US farmers encounter super weeds

Farmers who expanded their farm size are finding it difficult to manage the larger operations as additional time is required for weed management. The U.S. Congress got an earful from farmers, university researchers and pro-food groups during the first round of hearings into the increase in super weeds. The weeds are becoming resistant to commonly used pesticide- glyphosate.

The eyes and ears of the U.S. House of Representatives in the case of super weeds is the Domestic Policy Oversight Subcommittee. Hearings were called in July 2010 to evaluate the impact of genetically modified, herbicide-resistant crops on the environment and on the abundance and quality of the U.S. food supply.

The problem first started in 2005 when farmers encountered with glyphosate resistance in marestail and lambsquarters in both soybean and corn crops. Since there has been considerable discussion about weeds developing resistance to Roundup Ready GM crops.  According to media reports, despite well documented proof that glyphosate tolerant weeds were becoming a significant problem, a Monsanto scientist denied that resistance existed and instructed that application rates be increased. When this proved ineffectual, farmers are forced to turn to alternative methods for weed management including the use of tillage.

GM chicken experiment stopped

A central government committee has taken action against the Hyderabad institute for carrying out experiment to create India's first genetically modified (GM) chickens in violation of government rules. When a government panel found the experiment was conducted without proper bio-safety conditions, it ordered the destruction of the GM chickens and has pressed for further action against the institute. The Directorate of Poultry, Hyderabad had carried out a pilot study to derive better quality and disease-resistant chickens by inserting into them the green fluorescent protein, a new gene through sperm meditation.

However, India's GM regulator Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) was told in June this year that the experiment was violating bio-safety conditions. The GEAC constituted a panel to verify the claims. The panel found the institute had not appointed a Biosafety Committee which is mandatory for GM experiments in India. In all, 263 chicks were hatched for the experiment of which 16 were found positive for the gene protein. Of these, seven died earlier, and the committee ordered the remaining nine, seven males and two females to be destroyed by autoclaving. It was done to ensure that these chickens do not become hazardous for other poultry. The committee also got the tissues and biological samples, preserved for future experiments, destroyed.