Bt maize pollen has no effect on bee larvae

Scientists at the University of Würzburg’s Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology have for the first time investigated how well hon… more

Genetically modified Bt maize is safe

Scientists presented a clear conclusion during International Green Week in Berlin: genetically modified Bt maize is as safe as conventional ma… more

Species diversity on farmland

Does the cultivation of GM plants affect biodiversity? This is a topic that has been discussed many times over the years. It is a fact that gl… more

Biosafety research premiere at International Green Week

Darmstadt, 20 Jan. 2012 - Germany’s Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) has been funding biological safety research projects for… more

Plant varieties, weather and farming methods affect the maize ecosystem

For three summers in a row, Eva Schultheis and her team at RWTH Aachen University caught countless insects on the maize trial field and then i… more

Genetically modified Bt maize: New test with bee larvae

Scientists at the University of Würzburg have for the first time investigated how well bee larvae cope with Bt maize pollen under controlled l… more

GM plants in animal feed: No long-term consequences

Meta-study on feeding experiments: The use of GM plants in food and feed is not likely to cause adverse long-term effects, according to the… more

Can a resistance gene taken from wheat provide long-term protection against powdery mildew?

(2007 – 2011) Institut für Pflanzenbiologie, Universität Zürich (UZH) more

What influence does GM wheat have on beneficial soil-dwelling organisms (woodlice)?

(2007 – 2011) Institut für Ökologie und Evolution, Universität Bern more

Abundance

The total number of individuals of a species in a particular area Abundance can be synonymous with population density if the area in question… more

Fruit and vegetables: Forgotten plant diseases

Until now, genetic engineering methods have been used almost exclusively on crops for which there is an international market. Many pathogen… more

Symbiosis

A mutually beneficial close association of different organisms Examples of symbiosis are lichens, which are a community of fungi and algae li… more

Cultivation of GM maize 1507: No concerns, but precautionary measures for butterflies and moths

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has reassessed the environmental safety of GM maize 1507. According to the new evaluation, approving… more

Ploughing, chemicals or Bt maize?

The European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis) is a serious problem for maize farming in Germany. Maize is now grown on 2.5 million hectares and… 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 th… more

Biofortification: Plants instead of pills

Millions of cases of illness and death, especially in developing countries, are caused by a lack of micronutrients like vitamins and trace ele… more

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 ma… more

MON810: Long-term cultivation does not result in an accumulation of Bt protein in the soil

Scientists from the Bavarian State Research Centre for Agriculture (Bayerische Landesanstalt für Landwirtschaft, LfL) and the University of Te… 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.

Bt maize and other non-target organisms

Numerous biosafety research projects have investigated whether genetically modified Bt maize could harm non-target organisms. The Bt protei… more