News
2012-11-06 | permalink
Hype and doubts about “medicinal” GM tomato
Claims about drug carrying genetically engineered tomatoes should be treated cautiously. Researchers fed the GM tomatoes to mice as a small part of a Western-style high-fat, calorie-packed diet. The study has not been peer reviewed or published in a scientific journal but its findings are being promoted as a way to “reduce global epidemic of heart disease”. [...] according to the Daily Mail; “Researchers hope to mass produce the GM tomato so it can be eaten around the world”. Dr Fogelman is no stranger to cashing in on his research. Some years ago his private company (presumably something he runs during the evenings and days off from his University job) secured a $200 million dollar deal with Novartis for another application of peptides.
GM Education, UK: Doubts about “medicinal” GM tomato- Daily Express, UK: How genetically modified tomatoes ‘can help beat heart disease’
- Food Navigator, USA: GM tomato packed with ‘good cholesterol’ could help unblock arteries
- American Heart Association, USA: Genetically engineered tomatoes decrease plaque build-up in mice
2012-11-06 | permalink
Indian farmers’ body Bhartiya Kisan Sangh opposes field trials of GM crops
Farmer community in Gujarat has raised objection to the union agriculture minister, Sharad Pawar’s appeal to the state governments to permit field trials of genetically modified food crops. Farmer body, Bhartiya Kisan Sangh (BKS) has alleged that Pawar has colluded with the multi-national seed companies to act against the interests of the country’s farmers. “It is unfortunate that our union agriculture minister, who has the responsibility to ensure welfare of the farmers and achieve food security for the country, is pressing for field trials of GM crops despite the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Agriculture had recommended to stop all field trails,” said Ambubhai Patel, national secretary, Bhartiya Kisan Sangh.
- Business Standard, India: Farmers’ body opposes field trials of GM crops
- Daily News and Analysis, India (DNA): Why is Sharad Pawar promoting field trials of GM crops?
- Tehelka, India: Field trials on trial
- Coalition for a GM-free India, India: MoEF should accept the Technical Expert Committee’s interim report on GMO field trials
2012-11-05 | permalink
California GMO measure may fail after food industry fights back
Major food and seed companies appear to be on the verge of defeating a California ballot initiative that, if passed on Tuesday, would create the first labeling requirement for genetically modified foods in the United States. In a campaign reminiscent of this summer’s successful fight against a proposed tobacco tax in California, opposition funded by Monsanto Co, DuPont, PepsiCo Inc and others unleashed waves of TV and radio advertisements against Proposition 37 and managed to turn the tide of public opinion. [...] The swing in sentiment in the final weeks was predicted by pollsters, based on the power of a $46 million “No on 37” campaign, one of the best-funded for a California ballot measure fight.
- Thomson Reuters, USA: California GMO measure may fail after food industry fights back
- California Right to Know, USA: Documented deceptions of No on 37 Campaign
- St. Louis Post Dispatch, USA: Monsanto keeps close eye on California food labeling issue
- Forbes, USA: Who will cover the costs of California’s Prop. 37?
- The Argus Leader, USA: South Dakota eyes food labeling proposal
- Truthout, USA: Prop 37 and corporate lies in the post truth era
2012-11-01 | permalink
Bolivian GE soy farmers urge rethink on Mother Earth law
The Andean nation is a small producer of soybeans compared with its giant agricultural neighbors, Brazil and Argentina, but output and exports of the oilseed have jumped in recent years due to improved crop yields and bigger plantings. [...] Virtually all Bolivian soy uses GM seeds and the law signed by Morales earlier this month has rattled growers in the lowland east, historically a bastion of opposition to the Aymara Indian president -- a vocal advocate of organic farming methods and Pachamama, which means Mother Earth in the Andes. The legislation, which former coca farmer Morales has called a means “to live in equilibrium and harmony with Mother Earth,” also calls for limits on the expansion of farming into new areas and assigns a spiritual value to land beyond its social and economic function.
2012-10-31 | permalink
Armenia declared to be GMO-free by draft biosafety law
Today at the usual Cabinet session the RA Minister of Nature Protection Aram Hartutyunyan presented to the Cabinet the project about the Genetically Modified Organism for an approval. Minister noted that the law has passed a long way. According to the suggested law the RA is recognized as GMO free zone. By the law, it is allowed to carry out activities only in isolated systems, for laboratory experiments only. [...] The Cabinet approved of the project.
