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Global Gene Editing Regulation Tracker

Our interactive GLP global map explains the status of each country’s regulations for human and agricultural gene editing and gene drives.
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Month: May 2013

Bryan Walsh: Modifying the endless debate over genetically modified crops

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The following is an edited excerpt.

I’ll admit—I’ve never quite understood the obsession surrounding genetically modified (GM) crops.

To environmentalist opponents, GM foods are simply evil, an understudied, possibly harmful tool used by big agribusiness to control global seed markets and crush local farmers. They argue that GM foods have never delivered on their supposed promise, that money spent on GM crops would be better funneled to organic farming and that consumers should be protected with warning labels on any products that contain genetically modified ingredients.

To supporters, GM crops are a key part of the effort to sustainably provide food to meet a global population that is growing by the billions. But more than that, supporters see the knee-jerk GM opposition of many environmentalists as fundamentally anti-science, no different than the deniers on the other side of the political spectrum who question the basics of man-made climate change.

Read the original article in its entirety here: Modifying the Endless Debate Over Genetically Modified Crops

 

UK Telegraph: Promise of GE to feed the world is overblown

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The following is an edited excerpt.

Genetic modification has so far mainly been confined to developing crops that tolerate herbicides (often manufactured by the same company, thus encouraging their use) and resist pests. They have done little to increase yields per se – though they have helped by controlling weeds and insects – while varieties designed to withstand drought and floods, and improve nutrition, are only now beginning to emerge.

GM may be able to do jobs that more conventional techniques cannot manage: conferring heat resistance to cope with global warming is one candidate. But the impression often given by its proponents that it is the main source of new crops, and thus essential to feed the world, could hardly be further from the truth.

Nor is biotechnology all GM. The Nerica rices, for example, owe their existence to cell tissue culture. Scuba rice was produced through the technique of marker-assisted selection, which identifies and enables the use of a whole sequence of genes.

Read the original article in its entirety here: The inconvenient truth about GM

Uganda: Genetic modification in crops a natural process of survival

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The following is an edited excerpt.

For organisms to adapt to changing environment, they at times undergo genetic modifications. Naturally, this occurs through gene mutation which involves alterations, insertions or deletions of genes. The resultant change can then be passed from one generation to the next in case it takes place in the gametes. Mutation is a random process that results in some traits, which may be lethal, less desirable or neutral.

Modern biotechnology that involves genetic engineering helps to bridge the gap between the unpredictable mutation and the predictable mutation. That is, from gene mutating randomly for its own survival to man mutating genes for his survival. This process brings about genetically modified organisms.

Modern Biotechnology shortens this process and makes even certain traits that would be difficult to transfer through cross breeding possible. For example, some banana varieties are sterile and sexually isolated from others and they can only be propagated vegetatively. Gene transfer through genetic engineering is, therefore, a good option of improving bananas.

Biotechnology is only an additional method; it is suitable in situations which outstretch conventional means.

Read the original article in its entirety here: Genetic modification in crops a natural process of survival

GE foods have to take two steps to gain approval in Europe

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The following is an edited excerpt.

The Frankenfood brawl has never been about science and safety but trust and choice, mixed with a dash of anti-Americanism and European political grandstanding. The question is what to do?

First, the biotech industry ought to stop fighting a labeling war that it lost in Europe more than a decade ago. No matter that science convincingly shows that genetically modified (GM) farming is environmentally kinder than conventional crops, or at least no worse, and that GM foods pose no known human health risk, consumers are fearful of any manufacturer that refuses to be transparent.

Read the original article in its entirety here: Genetically engineered foods have to take two steps to gain approval in Europe

 

Trade barriers holding back the adoption of GM crops in East Africa

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The following is an edited excerpt.

Agricultural biotechnology holds great promise in contributing to Africa’s socioeconomic development. This is confirmed by a growing body of literature analyzing the positive economic effects at the farm level, and also for a growing number of farmers in Africa. However, with the exception of Burkina Faso, Egypt, and South Africa, the African countries have been slow adopters of biotechnology crops for cultivation.

Read the original paper in its entirety here: Trade and Tribulations: An Evaluation of Trade Barriers to the Adoption of Genetically Modified Crops in the East African Community

Biologists find RNA molecule protects stem cells during inflammation

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The following is an edited excerpt.

When infections occur in the body, stem cells in the blood often jump into action by multiplying and differentiating into mature immune cells that can fight off illness. But repeated infections and inflammation can deplete these cell populations, potentially leading to the development of serious blood conditions such as cancer.

Now, a team of researchers led by biologists at the California Institute of Technology  has found that, in mouse models that are bred to lack a specific gene, a specific molecule of microRNA acts as a critical regulator and protector of blood-forming stem cells during chronic inflammation. A deficiency of this microRNA may be one important cause of blood cancers and bone marrow failure in humans.

Read the full story here: Keeping stem cells strong: Biologists show that an RNA molecule protects stem cells during inflammatio

Connecticut: State senate approves genetic labeling

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The following is an edited excerpt.

