From searcabic at gmail.com Fri Dec 5 18:22:18 2008 From: searcabic at gmail.com (SEARCA Biotechnology Information Center) Date: Fri, 5 Dec 2008 18:22:18 +0800 Subject: [searcabic] Latest news postings on biotechnology, 05 December 2008 Message-ID: Right click images to view this page properly. If this e-mail does not appear as a web page, please click here. *Posted 05 December 2008* *PHILIPPINES* 1-ON LIVESTOCK BIO-ENERGY, BIO-POWER: DA EYES TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER FROM BRAZIL 2-DISEASE-RESISTANT ABACA PROPAGATED OUTSIDE LABORATORY 3-MARRIAGE OF BIOTECH AND CO-OPS MEANS COMMERCIAL VIABILITY' 4-$30-M 'MALUNGGAY' BIODIESEL PLANT PUSHED *VIETNAM* 5-ISAAA BOARD MEMBER RECEIVES 1ST UMALI ACHIEVEMENT AWARD *UNITED STATES* 6-USDA PAVING WAY FOR GM CORN *GLOBAL* 7-WORLD FOOD SHORTAGES MAY FORCE US TOWARD BIOENGINEERED CROPS *1-ON LIVESTOCK BIO-ENERGY, BIO-POWER: DA EYES TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER FROM BRAZIL* by Melody M. Aguiba 04-December-2008 Manila Bulletin The Department of Agriculture (DA) is working with the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corp. to transfer locally Brazil's expertise in livestock bio-energy and bio-power. DA-attached Philippine Agribusiness Development Corp. (PADC) has started liaison with the Brazilian research center as the Philippines also wants to harness potentially significant energy resource from livestock waste that can generate biogas or electricity from methane capture. "We are working on a memorandum of agreement on an exchange of technology in bioenergy with Embrapa," said PADC President Marriz Agbon in an interview. The research center is also called Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuaria (Embrapa) which has expertise in bioenergy even as Brazil is now a world leader in innovative and environment-friendly fuel technologies, mainly sugarcane-based ethanol. Technologies in Brazil also include production of ethanol from bagasse, a sugar milling waste, that can also be used for co-generation. PADC has started looking at this partnership since the International Conference on Biofuel last Nov. 17 in Sao Paolo, Brazil which Agbon attended. Other research groups which PADC is tying up with are the Center for Sugarcane Technology and the Brazilian Sugarcane Industry Association. The government finds it advantageous to collaborate on technology transfer with Brazil since Brazil has also become a leader in Flexifuel cars which is a dual-fuel vehicle that can use an alternative fuel with its internal combustion engine that can run on say gasoline blended with ethanol or methanol fuel. "Brazilian car manufacturers already produced 20 million Flexifuel cars from 2002 to 2008. There is no black smoke or the smell of pollution in the streets of Sao Paolo because of Flexifuel cars," said Agbon. AGbon said the environment for investments in bioenergy in the Philippines has become attractive to investors with the passage of the Renewable Energy Law. This specially becomes true since independent producers or end-consumers of power have incentives to sell their excess power to the grid . *------------------------------------------------------------* *2-DISEASE-RESISTANT ABACA PROPAGATED OUTSIDE LABORATORY* by Melpha M. Abello 03-December-2008 Manila Bulletin It is now possible to produce the disease-resistant abaca "Agbayanon" variety without using tissue culture. The other method that can be used is clonal propagation wherein the new plants are produced outside the laboratory by using corm, according to tissue culture expert Michael Ibisate, who is also the research coordinator of the College of Agriculture, Forestry and Environmental Sciences of the Aklan State University (ASU) in Banga, Aklan, Corm is the rounded underground storage organ of abaca consisting of swollen stem base. To start with, the corm from a disease-free plant is cut into pieces and then planted horizontally on the ground with bud on the surface. Ibisate said that he utilized the corms from the tissue-culture-grown abaca in the ASU germplasm. He said that given proper care, the new suckers would grow in just a month from planting. Two months later, the plantlets will be ready for field planting. He said that ASU has been mass-producing disease-free abaca for many years now through tissue culture. Recently, Ibisate experimented on clonal propagation which also produced good results. Ibisate revealed that as of now, they have already produced close to 500 clones of ready-to-plant Agbayanon abaca which is sold at P25 per plant. Agbayanon variety is abundant in Aklan and is resistant to the dreaded abaca bunchy top virus which is ravaging the abaca plantations in Bicol and Leyte provinces. Early this year, ASU received a P400,000 grant from the Aklan provincial government as part of its project on the expansion of abaca production in Aklan in collaboration with various agencies in the province. The amount will be spent on research and development on abaca, especially on the tissue culture technology in which ASU has state-of-the-art facilities. Fund was also allotted for the overall abaca development project, and in the near future, for abaca pulp production. Aklan is the biggest abaca producer in Western Visayas, supplying at least 75 to 80% in bulk. Fiber Industry Development Authority said that Aklan's abaca fiber production in 2006 had reached 1,220,400 kilograms valued at P48,816,000. This amount is hoped to increase as the province aims to expand abaca areas to 3,355 hectares involving the municipalities of Altavas, Balete, Banga, Ibajay, Madalag, Makato, Malinao, and Libacao. *------------------------------------------------------------* *3-MARRIAGE OF BIOTECH AND CO-OPS MEANS COMMERCIAL VIABILITY'* by Miguel R. Camus Researcher 01-December-2008 BusinessMirror If scientific research is the engine that pushes human and economic development onward, then its commercial and financial viability should be the lubricant greasing its wheels. But during the investors' forum, a session designed to attract financial interest in new biotechnology businesses, held at the start of the country's Fourth National Biotechnology Week, a member of academe involved with the cooperative (co-op) movement in the Philippines said the Department of Science and Technology ( DOST), one of the event organizers, may be missing its mark. Dr. Virgina Teodosia, University of the Philippines (UP) professor and former administrator of the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), a government agency which includes leading co-ops as members, said the DOST should put more focus in attracting co-ops as sources of investment. She said there is little effort to target co-ops as the government and the established media organizations always look toward big-ticket investments like multinationals. She spoke to the BusinessMirror in an interview following the investors' forum. She said member co-ops with the CDA have an estimated P500 billion in disposable funds. Latest figures from the CDA web site show that there were almost 21,000 operating cooperatives by the end of 2007, and, said Teodosia, their aggregate membership is roughly 4.7 million people. The UP professor noted that these co-ops are actively seeking out investment opportunities. She narrated how a single co-op recently deposited almost P400 million in a leading Philippine bank, a common practice, she said, among co-ops as they are not aware of these DOST initiatives. "They don't know where to put their money and they are not maximizing their funds because they don't know these programs," she said. Science Secretary Estrella Alabastro said her department actively works with both cooperatives and individual entrepreneurs but based on her experience, the latter are more "driven." "[Cooperatives] don't lose their shirts, if they fail," she said, compared with individual entrepreneurs. She added that she is open to meeting the "right" kinds of cooperatives. And this is something Dr. Teodosia intends to do, which is to link the top 10,000 co-ops with agencies like the DOST. "They will welcome these initiatives [by the DOST]," she said. *Technology picks* Some of these initiatives were presented during the investors' forum and were selected for their commercial viability in the various sectors of biotechnology. Dealing with health and safety was the DOST Philippine Council on Health Research and Development-based rapid detection kit for identifying E. coli, Salmonella, S. aureus and Listeria strains, which contaminate food, animal feed and water; and can be fatal to humans. According to Dr. Susana Mercado from UP Los Ba?os, this technology has many advantages over competition, like its speed in detection, sensitivity, as well as its being a "cheaper" alternative to the conventional cultural method. She highlighted as potential clients service laboratories, regulatory agencies, feed millers, food processors, pharmaceutical firms and water refillers. Another product, developed by the National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology is a microbial rennet, which the developer claims is an effective milk coagulant. Milk coagulation is a fundamental process in cheese making. Dr. Mercado said this technology may aid small to medium cheese manufacturers, and is being positioned as the "best quality and most efficient cheese coagulant" in the market. She noted strategies such as product differentiation, and again, as a low-cost alternative to its multinational competitors. She said that as an added external benefit, this product may aid the local dairy industry, as there will be more incentive to increase cow-milk production as demand for cheese increases. Another technology