genetic engineering
Foes call for New York to review GE moth okayed by USDA
The USDA has approved the first open-air trial of a genetically modified non-sterile insect, male diamondback moths that pass along a gene during mating that prevents female offspring from reaching adulthood. The Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York said it "believes in the strongest terms that this action should trigger a full environmental review" by state officials, rather than a rubber-stamp approval.
Canadian province approves AquaBounty plan to raise GE salmon on land
The Prince Edward Island environment minister approved a proposal by AquaBounty, the developer of a genetically engineered salmon, to produce 250 tonnes a year of the fish at Rollo Bay West, on the northeastern shore of the province, reported the CBC.
Study finds conflicts in NAS panel on GE crops
A study in the journal PLOS ONE found that six members of a 20-member panel studying genetically engineered crops had one or more financial conflicts of interest, none of which were disclosed in the panel's report.
GMO apple slices to go to Midwest stores in first U.S. sales
A year after U.S. regulators approved the Arctic apple, genetically engineered to resist browning, the first batch of the apples will go on sale in grab-and-go pouches of apple slices in 10 stores in the Midwest, says Capital Press. "A QR computer scan code on the packaging enables consumers to get information, including that the apple slices are genetically modified, but nothing directly on the packing identifies it."
Winegrowers in Texas fear new weedkillers on cotton crop
The wine industry contributes an estimated $2 billion to the Texas state economy, but winegrowers say their livelihood is under threat by weedkillers intended for use on genetically engineered cotton. They are not placated by EPA assurances that new herbicides use formulations that are less prone to drift onto neighboring land in the No. 1 cotton state, or that spray rigs will use anti-drift nozzles, says the Texas Tribune.
U.S. prods China on ag-biotech reviews
At an annual bi-national meeting, senior U.S. trade officials pushed their counterparts from China for "a predictable, transparent and scientific" system for deciding whether to approve the import of genetically engineered crops. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said that despite U.S. disappointment that more progress was not made at the Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade discussions, the United States expects a Chinese agency to approve eight biotech strains at a meeting in December.
Rogue GMO wheat found in Washington state; third U.S. discovery since April 2013
Genetically engineered wheat, developed by Monsanto but not approved for sale, was confirmed growing in the wild for the third time in a little more than three years, said the Agriculture Department, this time in a fallow field in Washington state.
Gene editing may not be as fool-proof as thought
There is an emerging concern among scientists that the gene-editing technique CRISPR "might inadvertently alter regions of the genome other than the intended one," says STAT, the health and medicine site. Dr. J. Keith Joung of Massachusetts General Hospital says that algorithms used to predict off-target effects of gene editing "miss a fair number" of them.
House panel looks for skulduggery in glyphosate analyses
In a letter to EPA head Gina McCarthy, the House Science Committee says it has "concerns about the integrity" of a WHO-agency review that rated the weedkiller glyphosate as probably carcinogenic in humans. And it wants to know what influence is being exercised on the EPA's review of the chemical by the U.S. scientists who took part in the international review.
More clashes as GMOs move into fruits and vegetables
Nearly half of U.S. cropland is planted with genetically engineered crops, say four USDA analysts, but the risk of cross-contamination of organic and non-GMO crops may rise with the approval of genetically modified apples and potatoes.
GE rice sheds leaves to survive drought
Researchers at Purdue say genetically engineering plants to produce high levels of the protein PYL9 can dramatically improve drought tolerance in rice.
Farmers lean heavily on glyphosate; U.S. averages 13 ounces an acre
U.S. farmers use glyphosate more widely and more intensively than any other weedkiller, says researcher Charles Benbrook in a paper published today in the journal Environmental Sciences Europe. Benbrook says growers applied nearly 250 million pounds (125.4 million kg) of the chemical in 2014.
FDA blocks import of GE salmon
Complying with a congressional directive, the FDA barred imports of genetically engineered salmon, "months after approving the first such animal as safe to eat," says the website Regulatory Focus.
GE salmon and FDA’s next commissioner
Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski says she is willing to stall a Senate vote on the nomination of Robert Califf as FDA commissioner "until he and FDA agree to mandatory labeling requirements for the AquAdvantage salmon," reports the Washington Post.
Genetically modified citrus trees resist greening disease
University of Florida researchers say they have developed genetically modified citrus trees that resist the greening disease that threatens to destroy the industry. Citrus greening, spread by the tiny psyllid lice, causes misshapen fruit and eventually kills most infected trees.
GE salmon a long way from US dinner plate despite FDA approval
For the first time, the FDA has approved the sale and consumption of a genetically engineered animal, the AquAdvantage salmon developed by a Massachusetts company. Although FDA approval is a signal achievement for the biotechnology industry - the first GE crops went on the market in 1996 - it could be years before fillets or steaks from the fast-growing salmon are sold in supermarkets.
Enviros sue Canada over export of GE salmon eggs
Environmental groups went to court in Canada in a bid to block a government-approved plan to produce genetically engineered salmon eggs in Canada for shipment to Panama, where they would grow into fish, says the Guardian.
EU Parliament says no to opt-out power on GE imports
Members of the European Parliament rejected a proposal to let EU countries ban imports of genetically engineered food and livestock feed, potentially killing “an initiative that was greeted with widespread criticism," reports Bloomberg.
FDA clarifies its approach to biotech animals
The Food and Drug Administration, the lead U.S. regulator of genetically engineered animals, issued two documents to clarify its risk-based oversight of the creatures and their developers. The agency exercises varying levels of scrutiny, ranging from full-scale review of an animal and its risk profile to instances in which developers can take an animal directly to market without consulting the FDA.