The state Senate on Tuesday night approved controversial legislation that would require food products to include labels telling consumers of any genetically modified organisms.

But the bill’s future in the House is in doubt, amid criticism from majority Democrats who are concerned that the legislation would require action by surrounding states.

The Connecticut Food Association warned that labeling could become an unacceptable expense for grocers and supermarkets. And advocates for the chemical industry said that science has not proven that GMOs are harmful.

Read the original article in its entirety here:  State Senate approves genetic labeling

The coming human cloning controversies

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The following is an edited excerpt.

I learned about the first successful human cloning last Monday, but couldn’t write about it until Wednesday because of a news embargo. Scientists and media pretended that this wasn’t really human cloning for political reasons; just a step in that general direction.

But human cloning it was, and that is a huge deal, opening up the possibility of genetic engineering of embryos, creating custom made fetuses as organ farms, and the birth of a cloned baby. News stories often acted as if the experiment merely turned “unfertilized eggs” and skin cells into embryonic stem cells. Not true: The act of cloning creates an embryo. After that, the cloning is over.

Even though it is off to a slow start due to advocacy obfuscation, the reality of human cloning will soon create white-hot public controversies.

View the original article here: The Coming Human Cloning Controversies

Authors urge importance of patients’ rights in genome sequencing

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The following is an edited excerpt.

As 21st century medicine now begins to use the tools of genome sequencing, an enormous debate has erupted over whether patients’ rights will continue in an era of medical genomics.

Recent recommendations from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) suggest no. On March 22, the ACMG released recommendations stating that when clinical sequencing is undertaken for any medical reason, laboratories must examine 57 other specific genes to look for incidental findings. These findings must then be reported to the clinician and the patient. In an April 25 “clarification,” ACMG said that failure to report these findings would be considered “unethical.” The patient has no opportunity to opt-out of the testing of the 57 genes, except to decline all sequencing. The recommendations also apply to children.

In a paper to be published in ‘Science ‘May 16 online ahead of print, the authors push back against these recommendations, and offer compelling reasons why patient autonomy must remain firmly in place as science advances.

View the original article in its entirety here: Authors urge importance of patients’ rights in genome sequencing

BIO: It’s not too late to change the conversation on GMOs

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The following is an edited excerpt.

When it comes to winning hearts and minds on the merits of genetically engineered foods (and whether to alert consumers to their presence on food labels), it’s fair to say the biotech industry has not done a great job.

But it’s not too late to change the conversation, says Cathy Enright, executive vice president of food and agriculture at Washington-based Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO).

“We haven’t spent enough time talking about the technology, the benefits, the products. It’s safe and it can create a cleaner environment, but we need to do a better job of explaining why,” says Enright.

Read the original article in its entirety here: BIO: It’s not too late to change the conversation on GMOs.

Anti-GMO European farmers ignore science in favor of superstition— or so they say

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The following is an edited excerpt.

Next month, the US and Europe would like to make some progress in tearing down trade barriers, an archaic notion left over from the Colonial period in history.

Special trade agreements with blocs, like The Hanseatic League of the 12th century, were always common, but restrictions enjoyed a popularity boom after the collapse of the East India Trade Company in 1799 became the poster child for the perils of free trade – 18th century globalization hysteria.

European leaders have asked to reduce trade barriers because they seek a way to speed up economic growth and simply charging more for China while they subsidize local markets is not working.  Currently, Europe puts quotas on things like foreign steel to protect their steelmakers. All consumers pay higher costs but in return the industry remains local. On goods like fruit, they put a tariff in order to make non-EU fruit more expensive. 

What stands in the way of reduced trade barriers is not only the traditional parochial concerns of Europeans getting more than they give. Now they are using the scientization of politics as a defense also.

Read the original article in its entirety here: European Farmers Ignore Science In Favor Of Superstition – Or So They Want Us To Believe

At trade talks, U.S., E.U. ready for fight on genetically modified crops

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The following is an edited excerpt.

Many Europeans see American farming and its reliance on genetically modified crops as more Frankenstein than Farmer in the Dell.

Now, the opposition here to U.S. agricultural practices is threatening to become a major battle in discussions starting next month that could sweep away trade barriers between the United States and Europe.

Many here worry that a trade pact would ease regulations that have made it difficult for genetically modified crops and products to reach European shores. Genetically modified crops are broadly unpopular in Europe, and farmers and environmentalists fear that if trade restrictions are lowered, both genetically modified seeds and U.S.-grown genetically modified products would quickly take over European farmland and grocery stores.

Read the original article in its entirety here: At trade talks, U.S., E.U. ready for fight on genetically modified crops

UK and Spanish scientists: European GE policy needs modification

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The following is an edited excerpt.

Writing in the journal Trends in Plant Science, scientists from Spain and the United Kingdom argue that the European Union will be unable to meet increased demand for food and crops in a sustainable and environmentally conscientious way without its changing policy with regard to genetically engineered crops.