initiative was focused on applications and commercialization of sustainable charcoal briquettes developed by the Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Engineer Santiago Baconguis, chief research specialist involved in this project, said this approach was sustainable as their charcoal briquettes are made from abandoned biomass, such as used coconut husks, corn cobs, dried banana peelings and even peanut shells. Charcoal is traditionally derived from hardwood trees. Dr. Teodosia said all these programs, especially with the sustainable charcoal briquettes, creates new livelihood enterprises. She said co-ops are seeking projects that aid communities, and that the projects showed in the National Biotechnology Week present an opportunity both for the DOST and co-ops. "When they [co-ops] have a surplus, like they do now, they will want to put it in projects for the community," she said. *------------------------------------------------------------* *4-$30-M 'MALUNGGAY' BIODIESEL PLANT PUSHED* by Melody M. Aguiba 01-December-2008 Manila Bulletin A biodiesel feedstock from "malunggay" oil is seen to emerge as a revolutionary biodiesel raw material as US's Green Energy Technology (GET) and Filipino firm Secura International Corp. (SIC) are investing $ 30 million in it. A biodiesel plant using malunggay oil may rise in two years as a memorandum of agreement has been forged between the two companies to put up a plant that uses this indigenous plant's oil that enjoys accreditation from biodiesel authorities worldwide. SIC President Danilo M. Manayaga said any type of vegetable oil can actually be used as biofuel feedstock. The malunggay biodiesel, in fact, complies with the US's American Society for Testing and Materials's (ASTM) biodiesel standard. This is based on several criteria including viscosity, cloud point, and oxidation. "Why not? Any vegetable oil can be used for biofuel. Coconut is very expensive, this involves just a tenth of the price (of coconut)," said Manayaga in an interview at the Hybridigm Consulting's BioOutlook 2008. However, a crucial factor to the success of this venture, according to Manayaga, is government's support for farmers' malunggay planting. Or else SIC itself may resort to just focusing its efforts in other countries where government support for farmers is present. "Farmers need help. They cannot borrow money, but we need more investors. It can't be just one or two (investors). Tanzania and Indonesia are inviting me there. They're helping their farmers, so we're moving there. If there's no support here, how can we move ? Imagine we already have a contract (to supply malunggay oil to a biofuel plant) by 2010. But without government support, what can we produce?" Manayaga said he appeals for government's assistance particularly on financing farmers' planting. "Nobody's planting. Government's support? (IT's) mere lip service, but it's not giving any money to farmers. They should support the farmers because our investors will put up the plant. They'll only earn a little, but as business partners, they'll earn higher." SIC is offering farmers a 25 percent business partnership interest in the project which is an important incentive as it will bring farmers P200,000 earnings per hectare per year. Manayaga said there is a huge requirement for biodiesel in the Philippines with a 209 million liter requirement at two percent blend. The demand even becomes bigger when the possibility of a 20 percent blend-- as many vehicles are capable of receiving without engine retrofitting? is considered. Farmers belonging to a consortium have started planting malunggay in targeted areas all over Tarlac, Camarines Sur, Mindoro, Negros, Caragao, and Lanao. Investors can put up a crushing facility for biodiesel production where there is a 1,000-hectare malunggay area. A malunggay biodiesel plant can have a capacity of 10 million or 20 million gallons a year and can be expanded upon expansion of the feedstock plantation. It is estimated that one hectare of malunggay land can produce 8,000 liters of oil. A million investment can produce 500 metric tons (MT) of oil per day. Manayaga said SIC really targets a malunggay farm network of 500,000 hectares. But the world, he said, really needs 60 million hectares to meet biofuel needs. "That's what's presented by (potential investor) CTI Biofuels. Even if you plant the whole Philippines, we can't meet the world market because it's a huge market. Our farmers will become millionaires (if they plant it on all our land)," he said. The plant definitely has a ready market for the biodiesel even as the Biofuel Act grants incentives for this business. "Oil companies are at the receiving end. Shell is willing to buy if we can produce," he said. Fortunately, malunggay is a versatile plant that can grow anywhere, except in rice-growing, flooded areas. It can even grow in colder areas as proven by its presence in Tarlac lands that are above 1,200 meters above sea level. The origin of malunggay is in the Himalayan mountains, implying suitability in uplands, he said. "Moringga (another malunggay name) is a kind of plant that's very suitable for rainfall of less than 1,000 millimeters a year. It doesn't need more care or much irrigation. There's minimal maintenance. Our farmers can plant it once and (keep a consistent) harvest." While harvesting the oil from the seed, farmers can also tap the leaves as feed meal which is protein-rich. Malunggay leaves have lutein at 700 milligram per kilo of dried leaves. "Imagine if we produce the oil, then we'll also have the meal. We won't anymore have to import soybean meal so cost of production will go down for pork and poultry which will become cheaper (in the market)." *------------------------------------------------------------* *VIETNAM 5-ISAAA BOARD MEMBER RECEIVES 1ST UMALI ACHIEVEMENT AWARD *05-December-2008 SEARCA BIC News Release Dr. Vo Tong Xuan, one of the Board of Directors of the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA), was recently honored as the first recipient of the Dioscoro L. Umali Achievement Award for Agricultural Development. The Umali Achievement Award is the first of its kind, which recognizes individual initiatives for the promotion of agricultural development in Southeast Asia. The award was given during the 42nd anniversary celebration of the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) at the Umali Auditorium, SEARCA, College, Laguna, Philippines on 27 November 2008. Dr. Xuan is a professor of Agronomy and rector emeritus at the An Giang University in Vietnam. He was conferred for his great contribution to the transformation of Vietnam's agricultural economy from a net rice importer to the world's second largest rice-exporter. Known in Vietnam as the 'farmer doctor', he successfully disseminated modern agricultural production techniques and introduced pest-resistant and high-yielding rice varieties to the farmers of Mekong Delta that led to the improvement of Vietnam's agricultural production. The Umali Achievement Award is named after the late Dr. Dioscoro L. Umali, SEARCA's founding director and a Filipino National Scientist regarded as the prime mover of agricultural and rural development in Southeast Asia in his time. The award is a collaborative endeavor among SEARCA, the National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines (NAST, Philippines), and the Dioscoro L. Umali Foundation (DLUF). To learn more about the award, visit http://www.searca.org/web/announcements/dioscoro_umali_award/index.html. *(Rochella B. Lapitan, SEARCA BIC)* *------------------------------------------------------------* *UNITED STATES 6-USDA PAVING WAY FOR GM CORN *by Sam Hananel (Associated Press) 01-December-2008 AGWEEK WASHINGTON ? The U.S. Agriculture Department is moving to make it easier to grow genetically engineered corn for ethanol production, despite fears among safety advocates that some might end up in human food. The agency is seeking public comments on a request to deregulate corn that is designed to produce a special enzyme, making it easier to convert into ethanol. In its draft environmental assessment released in early November, the department's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service concluded that the corn, developed by Syngenta Seeds Inc., is safe. "The scientific evidence indicates that there are unlikely to be any environmental, human health or food safety concerns associated with the GE corn," the agency says in a written statement. Bill Freese, science policy analyst at the Center for Food Safety, says the alpha-amylase gene inserted into the corn could trigger allergies in people exposed to the crop. "They intend it to be used just for ethanol, but it's also going to end up in the food supply," Freese says. "This is the first crop proposed for industrial use, and in a widely used food crop, we need to be extremely cautious." *Under review* The department will review any comments submitted by the Jan. 20 deadline to determine whether its safety assessment should change. Deregulation of the genetically engineered corn would allow it to be grown anywhere without permits or other regulatory oversight from the Agriculture Department. Demand for biofuels like ethanol is soaring because of federal mandates requiring the United States to use 9 billion gallons of alternative fuel annually by 2009. *------------------------------------------------------------* *GLOBAL 7-WORLD FOOD SHORTAGES MAY FORCE US TOWARD BIOENGINEERED CROPS *01-December-2008 International Supermarket News Surging costs, population growth, and drought and other setbacks linked to global climate change are pressuring world food supplies, while soaring prices on the street have