Data of transgenic brinjal made public

August 25, 2008: GEAC has published information on biosafety studies of Bt brinjal, developed by MAHYCO, on its official website. According to media reports quoting Department of Biotechnology officials,  the data was sent by the company which was analyzed by the department and forwarded to the GEAC. Greenpeace, which had filed an RTI application to make biosafety data public says the data looks comprehensive. However there is no official notification  nor any assurance of its completeness from the authorities. 

While GM opponents are fighting for a liability regime for damages arising from GMOs,  farmers in one US  county have filed a lawsuit against several chemical companies alleging loss of money because of GM rice. The lawsuit alleges that Bayer  planted and tested GM rice including LL601, to help   farmers battle weeds that negatively affected their profit margins.  From 1996 to 2001, Bayer planted and tested LL601 and other GM rice varieties. Then in 2001 decided not to market LL601 because of concerns that the GM rice would not be accepted by consumers in the US and other countries..     

GM vegetables in Ghana to benefit farmers? 

Aug 22 : A discussion paper from the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) finds that genetic modification of tomato, cabbage, and African eggplant (Solanum aethiopicum) has the potential to alleviate poverty in Ghana by reducing yield losses from pests and diseases, and by reducing health risks from the application of hazardous chemicals. Tomatoes, cabbage, and  egg plants are important crops for small-scale farmers and migrants in the rural and semi-urban areas of Ghana.

Researchers seek permission for planting GM trees

Scientists plan to plant hundreds of GM trees for biofuel research despite widespread ecological fears. Researchers in the UK have sought permission to plant GM poplars on land owned by the Forestry Commission. The poplars have been altered to grow faster and make them more suitable for the production of the biofuel ethanol. If approved,  this would be the first attempt to cultivate GM trees in the UK since 1999. 

Clueless G-8 food policy for food crisis

In June, the G-8 countries met in Japan with the world food crisis in the spotlight. However there are many unanswered question like: Does the G-8 really understand the food crisis? Does the G-8 propose anything in the way of solutions to the food crisis, or what caused the problem in the first place? Critics point to  failed policies like removing export restrictions and increased access to GM crops in food-deficit countries etc.

Australia divided over GM crops 

Aug 21 : The Western Australian Government has joined South Australia in extending the moratorium on GM food crops for another four years. South Australia is a major canola producing state not growing  commercial GM canola varieties. On the other hand Victoria and New South Wales recently lifted the moratorium on GM canola and are growing GM varieties from this year. The decision was  opposed by civil society organizations. 

Brazil approves Bayer’s GM cotton seed

Aug 21 : CTNBio, Brazil’s biosafety regulator, has approved the use of Bayer's herbicide tolerant GM cotton seed. However the seed must still be approved by Brazil’s Agriculture Ministry before can be used for cultivation. Any objections to the decision would  be examined by the National Biosafety Council and can be raised within 30 days.