The authors criticise the ‘paradoxical’ approach to agricultural policy within the EU which has, they say, distorted the economic and regulatory harmony that was aimed for into a ‘fragmented, contradictory and unworkable legislative framework’. Since the principles of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) are not supported in – or, therefore, reflected by – practice, the EU damages not only the member states, but any chance they may have of fulfilling their humanitarian commitments going forward.

Read the original article in its entirety here: Genetic engineering policy needs modification

Oregon senator vows to repeal the “Monsanto Protection Act”

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The following is an edited excerpt.

Senator  Jeff Merkley  (D-OR) on Monday vowed to repeal a measure that prevents federal courts from halting the sale and planting of genetically engineered crops.

The Farmer Assurance Provision, dubbed the “Monsanto Protection Act” by critics, was inserted into a short-term funding bill passed by Congress in March. The biotech rider allows farmers to buy and plant genetically engineered seeds while the regulatory approval of the crop is being challenged in court.

“The Monsanto Protection Act is an outrageous example of a special interest loophole,” Merkley said in a statement. “This provision nullifies the actions of a court that is enforcing the law to protect farmers, the environment and public health. That is unacceptable.”

Read the original story in its entirety here:  Oregon senator vows to repeal the “Monsanto Protection Act.”

Simplot aims to avoid ‘Frankenfood’ fight

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The following is an edited excerpt.

A Boise company doesn’t want to make Monsanto’s genetically modified mistake of 12 years ago. Much has changed in those years, according to the J.R. Simplot Co. Simplot is betting the public will accept its biotech potatoes. Monsanto’s failed when McDonald’s rejected them and Simplot told its potato-farming suppliers not to grow them.

A key difference: Simplot’s potatoes use only potato genes, not genes from other living things. Monsanto’s used genes from synthetic bacteria to kill insect pests.

Read original article in its entirety here: Simplot aims to avoid ‘Frankenfood’ fight

Ethical path to artificial stem cell technology

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The following is an edited excerpt.

Australian research has created a molecular roadmap that shows how any cell in the human body can be turned into artificial stem cells.

Dr Jose Polo, formerly of Harvard University and now head of Monash University’s reprogramming and epigenetics laboratory, said the use of these reprogrammed cells – pluripotent stem cells or iPS cells – has practical advantages over those harvested from embryos.

”If you have a disease caused by a specific mutation, say in the brain, obviously we can’t do research on your brain. But we can take a cell of your skin, reprogram it into an iPS cell, and then make neurons [brain cells] in the labs,” Dr Polo said. ”This means we’re going to study your exact mutation in the dish.”

Read the full story: Ethical path to artificial stem cell technology

Body clock genes linked to depression

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The following is an excerpt.

Genes believed to regulate sleep rhythm are expressed abnormally in people with major depressive disorders, scientists say. The study is one of the first in humans to provide direct evidence of a disturbed circadian rhythm in people with depression.

Symptoms of depression can include sleep disturbance, with difficulties in falling asleep at night or feeling fatigued during the day, but the precise mechanism for this remains unknown. Although the circadian rhythm – the 24-hour cycle in living beings – has been observed in gene expression in animal studies, its presence in the human brain has been difficult to confirm

Read the full story here: Body clock genes linked to depression

Stem-cell treatment restores sight to blind man

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The following is an excerpt.

An experimental stem-cell treatment has restored the sight of a man blinded by the degeneration of his retinal cells. The man, who is taking part in a trial examining the safety of using human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) to reverse two common causes of blindness, can now see well enough to be allowed to drive.

People undergoing treatment had reported modest improvements in vision earlier in the trial, which began in 2011, but this individual has made especially dramatic progress. The vision in his affected eye went from 20/400 – essentially blind – to 20/40, which is considered sighted.

“There’s a guy walking around who was blind, but now can see,” says Gary Rabin, chief executive officer of Advanced Cell Technology, the company in Marlborough, Massachusetts that devised the treatment. “With that sort of vision, you can have a driver’s licence.”

Read the full story: Stem-cell treatment restores sight to blind man

10,000 hours may gain you little if you have no talent

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The following is an excerpt.

A few years ago Malcolm Gladwell made the “10,000 hour rule” famous in his book Outliers. In practice (e.g., discussions with people day to day or on this blog) the rule gets translated into the inference “practice is what matters.” When talking about genetics this often implicitly also entails that “genes don’t matter.” I’m not saying that this is necessarily what Gladwell’s own exposition taken literally would suggest, but ideas have a way of evolving once they’re outside of the pages of a book.

My own response is that this sort of rhetorical device is silly. In domains of virtuosity the intersection of innate talent and conscientiousness are often critical. That’s because for outstanding excellence gains on the extreme margin of performance are critical. There are many born with talent, and those who hone and refine that talent will have an edge over those who do not exhibit the same work ethic. But the converse is that there are those born without talent for whom 10,000 hours of invested effort is lunacy.

Read the full story here: 10,000 hours may gain you little if you have no talent