and/or 10 years in prison. More†