News

2013-02-12 |

Indian Bt cotton is failing; blame the farmers

Of all the GMO controversies around the world, the saga of Bt cotton in India continues to be one of the most interesting and important. In the latest chapter, reported by the Business Standard, cotton yields have dropped to a 5-year low, setting off a fascinating round of finger pointing. [...] as I have pointed out, most of the rise in productivity had nothing to do with Bt cotton; in fact it happened before Bt cotton became popular.

2013-02-12 |

GMO Bill tabled in Parliament of Uganda

A Bill whose object includes providing for development and general release of Genetically Modified Organisms in Uganda has been tabled in Parliament. The National Biotechnology and Biosafety Bill, 2012, which also provides for a regulatory framework to facilitate safe development and application of biotechnology, was tabled by the chairperson of the committee on science and technology, Denis Hamson Obua. [...] The Authority will also ensure necessary measures to avoid adverse effects on the environment, biological diversity, human health and on socio-economic conditions arising from GMOs.

2013-02-11 |

Connecticut (USA) will again try passing a GMO food-labeling bill

A second attempt in Connecticut to pass a law to require food-labeling to inform the public about genetically modified organisms is being crafted by two state Democrats. There is also support from some GOP legislators. In 2012 a bill from the now-retired state representative, Richard Roy was dropped because of fears that it may have been grounds for a lawsuit from Monsanto, who make GMO seeds. This time around Rep. Phil Miller and Rep. Diana Urban are being extra-vigilant in preparing a bill that will be, they hope, litigation-free.

2013-02-11 |

Hawaii (USA) to pass GMO labeling bill, but only for imported fresh fruits and vegetables

Hawaii might have cause to celebrate, as lawmakers have passed a new measure in the House Committee on Agriculture, requiring labeling on genetically modified food. But will the final bill be everything it was hoped to be? [...] After numerous proponents of the bill testified before the House committee, it passed its second reading on Thursday, but the bill was amended so as to only apply to produce imported from outside Hawaii.

2013-02-06 |

GM potatoes likely to return, U.S. researcher says

A University of Idaho researcher says he’s optimistic efforts to develop genetically modified potatoes will resurface. Joseph Guenthner, a UI professor in Moscow, Idaho, said he believes it’s possible the organic industry or environmental organizations may one day accept GM potatoes developed using traits from other potato plants. Efforts to develop GM potatoes date back to the 1980s, Guenthner said. Efforts failed due to export market concerns or political pressure by groups like Greenpeace, he said. “Four decades of scientific and economic activity and we don’t have a commercial GM product on the market now,” he said.

Go to page: ← ... 399 400 401 402 403 404 405 406 407 ... →