Monarch butterflies: A threat to individual caterpillars, but not to the population as a whole

Renewed discussion of Bt maize and monarch butterflies: A recently published study has revealed that, in the long-term, pollen from Bt maize c… more

The AgroBioTechnikum in Groß Lüsewitz opens its doors.

After two years in construction, the AgroBio-Technikum, a centre for agro-biotechnological research was officially opened in Groß Lüsewitz, ne… more

Red-green have the final say

(26 Nov.) The new Genetic Engineering Act has been passed. By achieving the necessary ‘chancellor’s majority’, the red-green… more

Coexistence rules - consensus

In the Netherlands, agricultural, plant-breeding and consumer umbrella organisations have agreed on rules for the cultivation of genetically m… more

EFSA holds its ground: No objections

On 20 October 2004 the Scientific Committee on Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO Panel) of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) once ag… more

Statement secures agreement

(29 Oct.) The German Ministry of Consumer Protection, Food and Agriculture (BMVEL) has issued a statement establishing its position regarding … more

Mediation Committee fails to reach compromise

(27 Oct.) On its second attempt, the Mediation Committee of Bundestag and Bundesrat has passed the red-green Genetic Engineering Act. With its… more

Only ground maize to be imported as a precaution

Three years ago an article published in the prestigious journal Nature sparked intense scientific and political debate. Two Californian scient… more

International biosafety research

(30 Sept) Every two years experts from the field of biosafety research come together for a major symposium. After Beijing two years ago, it is… more

More amendments to Genetic Engineering Act after all?

(23 September) The Mediation Committee of the Bundestag and Bundesrat has postponed its discussion of the Genetic Engineering Act. As a result… more

Rationality and radical criticism

(15. Sept.) For three days Cologne has been playing host to one of the world’s most important conferences on agricultural biotechnology.… more

GM maize varieties in the EU catalogue of varieties

(08 Sept.2004) The first genetically modified plant varieties have been inscribed in the Common EU Catalogue of Varieties of Agricultural Plan… more

European Commission in agreement

(08 Sept. 2004) Just before the start of its regular meeting, the EU Commission dropped the planned decision on permitted threshold values for… more

Brussels demands redraft

(30 July 2004) In an official statement, the European Commission has criticised the German government’s draft Genetic Engineering Act, w… more

Bundesrat wants ‘thorough review’

(9 July 2004) The draft Genetic Engineering Act proposed by the red-green majority in the Bundestag has been referred to the Mediation Committ… more

“We want to make ourselves known.”

It was a first: for the first time the annual status seminar on biosafety research took place not amongst an inner circle of scientists but in… more

Potatoes destroyed

(25 June) In the early hours of 22 June unknown perpetrators completely destroyed a trial field of genetically modified potatoes. The Max Plan… more

Liability and site register without Bundesrat approval

(17/18 June) The red-green coalition government has split the draft Genetic Engineering Act into two parts in order to avoid the requirement f… more

No compromise in sight

(1 June 2004) On 27 May the German government brought its proposed new Genetic Engineering Act before the Bundestag. The ensuing debate in the… more

What constitutes ecological damage?

When genetically modified plants are grown, they interact with the surrounding ecosystem. Once released into the environment, their spread can… more