News
Genetically modified Bt maize is safe
During International Green Week in Berlin, scientists presented a clear conclusion drawn from 25 years of biosafety research: genetically modified Bt maize is as safe as conventional maize. (Jan 27, 2012) more…
Genetically modified Bt maize: New test with bee larvae
Scientists at the University of Würzburg publish results: No difference between bee larvae fed on conventional and Bt maize pollen. (Jan 6, 2012) more…
Cultivation of GM maize 1507: No concerns, but precautionary measures for butterflies and moths
EFSA publishes an expanded and updated risk assessment on genetically modified Bt maize 1507. New attempt to authorise cultivation in the EU. (Dec 2, 2011) more…
Experts call for changes to EU genetic engineering legislatation
Member states to be given greater decision-making powers for GMO cultivation authorisations, but majority of national governments oppose the proposal. (Oct 31, 2011) more…
Is glyphosate dangerous? Anti-herbicide campaign on shaky ground
US scientist on lecture tour – German government: Current data do not justify a suspension or restriction of the glyphosate authorisation. (Oct 17, 2011) more…
USA: Genetically modified oilseed rape found on uncultivated land
When genetically modified oilseed rape is grown on a large scale, the plants also grow on uncultivated land. According to a recent study, around 80 per cent of oilseed rape plants found along verges and at filling stations are genetically modified. (Oct 10, 2011) more…
A study with omissions
Germany’s organic food industry association questions risk assessments of genetically modified plants (Sep 27, 2011) more…
First resistant corn rootworms found in the USA
Scientists find living corn rootworms and corn rootworm feeding damage in fields of genetically modified Bt maize. Extent of resistance not yet known. (Sep 16, 2011) more…
Will it now be impossible to grow genetically modified plants outdoors?
Following the ECJ honey ruling: Politicians and associations call for safety distances of up to ten kilometres between GM fields and beehives. Beekeepers fear for their livelihoods. (Sep 15, 2011) more…
ECJ: French ban on MON810 maize has no legal basis
European Court of Justice sets narrow limits on national cultivation bans for GM plants. Only admissible in the case of “a clear risk to human and animal health or the environment”. (Sep 9, 2011) more…
Food crops fortified with micronutrients
Millions of cases of illness and death, especially in developing countries, are caused by a lack of micronutrients like vitamins and trace elements. For this reason, nutritional supplements and industrially fortified foods are distributed in many developing and emerging nations. Now scientists are working on ways of fortifying the most important food crops with e.g. provitamin A, zinc and iron. Some of the methods used involve genetic engineering.
Research Results
“The pollen quantities that led to higher mortality rates in caterpillars in the laboratory were not detected in the field.”
Can butterflies be harmed by genetically modified Bt maize? This was the question that Mechthild Schuppener from RWTH Aachen University investigated in a three-year research project. She conducted a feeding study in the laboratory to find out how sensitive caterpillars are to Bt maize pollen. In the field, the scientist investigated how much maize pollen lands on butterflies’ food plants under natural conditions and examined where butterfly nests are to be found in farming areas. GMO Safety spoke to Mechthild Schuppener about the findings of her research project. more
Research Maize
Does Bt protein persist or break down during the agricultural cycle?
When genetically modified Bt maize is cultivated, Bt protein enters the soil via root exudates, harvest residues and pollen deposits. If Bt maize is used as cattle feed, Bt protein could also enter the soil through liquid manure spread on the fields. Scientists from the Bavarian State Research Centre for Agriculture (Bayerische Landesanstalt für Landwirtschaft) and the University of Technology in Munich (TUM) have for the first time investigated what happens to the Bt protein throughout the agricultural cycle – from cultivation to animal feed, to the spreading of liquid manure and the following crop. They were able to gain important insights into the breakdown and persistence of Bt protein in the soil following long-term Bt maize cultivation. more
Research Live
Bees in stress test
Bees are swarming around a pot containing yellow pollen feed. The newly emerged worker bees are obviously hungry. Over the next four weeks they will have to make do with pollen from just one maize variety. They are part of a feeding experiment being conducted at the University of Würzburg. A team at the Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology is conducting a series of laboratory experiments to investigate whether bees can digest pollen from genetically modified Bt maize. more
Debate
“Ethical and social considerations belong in the political arena.”
In the European debate about genetically modified plants there has for some time been a call for decisions concerning the cultivation of these plants to pay greater attention to the potential benefits and social and ethical aspects. Whether it is desirable and possible to stop basing decisions exclusively on the principle of risk prevention and the results of biosafety research is a matter of some discussion. GMO Safety spoke to Alfons Bora of the Institute of Science and Technology Research in Bielefeld about the position of scientific experts in politics and about the role of biosafety research in the public debate. more
Basic info
“It is our aim to promote the responsible use of genetically modified organisms”
So far only three countries in Africa are cultivating genetically modified crops, namely South Africa, Burkina Faso and Egypt. In South Africa, the major African biotech country, genetically modified cotton, maize and soybeans are cultivated on 2.2 million hectares. GMO Safety spoke with Anita Burger from the national Biosafety South Africa platform about genetically modified crops and biosafety in South Africa.more
Debate
“‘Creation’ is not a stop sign, but a call to act responsibly.”
In the debate about the accountability of plant genetic engineering, ethical and moral arguments play a role as well as scientific criteria. Among them, there is much talk about ‘safeguarding creation’. Critics of plant genetic engineering in particular use this as an argument to try to place restrictions on a purely functional approach to nature. - GMO Safety spoke to Dr Stephan Schleissing of the Institut Technik-Theologie-Naturwissenschaften (Technology-Theology-Natural Sciences Institute) about the nature of the public debate surrounding plant genetic engineering, about ethical perspectives and ways of achieving a better culture of dialogue. more
Focus
Fish, pigs and mosquitoes: Genetic engineering in animals
No genetically modified animals are currently used in agriculture. However, there are a number of animals under development that have been genetically engineered to achieve faster growth rates or better disease resistance, and transgenic insects are being developed to combat plant pests and diseases.more
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Interview with four experts:
World population growing, the climate changing and resources diminishing. Agriculture and plant breeding are facing new challenges.
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Bt maize and honey bees
Interactive maize field
Genetically modified Bt maize: A risk for bees, butterflies, earthworms…?
Barley: Biosafety research results
From 2005 to 2010 two genetically modified barley lines were tested on undesired side effects. GMO Safety spoke with Karl-Heinz Kogel from the University of Giessen.
Research Bt maize 2005-2008: The results
GM Maize?
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