Results of biosafety research
Genetically modified barley, which through the introduction of new genes is resistant to harmful fungi, does not negatively affect beneficial fungi or therefore plant growth. In addition, according to the results of a multi-year study at the University of Giessen, it appears that targeted gene modifications affect plants far less than classic breeding or environmental factors. From 2005 to 2010 in the course of biosafety research, two genetically modified barley lines were tested in the field, greenhouse and laboratory. GMO Safety spoke with Karl-Heinz Kogel from the University of Giessen.
News
"The impact of transgenes is basically limited to their immediate function"
It is often maintained that genetic interventions may have unintended consequences for the metabolism of modified plants and by implication for human health and the environment as well. A recently completed research project compared gene expression and plant substances in different conventional and transgenic barley lines. GMO Safety discussed the findings with Uwe Sonnewald, one of the project leaders.more
Research Grain
“There are hopes that resistances can be created using individual targetable genes.”
Genetically modified cereal no longer seems to be a topical issue. But research is still going on. GMO Safety spoke to Karl-Heinz Kogel from the University of Giessen about the key areas of research and the approaches involvedmore
Research Grain
Drought-tolerant wheat: “Promising results”
Systematic field trials with drought-resistant wheat have been carried out since 2007 in Australia. GMO Safety spoke to German Spangenberg, research director at the Victorian Department of Primary Industries in South-Eastern Australia, about previous results, the impacts of climate change on global cereal production and the need for innovative agricultural research.more
News
Genetically modified wheat: No influence on insect larvae and aphids
Two projects of the Swiss National Research Program “Benefits and Risks of the deliberate release of Genetically Modified Plants” (NFP 59) have investigated the possible effects of fungus-resistant genetically modified wheat on fly larvae and aphids. The results have now been published in two scientific journals: The GM wheat had no influence on the development of the animals, or on mortality or reproduction.more
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Topics
- Gene flow
- Beneficial fungi/Mycorrhizas
- Protein enrichment
- Further unexpected effects
- Drought tolerant
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Research projects
Biological Safety of genetically modified grain (2005-2008)
GM Wheat and Gene Bank Gatersleben
Interview with the head of the gene bank, Prof. Andreas Graner (March 2007)
Stinking wheat smut
Developing a new concept for combating loose smut of wheat, a fungal disease (Switzerland, 2004). The film is a joint project of the Institute of Plant Sciences, ETH Zürich an the Alimentarium Food Museum, Vevey.
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