Month: October 2012

Prop. 37: More information is good, but rampant litigation isn’t, says GM supporter

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While outsiders will try, it’s hard to generalize about Californians. The most populous state in the nation is as diverse and divergent as a Bakersfield oil field roustabout and a Big Sur masseuse.

But it’s safe to say Californians are concerned – more concerned than others, even – about what goes into our food. The Central Valley is the nation’s green grocer. Our restaurants are at the leading edge of world cuisine. Our commitment to sustainable agriculture and eating locally sourced food is second to none.

Our passion for safe and additive-free foods makes California a natural place for activists to push a measure such Proposition 37 on the Nov. 6 ballot, the Genetically Engineered Foods Labeling Initiative. It would require labeling some foods in grocery stores (but not all: meat and dairy are exempt) if they are made from plants or animals that include genetically modified organisms. No other state has such a measure, though some other countries do.

View the original article here: No on Prop. 37: More information is good, but rampant litigation isn’t – San Bernardino Sun

Study shows epigenetics of adult stem cells influences organ creation

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A team led by Manel Esteller, director of the Cancer Epigenetics and Biology Program in the Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), was able to identify epigenetic changes that occur in the somatic stem cells to generate different body tissues.

The use of somatic or adult stem cells had been a regular occurrence since their discovery in the 1950’s. It was then that researchers found that bone marrow contains two different kinds of stem cells. The first, called hematopoietic stem cells, form all the types of blood cells in the body. The second, known as bone marrow stromal stem cells, were discovered only a few years later and are effective in the generation of bone, cartilage, fat and fibrous connective tissues.

View the original article here: Study Shows Epigenetics Of Adult Stem Cells Influences Organ Creation – RedOrbit

Does Prop 37 bar “natural” labeling of non-GM foods?

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The first sentence of California’s Proposition 37 sums up its essence: “California consumers have the right to know whether the foods they purchase were produced using genetic engineering”.

But San Francisco lawyer Michael Steel contends one of the provisions in the labeling initiative would impact foods that aren’t even genetically modified. Section 110809.1, forbidding the labeling of certain defined foods as “natural” or bearing similar words, applies to “processed” foods.

The question is whether processed foods that are not genetically modified also are subject to the labeling prohibition titled “Misbranding of Genetically Engineered Foods as ‘Natural'”. As you would expect, lawyers don’t agree on the answer.

View the original article here: Does Prop 37 bar “natural” labeling of non-GM foods?

Generic biotech crops jeopardized by over-regulation

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The Competitive Enterprise Institute released a new study finding that regulatory policy could inhibit the development of a generic market for biotech seeds once patents on those varieties expires.

Over the next decade, the patents on nearly two dozen of the most popular biotech crop traits will expire, and farmers in the U.S. and abroad are eager to get access to low-cost, generic versions of those seeds. But most biotech crop traits must be reapproved every three to five years, and the process requires applicants to have access to confidential business information held by the original product developers. This establishes a potentially impassable roadblock to the future of affordable, generic biotech products.

View the original article here: Generic biotech crops jeopardized by over-regulation – Western Farm Press

Plant stem cells: The next generation in skin care technology

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Since the dawn of time, humans have stumbled upon various natural ways to keep their skin youthful-looking—even if they didn’t know why a certain method worked. Cleopatra’s milk baths maintained her beauty, and it is known today that the lactic acid in the milk served as a gentle exfoliant. The ancient people of the Mediterranean and Middle East treated their skin and hair with the olives they cultivated; today it is known that the olive’s flavanoid polyphenols are powerful antioxidants. For centuries in Japan, Kabuki performers and geisha removed their makeup and fought hyperpigmentation with nightingale droppings; today it is known that the droppings contain natural enzymes, such as guanine, an amino acid with ammonic bleaching qualities. And the list goes on.

View the original article here: Plant Stem Cells: The Next Generation in Skin Care Technology – SkinInc.com

Finding the common GM ground

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I’m often asked why I don’t take a strong position on the GM debate – its either the best thing since sliced bread, or a disaster similar to asbestos waiting to happen – right?

Unfortunately, in real life things are a little more complex than that. The latest furore surrounding a study finding rats fed GM corn developed serious liver and kidney issues is merely another in an ongoing propaganda war that needs to be reined in by an independent umpire.

Both proponents and opponents of GM are so entangled in the bitter war of words that its nigh on impossible to get any objective comment on the issue, with arguments having their pros and cons. To the crux of the matter – do I think GM food crops should be allowed? The short answer is yes, but that does not mean a free-for-all of commercialisation of GM food crops.

View the original article here: Finding the common GM ground – Stock and Land (blog)

Russia bans all GM corn imports; EU may also ban Monsanto GMO

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Russia has now officially banned all imports of genetically modified corn, citing concerns from a recent study by French researchers showing rats grew massive cancer tumors when fed a lifetime of Monsanto’s genetically modified corn.

Russia’s consumer protection group, Rospotrebnadzor, said it was halting all imports of GM corn while the country’s Institute of Nutritionwill be evaluating the results of the study.

View the original article here: Russia bans all GM corn imports; EU may also ban Monsanto GMO …

Single gene may hold key to life itself?

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“Your IQ depends on a single gene”; “Long life is all in the genes”; “A gene that could explain why the red mist descends”; “Sleeping is all in the genes”; “Scientists ID morning person gene”; “The Twitter gene.”

Those are real, published headlines. Up until the last one, I’d forgive you for thinking they appeared in the 1910s, rather than the 2010s. Contemporary science has a far more sophisticated understanding of genetics than a century ago — and complexity is one of its central features. We know nothing is “all in the genes,” let alone one gene. Why then do such headlines persist?

