Stronger Plants, Stronger Science, and Stronger Communication
STEC/EHEC outbreak – horizontally transferred genes « bacpathgenomics: “STEC/EHEC outbreak – horizontally transferred genes” Kat Holt has produced a fantastic visual presentation of the family tree of the German disease causing E. coli EHEC/EAEC/STEC germ. The Pundit won’t spoil her story with too much comment: In the German outbreak bacteria, as in most E. coli,…
E. coli can survive for a long time on composted soils Germany is fatally sick. There is a lethal elephant in the room. This is that elephant: “Use of animal wastes in fertilization of fresh fruits and vegetable plots significantly increased the risk of E. coli contamination in fresh produce grown in semi-organic and organic…
Gilles- Eric Seralini has won a court case in Paris over the issue of whether his funding by Greenpeace may have influenced his scientific judgement. Richard Hudson of ABC radio in Western Australia interviewed Seralini on this matter[link to ABC webpage], and also asked David Tribe to comment about the merits of Seralini’s scientific arguments…
Read More “GMO Statistics Part 11: To find a harm you have to measure harm” »
The genetic modification of bacteria in French science classes has sparked concern.Nature Magazine News 31 January 2011 A row has broken out in France over whether 15- and 16-year-olds should be allowed to create transgenic Escherichia coli bacteria in the classroom. Practical experiments in which students learn how to use plasmids to alter the DNA…
European commission webpage describing EC-sponsored research on safety of genetically modified organisms. In the Introduction to this European commission webpage they note: Of particular importance in this context is the use of Genetically Modified Organisms outside contained facilities. Consequently, GMO safety research has been supported in successive Framework Programmes from 1985 to the present day….
In an earlier post, we quoted Klaus Ammann’s investigation of maize yields and the differences between the United States and Europe in improvement in these yields over time. This post provides an update of this story, showing encouraging recent progress in United States maize yields per hectare, as compared to a discouraging parameter for maize…
8/07/2010Scientific background report MON810 In this scientific background report, VIB brings together the most recent data about MON810, one of the first biotech crops allowed for cultivation in the EU. Despite the scientific consensus that it is safe for humans and the environment, several EU member states have since banned its cultivation. What are the…
Economic Impacts of Policies Affecting Crop Biotechnology and Trade – Kym Anderson, New Biotechnology (in Press), full paper athttp://web.services.adelaide.edu.au/cies/publications/present/CIES_DP1012.pdf Agricultural biotechnologies, and especially transgenic crops, have the potential to boost food security in developing countries by offering higher incomes for farmers and lower priced and better quality food for consumers. That potential is being heavily…
The EU Ranks as the World’s Biggest Net Importer of Agricultural Produce While Neglecting Critical Investment in Agricultural ResearchPress ReleaseBERLIN, October 13, 2010 /PRNewswire/ —– International Competition for Agricultural Production Land is Rising Dramatically The food situation in poor countries continues to deteriorate. On World Food Day, October 16th, the number of starving people worldwide…
French protesters destroy biotech grapevines – Taiwan News Online Item via Associated Press 2010-08-15 11:48 PM Associated Press are reporting that Protesters have destroyed vines of genetically modified grapes at a government research site in eastern France. The item says that the security chief for the Haut-Rhin region, Jean-Christophe Bertrand said that 50 people were…
Read More “French protesters destroy biotech grapevines – Taiwan News Online” »