triggered riots and raised the number of people going hungry to more than 923 million, according to U.N. estimates. With food demand forecast to increase by half by 2030, the incentive to use genetic engineering to boost harvests and protect precious crops from insects and other damage has never been greater. In Europe, Africa and Asia, governments that have resisted imports of genetically modified foods and banned growing such crops are loosening those restrictions. Meanwhile, they are pushing ahead faster with their own research, despite lingering questions over the safety of such technology. "Influential voices around the world are calling for a re-examination of the GM debate," says C.S. Prakash, a professor of plant molecular genetics at Alabama's Tuskegee University. "Biotechnology provides such tools to help address food sustainability issues." Genetic manipulation to insert desirable genes or accelerate changes traditionally achieved through crossbreeding can help make crops resistant to insects and disease or enable them to tolerate herbicides. Livestock similarly can be altered by inserting a gene from one animal into the DNA of another. Many researchers believe such methods are essential for a second "green revolution," now that the gains from the first, in the mid-20th century, are tapering off. Bioengineered crops are widely grown in Canada, Argentina and the U.S., where nearly all soybeans, most cotton and a growing proportion of corn are designed for tolerance to herbicides or resistance to insects. A virus-resistant GM variety of papaya is commercially grown in Hawaii and China. "Biotechnology is bound to play an important role in the agriculture of the future" said Robert Zeigler, director of the International Rice Research Institute. Such crops "bring tremendous power and advantages to producers and consumers," Zeigler said, noting the potential savings from reduced use of farm chemicals and of fuel for the tractors to spread them. Worldwide cultivation of bioengineered crops has expanded by over 10 percent a year for a decade, although by 2007 it still had reached only 282 million acres, an area about the size of Cuba, in 22 countries. European countries face growing pressure, under World Trade Organization rules, to open their markets to GM products. Many among the EU's 27 member nations remain wary and, backed by consumers opposed to what some call "Franken-foods," are fighting to keep genetically altered crops out of their fields and supermarkets. Overall, it seems best to see genetic engineering as just one of many strategies, including irrigation and soil improvements and better farm management, needed to increase productivity to ensure future generations will have enough to eat. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *DISCLAIMER*: Articles that are posted in this news service do not necessarily reflect the views of SEARCA. To post in e-group, e-mail bic at searcaweb.org. To UNSUBSCRIBE, click here . *SEARCA announces climate change photo contest winners * *1st SEA award for aggie development to be conferred * *Biofuels: The Way Forward?* *---------------------------------------------------------* *Download available paper and/or presentation handouts of some notable speakers presented at SEARCA Agriculture and Development Series. CLICK HERE. * *SEARCA ADSS:Altered Drinking Water Quality: Myths, Scams, and Pseudoscience * *Dr. Dr. Carlito B. Barri, Professor of Chemistry (Ret.), College of Arts and Sciences, UPLB SEARCA, College, Laguna, Philippines 09 December 2008, 4:00 -5:00 PM* *2nd International Forum on Papaya* *Fortune Pandiyan Hotel, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India 09 - 12 December 2008* *BIO Asia 2009* *Tokyo, Japan 19 - 20 January 2009 -------------------------------------------------------------* *JOB VACANCY IFPRI: Director for Program for Biosafety Systems Closing Date: 24 December 2008* *-------------------------------------------------------------* *CALL FOR APPLICATION BIOTEC, Thailand: Human Resource Development Program in Biotechnology 2009 Deadline for application: 15 March 2009* [image: visit discussion board] -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From searcabic at gmail.com Tue Dec 9 17:30:05 2008 From: searcabic at gmail.com (SEARCA Biotechnology Information Center) Date: Tue, 9 Dec 2008 17:30:05 +0800 Subject: [searcabic] GM crop's socioeconomic and environmental impacts, to be discussed in international conference Message-ID: Right click any image to view this page properly. If this e-mail does not appear as a web page, please click here. *Posted 09 December 2008* *GM CROPS' SOCIOECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS, TO BE DISCUSSED IN INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE* *by Roberta V. Gerpacio, RDD-SEARCA 8-December-2008 SEARCA News Release* SEARCA, in collaboration with the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA) and the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI, Washington DC), will conduct a two-day international conference titled, "Measures of Hope and Promises Delivered: An International Conference on Socioeconomic and Environmental Impact Assessment of Genetically Modified (GM) Crops." It will be held on April 21-22, 2009 in Bangkok, Thailand. The conference aims to provide a better understanding of the methodologies, tools, insights, and experiences in examining the socioeconomic and environmental impacts of adopting biotechnology applications, particularly GM crops. It will also examine the factors that encourage or hinder the development and diffusion of new agricultural biotechnologies, and the institutional arrangements and/or policy environment influencing them. There will be five thematic sessions focusing on: ? Tools of the Trade: Methodological Tools and Approaches ? Scanning the Horizon: Sharing of Experiences in Socioeconomic Impact Assessment of Genetically Modified Crops ? Going Beyond the Technology: Looking at the Environmental and Health ? Impacts of Genetically Modified Crops ? The X-Factor: The Costs of Biosafety Regulations ? Makeovers: Integrating Results of Socioeconomic Impact Assessment into the Decision-making Process Policymakers, technology researchers and developers from the private sector, and actors from the academe and non-government organizations would be invited to attend the event. By bringing together an international multi-stakeholder group, it is expected that priority areas in research, capacity building, and doable policy options that will help strengthen public policy on agricultural biotechnology will be identified by the end of the conference. For more details, contact: *DR. ARNULFO G. GARCIA* Manager Research and Development Department SEARCA, College, Los Ba?os, Laguna 4031 Philippines E-mail: agg at agri.searca.org *ROBERTA V. GERPACIO* Project Development Specialist E-mail: rvg at agri.searca.org Tel: +63 49 536-2290 loc 137/159 Fax: +63 49 536-4105 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To post in e-group, e-mail bic at searcaweb.org. To UNSUBSCRIBE, click here . -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From searcabic at gmail.com Sun Dec 14 12:53:56 2008 From: searcabic at gmail.com (SEARCA Biotechnology Information Center) Date: Sun, 14 Dec 2008 12:53:56 +0800 Subject: [searcabic] Latest news postings on biotechnology, 14 December 2008 Message-ID: Right click images to view this page properly. If this e-mail does not appear as a web page, please click here. *Posted 14 December 2008* *PHILIPPINES* 1-BAYER RELEASES NEW VARIETY OF EARLY-MATURING HYBRID RICE 2-RP NEEDS BIOTECHNOLOGY ROADMAP 3-DNA PROFILING SOLVES CRIMES: BIOTECH'S CONTRIBUTION TO JUSTICE 4-BIOTECHNOLOGY *INDIA* 5-MONSANTO SEES INDIA ADOPTING BIOTECH CORN IN 5 YRS *EUROPE* 6-ITALY APPROVES GM FIELD TRIALS FOR SOME FRUIT AND VEGETABLES *GLOBAL* 7-WATERPROOF RICE PASSES INTERNATIONAL FIELD TESTS *1-BAYER RELEASES NEW VARIETY OF EARLY-MATURING HYBRID RICE *By Melody M. Aguiba 14-December-2008 Manila Bulletin Hybrid rice seed producer Bayer CropScience (Philippines) has released a new early-maturing rice variety that can speed up farmers' harvest down to as early as 100 days without sacrificing yield which can hit a high of 11 metric tons (MT) per hectare. Bayer CropScience (BCS) has released Arize-TEJ which was developed to raise farmers' productivity by sparing them from late-harvest typhoons or calamities because of its shorter gestation compared to the normal 120-day rice planting duration. "Rice farmers benefit a great deal from high yielding and early maturing Arize-TEJ because its usage translates into a higher income at a shorter period of time. When farmers use an early maturing crop, they can have the option to plant their third crop," said BCS BioScience Manager Annalen dela Rosa in a statement. Aside from its early maturing trait at 100 to 105 days, the hybrid rice variety also has tolerance to bacterial leaf blight (BLB) similar to its predecessor hybrid "Bigante." Based on tests, the hybrid rice variety has hit an 11 MT per hectare yield which is relatively higher compared to hybrid rice's average yield placed at seven MT per hectare. "Arize-TEJ brings potential yield of about 11.32 metric tons with an average yield of about 155-175 cavans per hectare. In addition, Arize-TEJ produces long slender grains, high milling and head rice recovery with excellent taste qualities which consumers prefer," said Dela Rosa. The government is continuing to support hybrid rice planting in an aim to achieve up to a 98 percent rice sufficiency by 2013. The Department of Agriculture (DA) gives a P1,000 per hectare support to farmers adopting hybrid rice. This is aside from the support that it