Effects of Bt maize containing three Bt proteins on micro-organisms in the soil

(2008 – 2011) Johann Heinrich von Thünen-Institut (vTI - the Federal Research Institute for Rural Areas, Forestry and Fisheries), Instit… more

“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… more

Effects of Bt maize on honeybees

(2008 – 2011) University of Würzburg, Dep. of Animal Ecol. & Trop. Biology (Zoology III) more

Impacts of transgenic wheat on herbivorous insects and their antagonists

(2007 – 2011) Agroscope Reckenholz-Tänikon Research Station, Zürich more

Next-generation biotechnological plant-breeding techniques

Companies and research institutes are working on a range of new biotechnological plant-breeding methods. They include Zink Finger Technology a… more

What impact does genetically modified wheat have on beneficial soil-dwelling organisms?

(2007 – 2011) Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Bern more

“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 Afr… more

Authorisations, but still no cultivation

As yet no genetically modified oilseed rape plants are grown on European fields. Authorisations have so far been restricted mainly to the impo… more

An abundance of poplars

Compared with genetically modified agricultural crops, which are already grown commercially throughout the world, transgenic woody plants play… more

Cultivation of genetically modified plants: Few facts; many preconceived ideas

Last week, the European Commission published its report on the possible socio-economic implications of GMO cultivation in Europe. Socio-econom… more

At the forefront: Tailor-made starch potatoes

Since March 2010 a genetically modified (GM-) potato, for which the starch composition has been optimised for industrial purposes, may be cult… more

Boost from double-zero rape

The breakthrough in oilseed rape cultivation came with the new 00 varieties. These were the first varieties to produce a tasty, digestible … more

Nutritious tubers

Erdapfel, Erdbirne, Kantüffel, Krumbeer and Tüfte – the regional names used to describe the potato are almost as diverse as the varietie… more

Outcrossing in wheat over long distances under field conditions

Experiment Field trial, measuring content Measuring the rate of gene flow in wheat in a two-year large-scale field study (trial years: 2002 … more

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 … more

“The environmental effects identified fall within the spectrum for conventional varieties.”

Another funding period for biological safety research into genetically modified plants has come to an end. On 30 March 2011 the results of … more

“‘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. A… more

Renewable raw materials

Organic raw materials from agriculture and forestry, aquaculture or microbial production that are not used for food or animal feed. Renewable… more

Plant protection products

Active chemical or biological substances designed to protect plants against pests Plant protection products include in particular insecticide… more

Insecticide

A substance used to kill harmful insects or their larvae. Insecticides are used in agriculture and forestry, to protect stored products and m… more