View the original article here: Single Gene May Hold Key to Life Itself – Center for Genetics and …

The genetics of white finger disease

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Vibration-induced white finger disease (VWF) is caused by continued use of vibrating hand held machinery (high frequency vibration >50 Hz), and affects tens of thousands of people. New research published in BioMed Central’s open access journal Clinical Epigenetics finds that people with a genetic polymorphism (A2191G) in sirtuin1 (SIRT1), a protein involved in the regulation of endothelial NOS (eNOS), are more likely to suffer from vibration-induced white finger disease.

VWF (also known as hand arm vibration syndrome (HAVS)) is a secondary form of Raynaud’s disease involving the blood vessels and nerves of arms, fingers and hands. Affected fingers feel stiff and cold and loose sensation for the duration of the attack, which can be very painful. Loss of sensation can make it difficult to carry out manual activities. Initially attacks are triggered by cold temperatures but as the disease progresses attacks can occur at any time.

View the original article here: The genetics of white finger disease – Science Codex

Mexicans protest against genetically modified corn

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A theatrical protest in Mexico City against genetically modified corn. Scores of people took to the streets of the capital Saturday – including this man, dressed as an arch-capitalist. They are denouncing a government decision allowing multi-national companies to grow genetically altered maize. Protesters say this will drive the country’s small corn producers into bankruptcy and imperil Mexico’s native varities of corn.

View the original article here: Mexicans protest against genetically modified corn – Vision Insights and New Horizons

Chemotherapy may be creating cancer stem cells

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Cancer treatments may be creating more dangerous and persistent cancer cells that are resistant to both chemotherapy and radiation. Three new studies have recently shown that cancer cells, like other cells in the body, have stem cells that give rise to the tumor.

The cancer stem cells are thought to be more dangerous because they can repair damaged DNA and survive during the treatment.

A recent study has found a subpopulation of cells that showed properties of cancer stem cells and resistance to cancer treatments like chemotherapy. This research showed that the stem cells that didn’t divide and form other cells remained chemo-resistant while other cells that differentiate died after chemotherapy.

View the original article here: Chemotherapy May Be Creating Cancer Stem Cells – Medical Daily

Genetic traces of extinct human species discovered

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DNA collected from modern hunter-gatherers — the Pygmies of Cameroon, the Sandawe and Hadza of Tanzania, and the Khoe-San of southern Africa — is suggesting a new narrative of our human roots. This more complicated scenario traces our roots to a fractured collection of ethnic groups who periodically interbred across the lines.

View the original article here: Genetic traces of extinct human species discovered

Napiergrass: A potential biofuel crop?

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A grass fed to cattle throughout much of the tropics may become a biofuel crop that helps the nation meet its future energy needs, according to a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) scientist. Napiergrass (Pennisetum purpureum) is fairly drought-tolerant, grows well on marginal lands, and filters nutrients out of runoff in riparian areas, according to William Anderson, a geneticist in the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Crop Genetics and Breeding Research Unit in Tifton, Ga. ARS is USDA’s principal intramural scientific research agency, and this research supports the USDA priority of developing new sources of bioenergy.

View the original article here: Napiergrass: A potential biofuel crop

Livestock genetics could be a valuable resource

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Farm animal genetic resources are not only valued significantly for their current economic, environmental services social and cultural roles but also as sources of genetic variability to mitigate unpredicted future production systems’ needs and challenges such as climate changes and consumer preferences.

It is pertinent to understand and comprehensively characterise them as well as the environment in which they are kept or managed, said Provincial Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Malik Ahmad Ali Aulakh while addressing an international seminar on phenotypic and molecular characterisation of indigenous chicken, goats and their wild relatives organised by the Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics (ABG) at the University of Agriculture Faisalabad on Monday.

View the original article here: Livestock genetics could be a valuable resource

Farmers say Switzerland is not ready for GM crops

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The farming community in Switzerland is not opposed in principle to genetically modified (GM) plants. But growing GM plants is unthinkable in the present situation and the national moratorium should be extended till 2017, says the Swiss Farmers’ Association.

View the original article here: Farmers say Switzerland is not ready for GM crops

Australia: New joint initiative to promote biotech and GM in agriculture

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A new industry group, the Agricultural Biotechnology Council of Australia (ABCA) has been formed to promote and encourage debate on the use of biotechnology and gene technology in agriculture in Australia.

The bodies collaborating to form the council are AusBiotech, CropLife Australia, Grains Research and Development Corporation and the National Farmers’ Federation.

View the original article here: Australia: New joint initiative to promote biotech and GM in agriculture

‘Semi-dwarf’ trees may enable a green revolution for some forest crops

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The same “green revolution” concepts that have revolutionized crop agriculture and helped to feed billions of people around the world may now offer similar potential in forestry, scientists say, with benefits for wood, biomass production, drought stress and even greenhouse gas mitigation.  Researchers at Oregon State University recently outlined the latest findings on reduced height growth in trees through genetic modification, and concluded that several advantageous growth traits could be achieved for short-rotation forestry, bioenergy, or more efficient water use in a drier, future climate.

Does the Seralini corn study fiasco mark a turning point in the debate over GM food?

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Are anti-biotech campaigners the leftwing version of climate change deniers? The science media are finally confronting the distortions perpetrated by anti-GM advocacy groups and illiberal “progressive” journalists and bloggers. Jon Entine, executive director of the Genetic Literacy Project, reports.

View the original article here: Does the Seralini corn study fiasco mark a turning point in the debate over GM food?

Association between obesity and consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages

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It’s hardly shocking, but a National Institutes of Health funded study finds that people with a genetic proclivity for obesity who drink sugar-sweetened beverages are more likely to gain weight than those without those traits. Other research has showed that switching to diet drinks from a sugary ones may help kids control weight gain.

Additional Resources:

View the original article here: Association between obesity and consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages

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