gives to farmers planting certified inbred seeds. "Arize-TEJ can help augment the country's rice supply because of its quick-turn-around time or QTA, which is being encouraged by the Department of Agriculture," she said. Given adequate irrigation or water sources, hybrid rice has been seen to substantially raise yield of farmers who have been harvesting just around four to five MT per hectare using the best certified seed varieties. The Philippines has even achieved a record of more than 17 MT per hectare yield with the use of hybrid rice varieties. *------------------------------------------------------------* *2-RP NEEDS BIOTECHNOLOGY ROADMAP* By Madel R. Sabater 11-December-2008 Manila Bulletin The country needs to create a National Biotechnology Roadmap that will ensure a clear and definite strategy towards successful biotechnology programs. According to Dr. Benigno Peczon, former president and chief executive officer (CEO) of the Biotechnology Coalition of the Philippines (BCP), the country has mixed signals on biotechnology. "Not only is the Philippine ship rudderless, it has oarsmen pulling in different directions. Moreover, it clearly has but little steam," he said. Peczon said the country needs to get its act together to ensure that it will not continue to trail behind other Asian countries now gaining economic advantage due to biotechnology advancements. He said there is a need to lay the groundwork through continuous information dissemination of the benefits of biotechnology and identification of biotechnology niches. Moreover, he added, there is a need to acquire technologies beneficial for biotech research and development (R & D) and create an attractive biotech business environment through a good investment climate, coherent regulatory process, intellectual property rights, sufficient manpower, and necessary infrastructures. "The country can craft a coherent biotechnology roadmap to make possible the objectives embodied in the Philippine National Policy Statement on Modern Biotechnology. With cooperation and careful tracking of benchmarks, we just might be able to implement biotech projects well enough to do ourselves proud," Peczon said. The country used to lead in the biotechnology sector, having been the first to establish the National Institutes of Biotechnology and Applied Microbiology in 1979 (renamed National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology or UP Biotech in 1995). However, the country still has not developed its own modern and health biotechnology products until now, said Peczon. Despite this, the nation leads in the development and approval of biotech crops in Southeast Asia. Filipino agro-biotechnologists are currently developing Bt eggplant, papaya ringspot virus resistant (PRSVR) papaya, and delayed ripening papaya. Bt corn is now commercialized while other biotech projects are already in the pipeline. In China, a National Biotechnology Center for Development was established in 1983 but it was in 1997 or after 14 years where it exhibited rapid growth. India established their Biotechnology Department in 1986 and has since then gradually progressed with a target of having 50 biotech centers of excellence by 2012. Vietnam is also catching up as it has recently approved a Biotechnology Plan by setting up R & D centers by 2010 and a manpower target of 8,000 graduates by 2010 and 12,000 between 2011 and 2015. *------------------------------------------------------------* *3-DNA PROFILING SOLVES CRIMES: BIOTECH'S CONTRIBUTION TO JUSTICE SYSTEM* by Miguel R. Camus / Researcher 07-December-2008 BusinessMirror Most commonly associated with renewable energy and genetically modified produce, biotechnology is also having a profound effect on society and, in particular, the justice system with the advent of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) profiling, which helps local forensic investigators solve criminal cases. DNA profiling is a molecular testing method used to identify people or organisms by the particular structure of their DNA, which is determined to be unique to each person?like a fingerprint?and can be extracted from saliva, blood, hair and even finger- or toenails. And while DNA testing for this purpose is "relatively" new in the country, according to Major Lito Cabamongan, one of the leading crime-scene specialists with the Philippine National Police (PNP), local enforcement agencies have already begun reaping the benefits. "Almost 30 percent or more of [criminal] cases are being solved [now with the help of DNA profiling techniques]," the forensic investigator said partly in Filipino. He added that it was more difficult in previous times without DNA testing, as other forms of evidence were inconclusive. He spoke to the BusinessMirror in last week's DNA forensic training workshop for police officers that was part of the National Biotechnology Week activities. But working behind the scenes is the DNA Analysis Laboratory in the Natural Sciences Research Institute at the University of the Philippines (UP). Dr. Maria de Ungria, who heads the UP DNA Laboratory, said DNA is one of the most powerful tools available to Philippine investigators today. "You'll know who was and wasn't there," she said, referring to a crime. "It brings us closer to the truth, and serves as a crucial factor to reconstruct the sequence of events leading to the crime." She noted, however, that the UP DNA lab does not directly handle criminal cases, unless passed on to them by the PNP or by the courts, and instead focuses on the research aspect of forensic investigation. "They [PNP and National Bureau of Investigation] have their own labs, but because of the scale of criminal cases that they have, they can't do research," said the former Philippine Science High School scholar. She said their research activities take a "lot of time," such as testing different types of evidence using several parameters, like variations in temperature, among others. Such research endeavors, she said, fall under their responsibility, being attached to an academic institution. "We don't go into crime scenes and we don't handle the [actual] evidence, but if one of the [law enforcement] agencies feel they have not handled that type of evidence, they might call our lab for assistance," she said. Dr. de Ungria added that the UP DNA lab may step in during special cases, such as those requested by families seeking an independent forensic investigation. In October 2007, the Supreme Court issued the Rule on DNA Evidence, which provided the guidelines on assessing the value of DNA evidence in court. It was also viewed as a precedent for reversing convictions through post-DNA testing. Dr. de Ungria said activities intensified after the Supreme Court decision. She said the cases passed to the UP DNA lab have doubled, and they have even noted some acquittals after doing DNA testing. She said that among rape cases in the past nine years, there have been five acquittals because it was discovered that the suspects did not share the DNA profile of the victims' children born as a result of the crime. She said the suspected rapists spent an average of seven years in jail. She noted that the lab is helping the government, as well, declogging jails and also preventing future abuses to human rights. "The real perpetrators are still outside doing what they were doing before," she said. *Budget constraints* Still, as a DNA analysis lab, carrying out research studies and bringing criminals to justice carries a hefty price tag. Dr. de Ungria said that in the past two years, they have received some P5 million a year, but it was not enough. She said equipment alone could cost several millions of pesos. "We should be looking at P10 million, P20 million to P30 million a year," she admitted, adding that the funds will be used to buy better equipment, making it a one-time arrangement. She said the lab, for instance, would be an updated version of their DNA sequencer, which can only run one sample at a time, versus other newer machines which can do eight or even 15 samples. She added that running a sample takes at least 30 minutes, which is why the lab is planning to purchase a DNA sequencer that costs P10 million that can handle eight samples. A DNA sequencer automates the arduous task of DNA sequencing, a process where the order of nucleotides?the structural unit of DNA?is determined. DNA sequencing is credited with large advances in biological research and is an integral aspect of forensic investigation. "We would like to have results as soon as possible. The longer we wait [for DNA results], the longer the time that person [if innocent] is incarcerated," she said. She added that the small number of staff is also another issue with them, because while they have at least 10 scientists manning the labs, only three are considered as permanent while the rest are classified as "contractual." "We look for budgets for scientists, which actually adds to the work that we are doing," she said. *The DNA business* One way is to tap the private sector. The UP DNA lab, for instance, charges fees for paternity tests which, according to Dr. de Ungria, composes up to 50 percent of the lab's activities today. The lab charges P60,000 for a paternity test?which is used as evidence in court, such as in proving the legitimacy of an heir. If the test is for "private reasons," where it will not be used in any legal forum, the fee is P40,000. The reason for this, she said, is that court cases require more scrutiny, hence, a more laborious task for the laboratory. She also noted cases where "high-profile clients" or wealthy individuals ask the lab to have their DNA profiled and then stored. This is for possible use in the future, when, for