genetic engineering

A group of scientists says it has sequenced the coffee genome, reports the Washington Post, opening the door to breeding disease-resistant coffee plants, naturally decaffeinated coffee "and even genetic engineering." The consortium says their genetic map, when compared to chocolate, show the plants followed separate paths to producing caffeine, which suggests it is a valuable trait.

The food industry and agribusiness allies that oppose labeling of GMO foods spent $27.5 million in the first half of this year on lobbying that involved labeling, triple the amount they spent last year, says the Environmental Working Group. "The burst of lobbying by food and biotechnology companies was partly designed to muster Congressional support for legislation that would block states from requiring GE labeling on food packages," said EWG, known for its database of farm subsidy recipients.

In a 149-page environmental assessment, the Agriculture Department says untoward impacts "are unlikely" from a field test of genetically engineered diamondback moths.

The Agriculture Department set a 30-day comment period on its environmental assessment of a proposed release of genetically engineered diamondback moths in upstate New York.

Skeptics of genetically engineered crops will speak during a National Research Council meeting on Sept 15 and 16. A panel of experts was appointed by the council to look at the record of GE crops and future prospects.

China's agriculture ministry "vowed zero tolerance and harsh punishments for illegal sales and growing of genetically modified (GM) crops days after media exposure of GM rice on sale at a supermarket in central China," says China Daily. Biotech rice is not approved for use in the country.

An article in The Guardian turns a skeptical eye to arguments against genetically engineered foods and the advocacy groups that present them. "The reason is that advocacy groups - no matter what the issue - are not immune to pressures like other social institutions...the arguments of NGOs should be subjected to the skepticism and fact-checking that is brought to bear on the claims made by business or government," says the article.

Proponents of a referendum in Colorado to require labels on foods made with genetically modified organisms say they will have enough signatures to put the question on the November election ballot. The Colorado Statesman says the Right to Know initiative must submit 86,105 valid signatures by Aug 4; the group says it already has 90,000 signatures.

Consumer Reports announced a campaign today to bar the use of the word "natural" on food products. There is no way at present to verify "natural" and Consumer Reports say its nationwide poll shows shoppers...

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack is on a whirlwind tour of Europe this week with the goal of expanding trans-Atlantic agricultural trade.

Farm and baking industry groups in Canada, Australia and the United States, who account for 45 percent of world wheat exports, called for commercialization of genetically engineered wheat.

The agriculture sector should broaden its coalitions so it can land more research money, said Dan Glickman, former agriculture secretary, in a speech at the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Passage of a referendum that bans GMO crops in Jackson County, Ore, "deepened a cultural chasm in the greater Rogue Valley" over the direction of agriculture, says the Portland Oregonian. Opponents say the ban threatens their livelihoods and blame newcomer organic farmers.

A bill to require labels on food containing GMOs was approved the a California Senate committee and could be called for a floor vote this week, says the Lake County News. State Sen. Noreen Evans said the bill, SB1381, is a response to consumer demand to know what is in food.

Virginia Quarterly Review, in an article titled "Linux for Lettuce," delves into the arguments over open-source seeds available to anyone and the practice of some seed companies to patent their products. The story opens with cases of plant breeders who independently developed plant varieties or shared their results with others but later learned a company had patented the trait they had developed.

Gov Peter Shumlin signed the first-in-the-nation state law requiring labels on foods made with genetically engineered ingredients. The law takes effect on July 1, 2016, and a court challenge is expected from foodmakers and seed companies.

A panel of scientists reviewed the arguments over labeling genetically engineered foods and concluded, "There is no science-based reason to single out GE foods and feeds for mandatory process-based labeling...

The Vermont House overwhelmingly passed a law requiring labels on food made with genetically engineered ingredients and sent it to the governor, who is expected to sign it.