New study: Bt maize not harmful to ladybirds

Genetically modified maize has no harmful impacts on the two-spotted ladybird. This is the finding of a scientific study published in August 2010. It contradicts a similar study published in 2008, which the German minister of agriculture, Ilse Aigner, cited when justifying the German ban on cultivating MON810 Bt maize.

Western corn rootworm found in North Rhine-Westphalia for the first time

The North Rhine-Westphalian Ministry of Agriculture announced that eight Western corn rootworm specimens had been found in Cologne. Until then, the beetle had been found only in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg.

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 presented at the Ecological Society of America conference in Pittsburgh, 86 per cent of canola plants, a variety of oilseed rape, found on verges and at petrol stations are genetically modified

Quality standards for safety research – Environmental groups pull out

Biosafety research was at the heart of the fourth round table on plant genetics at Germany’s Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). As always, opinion differ widely on the subject. The environmental groups pulled out of the meeting shortly before it was due to be held on 7 July 2010 in Berlin.

Cultivation of genetically modified crops: European Commission plans renationalisation

On 13 July the European Commission will decide on new regulations for plant genetic engineering. The key issue is that EU member states are to be granted the freedom to ban the cultivation of genetically modified crops on their own territory.

"The phenomenon is as old as crop protection itself"

In China and USA were a number of reports of secondary pests in Bt plants. Their natural competitors have been decimated through cultivation of Bt maize. Does the cultivation of Bt crops entail risks that have been overlooked until now? Questions put to Johannes Jehle.

Schavan: “Applying all research methods for safeguarding world food – also gene technology”

For the third time, the Federal Minister for Research, Annette Schavan held a round table discussion on plant genetics in Berlin. This time the topic was the safeguarding world food and the demands on agricultural and plant research that arose from this.

EU makes decision on approval, countries on cultivation

The EU Commission has apparently finalised the long-awaited new regulations for approval and cultivation of genetically modified plants. On 13 July 2010, voting is meant to take place on the proposals drawn up by the consumer protection commissioner John Dalli.

Release of genetically modified eucalyptus approved

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) approved field trials with 200,000 genetically modified eucalyptus trees in seven states. The trials are testing new traits: male sterility, cold resistance and a lower lignin content.

Long-term study: Cultivation of Bt maize does not affect earthworms

Earthworms are not affected by genetically modified Bt maize even after several years of cultivation. - Ecologists from the USA and Switzerland have investigated the effects of different Bt maize lines on the earthworm populations.

"The impact of transgenes is basically limited to their immediate function"

Conventional breeding causes more changes in plants than genetic engineering, a fact demonstrated in barley plants by scientists from Nuremberg and Giessen. Uwe Sonnewald discusses the research findings.

USA: Genetically modified plants have the potential to reduce ecological damage

The National Academy in the USA has published studies on Green gene technology. GM plants are beneficial for both farmers and the environment. Long-term advantages can only be achieved through appropriate culivation techniques.

Resistant pests found in India

Scientists working in the Indian state of Gujarat have discovered resistant pests in Bt cotton fields. Indian experts are now calling for more efficient measures to prevent or at least slow down a further spread of the resistance.

Genetically modified wheat: No influence on insect larvae and aphids

TFirst results of the Swiss research programme “Benefits and Risks of the deliberate release of Genetically Modified Plants” published.

Cultivation of genetically modified plants: Member States should decide for themselves

EU Commission: Plans up to summer. – Amflora potato: First approval for cultivation in the EU since 1998.

TILLING: The ‘good’ alternative to genetic engineering?

A new breeding method is acceptable even to biotechnology critics. Does TILLING make genetic engineering methods superfluous for plant breeding?

India: No approval for genetically modified aubergines

Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh announces an indefinite moratorium on the cultivation of Bt brinjal and demands more public research into GM plants.

USA: ‘Superweeds’ encouraged by GM plants?

Farmers in the US are increasingly facing problems with herbicide-resistant weeds. A recent study blames the problem on the cultivation of genetically modified crops.

Butterflies and moths barely affected, even with large-scale cultivation of Bt maize

Scientists from five European countries have developed a mathematical model for predicting the risk to butterflies and moths from genetically modified Bt maize.

Genetically modified canola in Australia: "Coexistence is a question of the market."

Interview with Christopher Preston at the University of Adelaide about coexistence between GM and conventional canola cultivations.