instance, the subject is cremated or when facing other legal hurdles. For this, the UP DNA lab charges P3,000 for five years of storage, after which the contract expires and the clients will be charged again. For all the extra work, Dr. de Ungria, who finished her doctoral degree at the University of New South Wales in Australia, does no regret coming back to the Philippines?after 10 years abroad. "Science should serve society. I needed to go back to the Philippines [because] I knew that I only had the opportunity to study because of taxpayers' money," she said. *------------------------------------------------------------* *4-BIOTECHNOLOGY* Nature for Life by Anabelle E. Plantilla 22-November-2008 Manila Times Spearheaded by the Department of Agriculture, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Health, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Education, and Department of Interior and Local Government, the Philippines celebrates the 4th National Biotech?nology Week next week with the theme "Making Biotechnology Work for You." Biotechnology is technology based on biology, especially when used in agriculture, food science, and medicine. The United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity defines biotech?nology as "any technological application that uses biological systems, living organisms, or derivatives thereof, to make or modify products or processes for specific use." Biotechnology is often used to refer to genetic engineering technology of the 21st century, however the term encompasses a wider range and history of procedures for modifying biological organisms according to the needs of humanity, going back to the initial modifications of native plants into improved food crops through artificial selection and hybridization. (Wikipedia) The emergence of modern biotech??nologies in the areas of agriculture, medicine, and chemistry has been a widely followed topic over the recent years. Breakthroughs have been achieved by Filipino scientists in harnessing biotechnology for food, biofuels, and the environment. Studies and research on biofertilizers, ethanol production-inducing bacteria, micronutrient enhancement, and improved crops like corn, sugarcane, coconut and various vegetables are also on going. Being a member of the Asean, the Philippines, along with the other 9 Asean Member States are all signatories to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. An international agreement adopted in 2000, the Protocol highlights the need to ensure that maximum benefits are reaped from biotechnologies, while minimizing possible risks to humans and the environment. The Protocol also seeks to protect biological diversity from the potential risks posed by genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and living modified organisms (LMOs). It was set in place to ensure an adequate level of protection in the field of the safe transfer, handling, and use of LMOs. Safety in biotechnology or biosafety is a key concern among Asean Member States. Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam are all in the process of developing their respective biosafety frameworks, policies, and laws. Led by Rodrigo Fuentes, a Filipino, the Asean Center for Biodiversity (ACB) is an intergovernmental organization that promotes biodiversity conservation in the Asean region. It assists Asean Member States in carrying out scientific risk assessments on GMOs, and enforcing biosafety regulations by enhancing institutional capacity. A series of workshops, the latest of which was conducted in Vietnam on 20-22 November 2008, have been conducted to promote a better understanding of the Cartagena Protocol's biosafety provisions among those who are involved in regulatory assessment and biosafety compliance activities in the Asean region. Through these workshops, ACB helps countries deliver their commitment under the Protocol. The ACB calls on the Asean govern?ments to continue establishing clear mechanisms that will ensure the balance between achieving biotechnology's economic benefits and ensuring the safety of humans and the environment from its potential adverse effects. Further it calls on scientists, businessmen, members of the academe, farmers, investors, and the general public to contribute their share in establishing adequate safety measures that will give consumers an increased confidence in biotechnology products, thereby making biotechnology work safely. *------------------------------------------------------------* *INDIA 5-MONSANTO SEES INDIA ADOPTING BIOTECH CORN IN 5 YRS *By Euan Rocha 11-December-2008 Guardian.co.uk * Sees India adopting biotech corn in about five years * Expects to double its revenues in India by 2012 MUMBAI, Dec 11 (Reuters) - U.S. biotech company Monsanto Co hopes to gain regulatory approvals to commercialize some varieties of its biotech corn in India in about five years, a company official said on Thursday. "There is a fundamental (amount of) time that is required for crops to be evaluated ... We can be in the four-year time frame, but my guess is we will be in the five-year time frame on this one," Sekhar Natarajan, head of Monsanto's Indian operations, said in an interview with Reuters. Monsanto, which has been operating in India for almost six decades, recently got approvals to start initial trials for some varieties of its YieldGard and Roundup Ready corn seeds. India has taken a conservative approach to the adoption of biotech crops due to efficacy- and safety-related concerns. The country only approved Monsanto's Bollgard BT cotton trait in 2002. Since then it has also approved Bollgard II technology -- the traits protect the cotton crop against bollworms and other pests. The Bollgard traits -- which are marketed by MMB, an equally owned joint venture with Maharashtra Hybrid Seeds Co -- have been a success for the company, and in 2008 Bollgard seeds were grown on 17.2 million acres, or 76 percent of India's total cotton acreage, according to Monsanto. Monsanto contends that the wide acceptance of Bollgard has moved India from being a net importer of cotton to being the world's second-largest exporter. "We are seeing how small farmers, given the right tools, innovations and technologies, can really turn around and make India a powerhouse in agricultural crops," said Natarajan. Monsanto is now conducting trials on its third generation of Bollgard cotton, which it hopes to launch in about three years. The new seeds will be stacked with a Roundup Ready trait, which will make the crop tolerant of glyphosate -- a common herbicide used for weed control that was originally developed by Monsanto. *DOUBLING REVENUE* In fiscal 2007, Monsanto India Ltd, which is 72 percent owned by Monsanto Co, posted revenues of 3.4 billion rupees, or about $70.4 million. While Monsanto India's revenue was still a fraction of the parent company's fiscal 2007 revenue of $8.35 billion, Monsanto plans to double its revenue in India by 2012, said Natarajan. In India, Monsanto is currently focused on expanding its corn, cotton and vegetable seeds businesses, while also growing its glyphosate herbicide business. Monsanto is pushing to convert more Indian corn farmers to using hybrid seeds. Only 45 percent of the corn grown in India currently comes from hybrid seeds, so the company sees strong growth potential in this market, even before the commercialization of biotech corn seeds. Natarajan sees the drought-tolerance traits which Monsanto is currently developing as proving to be a great prospect for Indian farmers in the years ahead, as crop yields in many parts of India are primarily limited by a lack of adequate irrigation. The company would consider making acquisitions in India to grow its businesses, said Natarajan. "We continually evaluate opportunities in India and around the world for appropriate acquisitions that can strengthen our pipeline, R&D, breeding efforts, or market access," he said. "I look at Monsanto in India as in a growth mode. But, yes we are going to be careful about how we invest, because we don't want to throw caution to the wind." ($1 = 48.30 Indian rupees) (Reporting by Euan Rocha, editing by Gerald E. McCormick) *------------------------------------------------------------* *EUROPE 6-ITALY APPROVES GM FIELD TRIALS FOR SOME FRUIT AND VEGETABLES *11-December-2008 FlexNews 11 Dec, 2008 - Italy's has approved the resumption of biotech field trials after a hiatus of 10 years. Protocols for nine crops were approved but leave implementing regulations up to the regions?many of which have declared themselves to be GMO free. While the approval of these protocols may be a positive step, most Italian scientists remain skeptical about their actual significance. In their view, too many constraints exist to make field tests practical. In fact, many research centers have abandoned agricultural biotechnology research because there is little likelihood that any farm in Italy will be able to benefit from such research any time soon. "A glimmer opens, after ten years of darkness, for field trials of biotech crops." This is how a leading farm weekly magazine, "Agrisole" starts its press release, announcing the approval of the biotech field test protocols by the State-Regions Conference?a special body of representatives from the federal government and each of the 20 Italian regions that addresses issues of mutual interest. The path to this approval has not been easy. For a number of years, both public and private institutions have not been allowed to conduct research on biotech crops in Italy. By law, approval must first come from a special committee of ten members, comprised of two representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture, two from the Ministry of Environment, and six from the regions, followed by approval of the State-regions Conference. In 2007, the Ministry of Agriculture passed a Ministerial decree, endorsed by the special committee, approving protocols to re-start biotech field trials, which had been stopped for a number of years. But the decree was opposed by the Minister of Environment, Alfonso Pecoraro Scanio, who also was the leader of Italy's Green party. Last August, the new Minister of Environment, Stefania Prestigiacomo, endorsed the above protocols, which were then approved by the State-Regions Conference. The Ministerial decree is now waiting for the final signature from Minister of Agriculture Zaia, after which it will be published in the Official Gazette. Although Zaia has publicly maintained a strong opposition to agricultural biotechnology, most observers expect him to sign the decree. Nine protocols were approved; one each for kiwis, citrus, sweet cherries, strawberries, corn, egg plants, olives, tomatoes, and grapes. The decree leaves it up to each region to develop implementing regulations, including the authority to adopt even more restrictive measures than the original protocols in order "to reduce the risk of contamination." Although most Italian regions have declared themselves to be "GM-free," some regions appear open to the biotech trials, including Lombardy, Veneto, and Emilia-Romagna?all located in northern Italy. The nine protocols all include stringent measures to prevent any "contamination" to conventional agriculture. Examples of these measures include the required use of anti-birds nets over GM kiwi-trees, a minimum distance of 1,000 meters between biotech and conventional corn fields, hand harvesting of biotech corn, and, in some cases, sterilization of the soil and incineration of the residues. Furthermore the trial fields must remain idle for up to three years following the trials. While the approval of these protocols may be seen by many pro-biotech observers as a positive step, most Italian scientists remain skeptical about the actual significance of this decree. In their view, too many constraints exist to make field tests practical. In fact, many research centers have abandoned agricultural biotechnology research because there is little likelihood that any farm in Italy will be able to benefit from such research any time soon. On the other side, environmental groups have protested against the approval of the protocols, reiterating their concerns about the possible contamination. *------------------------------------------------------------ Global 7-WATERPROOF RICE PASSES INTERNATIONAL FIELD TESTS *By Imelda V. Abano 05-December-2008 SciDev.Net A new type of rice that can survive total submersion for more than two weeks has passed its field tests with "flying colours," say researchers, and is now close to official release. Scientists hope that the rice can make a major difference in Bangladesh and India where up to four million tons of rice per year ? enough to feed 30 million people ? are lost because of flooding. 'Sub1' rice is identical to the high-yielding varieties popular with both farmers and consumers across Asia, except that it contains a single gene that gives it 'waterproof' qualities. The enabling gene, 'sub1A', was discovered 13 years ago in a traditional Indian rice variety by David Mackill ? now head of the plant breeding, genetics and biotechnology division of the International Rice Research Institute in the Philippines ? and Xu Kenong, his then graduate student. Scientists inserted the gene into other rice varieties and found that it became switched on when a plant was submerged. It acts to make the plant dormant, allowing it to conserve energy until the floodwaters recede. It also countermands the rice plant's normal strategy when submerged ? to extend its stem and leaves in an attempt to escape the water. "The potential for impact is huge," said Mackill, who collaborated on the project with the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute, India's Central Rice Research Institute and Narendra Dev University of Agriculture and Technology, also in India. "Submergence-tolerant varieties could make major inroads into Bangladesh's annual rice shortfall and substantially reduce its import needs." Crop scientists estimate that annual flooding leads to losses worth US$1 billion across South and South-East Asia. Mackill said flooding is even beneficial to the rice, which produces five tons for each hectare submerged for up to two weeks. He added that an ordinary rice variety without the 'sub1A' gene produces less than one ton per hectare. "Climate change will most likely result in more extreme weather events, including storms or heavy rainfall that causes flooding. We are continuing our research to increase the level of tolerance to flooding to a higher level," he said. "Within the next two years, the varieties will be disseminated to small farmers in flood-prone areas." The field trials mark the completion of a project funded for the past five years by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *DISCLAIMER*: Articles that are posted in this news service do not necessarily reflect the views of SEARCA. To post in e-group, e-mail bic at searcaweb.org. To UNSUBSCRIBE, click here . *Announcing availability of grants for the Young Cultural Ambassador Program 2009* *GM crops' socioeconomic and environmental impacts, to be discussed in international conference* *SEARCA scholars convene for an international conference * *SEARCA turns 42, bestows first Umali Award * *1st SEA award for aggie development to be conferred * *---------------------------------------------------------* *Download available paper and/or presentation handouts of some notable speakers presented at SEARCA Agriculture and Development Series. CLICK HERE. * *Young Cultural Ambassador Program 2009* *Khon Kaen University, Thailand 26 January - 04 February 2009 Deadline of Grant Nominations: 20 December 2008* *BIO Asia 2009* *Tokyo, Japan 19 - 20 January 2009 -------------------------------------------------------------* *JOB VACANCY IFPRI: Director for Program for Biosafety Systems Closing Date: 24 December 2008* *-------------------------------------------------------------* *CALL FOR APPLICATION BIOTEC, Thailand: Human Resource Development Program in Biotechnology 2009 Deadline for application: 15 March 2009* [image: visit discussion board] -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From searcabic at gmail.com Wed Dec 24 17:34:51 2008 From: searcabic at gmail.com (SEARCA Biotechnology Information Center) Date: Wed, 24 Dec 2008 17:34:51 +0800 Subject: [searcabic] Latest news postings on biotechnology, 24 December 2008 Message-ID: Right click images to view this page properly. If this e-mail does not appear as a web page, please click here. *Posted 24 December 2008* PHILIPPINES 1-MAPPING THE FUTURE : THE TEN OUTSTANDING YOUNG MEN FOR 2008 2-THERE IS GOLD IN CORN 3-VEGETABLE WASTES CAN CONTROL DISEASES 4-THE COLORS OF BIOTECHNOLOGY MALAYSIA 5-DEVELOPING BIO-TECHNOLOGY SECTOR AUSTRALIA 6-WESTERN AUSTRALIA PUSHES AHEAD WITH GM CROP TRIAL GLOBAL 7-GM CROPS HOLD KEY TO GREENER BIOFUELS *1-MAPPING THE FUTURE : THE TEN OUTSTANDING YOUNG MEN FOR 2008* by Albert Del Rosario (Ambassador) 22-December-2008 Philippine Daily Inquirer AFTER ONE long year of undertaking a nationwide search and an additional two months to complete the screening and judging process, on behalf of the Board of Judges, we are delighted to introduce the five TOYM Awardees for 2008, marking the 50th year since the founding of TOYM. As you may appreciate, TOYM is widely accepted as the country's most prestigious recognition of the truly outstanding young men and women whose exemplary achievements in their career have moreover resulted in benefiting our country and its people. This year's five TOYM awardees, which we understand is the fewest in TOYM's history, will join the elite club of over 400 awardees before them. From countless aspirants, we are honored to present them as follows: *Antonio Andres Alfonso (Food Science and Technology).* Dr. Tony Alfonso is currently the head of the Philippine Rice Research Institute's (PhilRice) Plant Breeding and Biotechnology Division. His remarkable contribution to science resulted in the successful cloning and functional characterization of a plant gene called "Restorer of Fertility" (Rf) to Cytoplasmic Male Sterile Petunia. At PhilRice, he is constantly applying new knowledge on the nature of Rf genes to fast-track the development of superior hybrid rice varieties in the Philippines. A passionate biologist and geneticist, he is the president of the Philippine Society for the Advancement of Genetics and the Philippine Phytopathological Society. *Rex Adivoso Bernardo (Community Service).* Despite being stricken with polio at a very young age and having been denied the privilege of early education, Rex Bernardo was determined to overcome his physical and psychological obstacles and eventually emerge victorious over his personal struggles. Even without formal elementary and high school education, he was able to complete his tertiary education in psychology and even successfully push for the creation of an enablement and empowerment program for the disabled in his college. He was granted scholarships at three prestigious universities, earning him three separate master's degrees in developmental management, human resources management and industrial relations. He is currently the director and professor of Mabini Colleges and engages in volunteer work to Gawad Kalinga in Camarines Norte. *Christian Joseph Rili Cumagun (Agricultural Science).* Dr. Christian Cumagun is one of the country's most accomplished experts in agricultural science of his generation. A dynamic researcher and scientist, he made several landmark achievements in the field of agricultural research, such as being the first to molecularly characterize Philippine Trichoderma strains, a biocontrol agent fungus against several plant pathogens, as a means of reducing pesticide use in agriculture. A dedicated academician, he is one of the few resident educators who have been appointed to the rank of "UP Scientist" in the University of the Philippines System, an honor of great prestige in the academic community. *Kristin Karen Lising Davila (Broadcast Journalism).* Karen Davila is currently a news anchor and investigative journalist in ABS-CBN. In almost two decades of being immersed in the media spotlight, she was able to marshal her beauty, talent and drive in using mass media--both television and radio--as a powerful tool for education and as an instrument for change. As an advocate, she sees herself as a vessel for empathy and positive action. Off camera, she walks her talk, using her celebrity and influence for advocacy work for global institutions, such as World Vision and Habitat for Humanity. *Joseph Felix Mari Hotchkiss Durano (Ecological Tourism).* Ace Durano is currently the secretary of the Department of Tourism. Since assuming the post in 2004, the former Cebu congressman has rationalized the country's tourism drive, formulated well-focused campaigns, and launched ecological tourism programs that market the vibrancy and natural endowments of Philippine travel sites. Under his leadership, the Philippines' tourism machine is now rated as the best-improved and performing in Asia. In closing, I believe it was Mahatma Gandhi who said that the difference between what you do and what you can do is enough to solve most of the world's problems. I think we all agree that only we, as individuals, can make moral decisions; that only we, as individuals, can bring about change when change is needed; and that we can and must help others to achieve our shared goals. The five TOYM awardees are cited for different disciplines in which they have served to demonstrate excellence, but they do have one thing in common--all of them have endeavored to reach beyond their grasp and succeeded in doing so. To our dear awardees, we therefore proffer to you our congratulations, our admiration and our respect. Please realize that your journey has just begun, however, as we fully trust that you will continue to provide us with your most inspiring leadership, which our people so badly need. *(The article reflects the personal opinion of the author and does not reflect the official stand of the Management Association of the Philippines. This was lifted from the author's remarks at the press conference to introduce 2008 Awardees. The author served as the chair of the board of judges for the TOYM 2008. He is former president of the Management Association of the Philippines and chair of Gotuaco del Rosario & Associates. Feedback at map at globelines.com.ph. For previous articles, please visit map.org.ph )* *------------------------------------------------------------* *2-THERE IS GOLD IN CORN* by Adora D. Rodriguez 21-December-2008 The Philippine STAR Poverty and lack of education should not hinder a man's quest for success. This was proven by 48-year old corn farmer Edilberto "Alou" Bitacura from Zamboanga Peninsula who bagged the Most Outstanding Corn Farmer award during the 2008 Gawad Saka of the Department of Agriculture. Having attained only a secondary level of education, Alou learned to till the land at the age 17. When kids his age were hanging around with their friends as what normal teenagers do, he was busy tending their land, helping his farmer-parents with their daily farm chores. "Sa kanila ako natutong magsaka," he said referring to his parents who have been planting corn for more than six decades. "Sa simula, mais lang talaga ang itinanim ko. Kasi, iyon ang nakagisnan ko sa kanila," he added. Throughout his farming life, Alou has been planting traditional corn varieties. It was not until 2005, when he embarked on planting hybrid corn. While a new technology for him, he did not hesitate to try it. And it paid well. >From an average of 4.5 tons per hectare, he was able to raise his yield to 10.5 tons/ha in the first cropping of 2007 then to 11.2 tons/ha in the 2nd cropping. Alou did not limit himself to planting corn. He embarked on other agri projects not only to maximize his five-hectare land area but more so to earn income on a regular basis as well. Nowadays, his farm is a paradise for corn and rice production intercropped with cutflowers, vegetables and calamansi. He has also established a piggery, poultry and other livestock projects within his farm for additional income. From all of these, he is grossing more than P1.5 million annually. With increased earnings, he and wife Jorgie were able to purchase farm equipment such as thresher, sheller, and hand tractor. They were also able to send their five children to school and build their dream house. For a man who does not say much, quiet and unassuming Alou has a lot to boast about. For one, he now belongs to the distinguished list of agricultural achievers of the country who have continued to contribute to the country's economy through advancement in the field of agriculture. His passion to uplift not only his personal economic status, but those of his fellow farmers as well, has led to numerous innovations that in turn established a more progressive corn-producing community. *------------------------------------------------------------* *3-VEGETABLE WASTES CAN CONTROL DISEASES* 21-December-2008 The Philippine STAR Scientists in Bukidnon recently discovered that crop wastes from cabbage, cauliflower and other cruciferous vegetables mixed with the soil can effectively control soil-borne diseases such as bacterial wilt and root knot, which affect potato plants. According to the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCARRD), the approach of using crop wastes from crucifers ? plants with four-petaled flowers and long, narrow seed pods ? is anchored on the concept of biofumigation. "Biofumigation is a process by which soil-borne pests and pathogens are suppressed by naturally-occurring biocidal compounds called isothiocyanates," PCARRD said, adding that the ITCs "are released into the soil when the tissues of crucifers such as brocolli, radish, cauliflower, (and) cabbage" decompose. PCARRD said bacterial wilt caused by soil bacterium Ralstonia solanacearum and root knot caused by nematodes are "major constraints" in potato production. "In Benguet, Bukidnon and Davao del Sur, bacterial wilt infection can reach up to 90 percent, while root knot accounts for 25 to 50 percent yield loss in many crops, including potato," PCCARD said. Following a PCARRD survey, which found that 60 to 80 percent of crucifer stems and leaves are left in the field after harvest in Bukidnon, Abragan's team sought to evaluate the potential of these crop wastes as biofumigants against bacterial wilt and root knot. They gathered and shredded the leaves, stems and roots of crucifers left over from the previous harvest, then mixed the shredded plants into the soil at a ratio of five kilos per square meter. Abragan's team found out that when a mix of different crucifers is incorporated into the soil, the incidence of bacterial wilt could be as low as 21 percent and the potato crop yield as high as 11 tons per hectare. The incidence of bacterial wilt in untreated soil could be as high as 58 percent, and potato crop yield as low as six tons per hectare. The results of farm trials in Lantapan, Bukidnon showed the use of mixed crucifers as biofumigants resulted in yields of eight to 11 tons per hectare, a net income between P198,000 and P286,000 and a return on investment (ROI) of 133 to 193 percent. Without biofumigation, Abragan's team found that the yield was at 6.67 tons per hectare, net income at P166,750 and the ROI was at only 114 percent. ? Dulce Arguelles-Sanchez *------------------------------------------------------------ 4-THE COLORS OF BIOTECHNOLOGY* by Framelia V. Anonas, S&T Media Service 03-December-2008 Philippines Department of Science and Agriculture A flag of many colors, that is how Department of Science and Technology Secretary Estrella Alabastro describes biotechnology during the opening of the National Biotechnology Week (NBW) Nov 24 at the Institute for Small Scale Industries in UP Diliman. "If we could weave a flag for biotechnology, it would have three colors," says Sec. Alabastro. "Red for medical, green for agricultural, and white for industrial applications." More colors may be added over time as the environmental, marine, and other biotechnology applications add their stripes, she tells. Sec. Alabastro's multi-color description of biotechnology stems from its being a multi-disciplinary science, cutting across various fields such as health and medicine, agriculture, marine, industry, and environment. This year's celebration of the NBW highlights 17 biotechnology products locally developed by scientists from various research organizations such as UP Los Ba?os, UP Diliman, Philippine Coconut Authority, Central Luzon State University, Philippine Rice Research Institute, Philippine Carabao Center, and the Department of Science and Technology. Sec.Alabastro underscores the importance of NBW as a venue to continuously learn from experiences of researchers and open channels of communication about new issues and their implications. "Biotechnology's future will be bright as it continues to draw strength from diverse contributions. Its flag of many colors will continue to reflect the hues and patterns of many disciplines," Sec. Alabastro says. Other biotech products already developed by local scientists include biofertilizers, ethanol-production-inducing bacteria, and micronutrient enhancement products. As early as 1998, high-level biotechnology researches started, such as transgenic papaya, banana resistant to banana bunchy top virus, papaya resistant to papaya ringspot virus, delayed ripening of papaya and mango, Bt corn, marker-assisted breeding in coconut, and coconut with high lauric acid content. Proclamation No. 1414 signed by Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo Nov. 9 last year declared the last week of November of every year as "National Biotechnology Week" in a bid to arouse greater public awareness, education and understanding of biotechnology, including its many responsible applications. The government also takes the NBW celebration as an opportunity to increase awareness on the regulation of the new technology. *------------------------------------------------------------* *MALAYSIA 5-DEVELOPING BIO-TECHNOLOGY SECTOR *23-December-2008 The Star Online KUANTAN: The Pahang government is opening its doors to Singaporean investors to invest in developing the biotechnology sector in the state. "In agriculture, we cannot afford to give wide area of land to investors, but we can provide land for bio-technology development," Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob told reporters after receiving a courtesy call from Singapore's Information, Communications and Culture Minister Dr Lee Boon Yang. Adnan said both Singaporean investors and the Pahang government could also collaborate in the information and communication technology (ICT) sector. He said the state government had submitted a proposal to the federal government to develop highspeed broadband in the state by sharing expertise and technology with Singapore. "However, it all depends on the federal government," he said. So far, Pahang has received RM230 million worth of investment from 19 Singaporean companies involved in the chemical, timber, steel and electronic industries, which provided 2,800 job opportunities for the local people. Apart from that, Adnan said Pahang also recorded 5.2 million tourist arrivals from Singapore for the past six years with Tioman Island, Cameron Highland and Genting Highlands being the popular destinations. Meanwhile, Lee said he and Adnan had a good discussion during their brief meeting. "We talked about the developments that were taking place in the state and I am very impressed by what is happening here, both in terms of technology projects and agriculture development," he said.?Bernama. *------------------------------------------------------------ AUSTRALIA 6-WESTERN AUSTRALIA PUSHES AHEAD WITH GM CROP TRIAL *24-December-2008 The Australian IN a move condemned by conservation groups as a major blow to Western Australia's green reputation, the Barnett Government will begin trials of genetically modified canola next year. In announcing the trials, which involve 20 farmers, the Government said yesterday it had fulfilled a pledge made during the election campaign on an issue that had divided the major parties. Following similar moves in NSW and Victoria, 1000ha across the state will be planted with Monsanto's GM Roundup Ready canola. The locations of the trials are yet to be determined. Yields will be assessed and compared with non-GM crops. West Australian Agriculture and Food Minister Terry Redman said successful development of the crop could lead to Roundup Ready being grown in low rainfall areas across the state. "This decision is a prudent and responsible one, to proceed in a cautious manner by allowing research to continue into the use of GM technology," Mr Redman said. "GM canola could potentially offer higher yields through better weed control and less fuel usage." Green groups are infuriated by the move. Conservation Council of Western Australia director Piers Verstegen said that, by following other states, the Barnett Government was losing the opportunity to capitalise on growing demand for GM-free crops. "The Government is indicating it is prepared to walk away from important overseas markets such as Japan and now China, who has recently announced that they are looking to Australia for non-GM food crops," Mr Verstegen said. The Network of Concerned Farmers is outraged by the decision, which it says will lead to cross-pollination with non-GM crops and prevent canola in the entire state from gaining GM-free labels. "This is not a trial," spokeswoman Julie Newman said. "Once you lose GM-free status, you never get it back." The Western Australian Farmers Federation welcomed the trials. Chief executive Andy McMillan said: "Details of the limited commercial release announced by the minister will enable the industry supply chain to demonstrate that managing GM canola from the paddock to the port is not the logistical nightmare that has been put forward by some industry and consumer sectors." *------------------------------------------------------------ GLOBAL 7-GM CROPS HOLD KEY TO GREENER BIOFUELS *24-December-2008 The Economic Times WASHINGTON: Genetically modified plants will open up ways to make cheaper, greener biofuels, besides help to turn agricultural waste into food for livestock. Lignin, a major component of plants, is woven in with cellulose and provides plants with the strength to withstand strong gusts of wind and microbial attack. However, this protective barrier or "plastic wall" also makes it harder to gain access to the cellulose. "There is lots of energy-rich cellulose locked away in wood," said Penn State University professor of molecular genetics John Carlson. "But separating this energy from the wood to make ethanol is a costly process requiring high amounts of heat and caustic chemicals. Moreover, fungal enzymes that attack lignin are not yet widely available, still in the development stage, and not very efficient in breaking up lignin." Researchers have previously tried to get around the problem by genetically decreasing the lignin content in plants. However, this can lead to a variety of problems like limp plants unable to stay upright, and plants more susceptible to pests. "Trying to engineer trees without lignin is like trying to engineer boneless chicken," said Penn State professor of biochemistry Ming Tien. Mr Carlson, Mr Tien and postdoctoral associate Haiying Liang use a different genetic approach. Instead of decreasing the lignin content, they are trying to modify the connections in lignin, without compromising either the biosynthesis of lignin or the structural rigidity of the plant. The Penn State geneticists and biochemists took a gene from beans and engineered it into a poplar tree. This gene produces a protein that inserts itself between two lignin molecules when the lignin polymer is created. "Now we have a lignin polymer with a protein stuck in between," explained Mr Carlson, who, along with Mr Tien and Mr Liang, has filed a provisional patent on the approach. "When that occurs, it creates a type of lignin that is not much different in terms of strength than normal lignin, but we can break open the lignin polymer by using enzymes that attack proteins rather than enzymes that attack lignin." The genetic modification does not appear to weaken the plants, and the transformation may have turned them into more efficient sources of ethanol, said a Penn State release. "When we looked at the first generation of modified plants we noticed that the lignin content has not changed," said Mr Tien, whose work is funded by the US Department of Energy. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *DISCLAIMER*: Articles that are posted in this news service do not necessarily reflect the views of SEARCA. To post in e-group, e-mail bic at searcaweb.org. To UNSUBSCRIBE, click here . *Announcing availability of grants for the Young Cultural Ambassador Program 2009* *GM crops' socioeconomic and environmental impacts, to be discussed in international conference* *SEARCA scholars convene for an international conference * *SEARCA turns 42, bestows first Umali Award * *1st SEA award for aggie development to be conferred * *---------------------------------------------------------* *Download available paper and/or presentation handouts of some notable speakers presented at SEARCA Agriculture and Development Series. CLICK HERE. * *--------------------------------------------------------- JOB VACANCY SEARCA Director Deadline of Application: 14 February 2009 (via e-mail) or 16 February 2009 (via courier/post) * *Download Application Form* *View details* *SEARCA ADSS: Should trade liberalization in agriculture wait for better marketing links between the regions? An application of the Philippine Regional General Equilibrium Model (PRGEM)* *by Dr. Roehlano M. Briones SEARCA, College, Laguna, Philippines 06 January 2009, 4:00 - 5:00 PM* *BIO Asia 2009* *Tokyo, Japan 19 - 20 January 2009 -------------------------------------------------------------* *JOB VACANCY IFPRI: Director for Program for Biosafety Systems Closing Date: 24 December 2008* *-------------------------------------------------------------* *CALL FOR APPLICATION BIOTEC, Thailand: Human Resource Development Program in Biotechnology 2009 Deadline for application: 15 March 2009* [image: visit discussion board] -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From searcabic at gmail.com Wed Dec 24 17:40:25 2008 From: searcabic at gmail.com (SEARCA Biotechnology Information Center) Date: Wed, 24 Dec 2008 17:40:25 +0800 Subject: [searcabic] Holiday Greetings from SEARCA BIC! Message-ID: Right click images to view this page properly. 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