From bic at agri.searca.org  Tue Nov  4 15:55:16 2008
From: bic at agri.searca.org (bic at agri.searca.org)
Date: Tue, 4 Nov 2008 15:55:16 +0800 (CST)
Subject: [searcabic] [Fwd: New biotech article]
Message-ID: <10657.119.111.78.140.1225785316.squirrel@www.searca.org>

Dear Friends,

We are pleased to share with you the article titled, "Bioengineered Crops
as Tools for International Development: Opportunities and Strategic
Considerations", by one of our e-group members, Dr. Peter Gregory of
Cornell University.

Best regards,


E-group Moderator
SEARCA BIC

---------------------------- Original Message ----------------------------
Subject: New biotech article
From:    "Peter Gregory" <pg46 at cornell.edu>
Date:    Mon, November 3, 2008 4:22 am
To:      bic at agri.searca.org
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear folks,

Please find attached a recent article in Experimental Agriculture
(Cambridge University Press), written by myself and colleagues from
around Southeast Asia, the USA and Canada, about bio-engineered (GM)
crops as tools for international development.

I thought that our strategy for development and
distribution/marketing such crops - and the example of Bt eggplant,
which illustrates the strategy in action - might be of interest to
you and your readers.

Sincerely,

Peter Gregory

Peter Gregory, PhD
Agricultural Biotechnology Consultant &
Professor of Plant Breeding & Genetics (Adjunct)
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
306 Rice Hall
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY 14853
USA
Email: pg46 at cornell.edu
Tel:  1-607 255 9855 (office)
         1-607 327 0068 (cellular)
Fax:  1-607 255 8186
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From searcabic at gmail.com  Wed Nov  5 16:24:25 2008
From: searcabic at gmail.com (SEARCA Biotechnology Information Center)
Date: Wed, 5 Nov 2008 16:24:25 +0800
Subject: [searcabic]  Latest news postings on biotechnology, 05 November 2008
Message-ID: <cfaa7ec0811050024k763c66b2xf5fbbf449c84e678@mail.gmail.com>

  Right click images to view this page properly. If this e-mail does not
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*Posted 05 November 2008*

*PHILIPPINES*
1-RP LEADS IN DEV'T OF GM CROPS IN SOUTHEAST ASIA
2-MULTINATIONALS EYE MORE POTENT Bt CORN SEED
3-PANLILIO SAYS BIOTECH CAN REDUCE EXODUS OF JOB SEEKERS OVERSEAS
4-BIOTECH EXPERTS DEVELOP VIRUS-RESISTANT ABACA

*VIETNAM*
5-VIETNAM TO HOST INTERNATIONAL RICE CONGRESS

*GLOBAL*
6-SURVEYS SHOW CONTINUED STRONG SUPPORT FOR AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY
7-SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS ENDORSE RICE ACTION PLAN


*1-RP LEADS IN DEV'T OF GM CROPS IN SOUTHEAST ASIA*
by Madel R. Sabater
05-November-2008 Manila Bulletin

The Philippines continues to take the lead in the development and approval
of genetically-modified (GM) or bio-engineered crops in Southeast Asia.

Philippine Council for Advanced Science and Technology Research and
Development (PCASTRD) Executive Director Dr. Reynaldo Ebora said that the
Philippines is the "most advanced" in crop biotechnology in the region as it
has the highest number of GM crops being developed in comparison to its
neighbors.

Ebora presented the "Updates on Safety Regulation of GM Crops in the
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)" during the two-day
preconference on Food and Nutrition Safety at the Shangri-La Mactan Resort
and Spa in Cebu.

Ebora said that as of last year, the Philippines has been developing seven
GM crops, with four already approved for planting or cultivation.

The four genetically-modified crop varieties approved for planting and
listed at the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) are Bt corn, round-up ready
corn, Bt 11 corn, and the stacked traits.

Filipino scientists are collaborating with the private sector in the
development of Bt eggplant, as well as papaya ring spot virus
(PRSV)-resistant papaya with delayed ripening trait.

The PCASTRD chief disclosed that the Philippines' success in developing GM
crops is due to its defined regulatory system and the strong support from
the scientific community, particularly the National Academy of Science and
Technology (NAST), one of the two national advisory bodies on Science and
Technology (S & T) under the Department of Science and Technology (DoST).

The Philippines' lead in developing GM crops is followed by Singapore with
three crops, and Thailand with two, particularly soybean and corn.

Ebora meanwhile said the use of biotechnology in Laos is "still at its
inception phase" while Brunei and Malaysia have yet to approve GM crop
varieties for commercial propagation.

He said other biotech-related developments in the ASEAN include Cambodia's
completion of its National Biosafety Framework and Malaysia's passage of its
Biosafety Act of 2007.

Thailand is also expected to pass the draft of its Biosafety Act by 2009.

Ebora noted however that although no GM crop have been commercialized in
Malaysia and Thailand, both are already advanced in terms of biotechnology,
pouring in a lot of investment in agri-biotechnology.

"ASEAN countries are in different stages of biosafety regulatory
development. The situation presents a unique opportunity to learn from each
other's experiences," Ebora said.

"Prospects exist for collaborative biosafety projects of mutual interest,"
he added.

*------------------------------------------------------------*
*2-MULTINATIONALS EYE MORE POTENT Bt CORN SEED*
by Melody M. Aguiba
05-November-2008 Manila Bulletin

Multinational seed firms Dow AgroSciences and Monsanto are looking into the
local commercialization of multiple benefit and 'second generation'
genetically modified (GM) corn.

Having successfully marketed since 2003 the Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) corn
that had a sole trait of being Asiatic corn borer-resistant, US-based
biotechnology companies now eye markets for the GM corn that is more potent
and resists broad types of pests.

Dow AgroSciences started in 2005 in its field testing of the "TC 1507,"
branded Herculex in the US.

"We already completed two seasons of field testing. Hopefully it will be
approved for release next year," said Antipas R. Criador IV, regulatory and
field research and development head of Dow AgroSciences, in an interview.

Monsanto also started this year testing a multiple-gene GM corn that it
considers to belong to a second generation of GM corn. The first generation
corn only has one gene.

"The second generation Bt corn Monsanto is developing has three genes," said
an industry official.

If a corn plant has only one gene against borer resistance, the pest may
develop resistance to this GM corn plant over a shorter period of time. But
with the GM plant that has three genes, pests may find it more difficult to
develop resistance to this GM plant.

Monsanto is completing this November its first season field trial on what is
called the Mon89. Its trials are in Pangasinan, Isabela, Bukidnon, Sultan
Kudarat, and South Cotabato.

Dow AgroScience conducted its field trials in seven sites. These are
Angadanan, Isabela; Marbel, Koronadal, South Cotabato; General Santos;
Sumilao, Bukidnon; Tacurong, South Cotabato; Tupi, South Cotabato; and
Banga, South Cotabato.

TC 1507, aside from being corn borer-resistant, also prevents corn
infestation from lepidopterans such as catworm and earworm. However, the
company does not yet claim resistance to other pests prior to further
evaluation of its market strategy in the Philippines. The company also has
yet to resolve with the Bureau of Plant Industry in certain data
interpretation.

It claims to have achieved a good yield advantage for its variety.

"Based on field trial, we have a 99.7 percent advantage over non-Bt corn,"
said Criador.

Biotechnology companies see opportunities in starting out?before setting its
foot in other Asian countries-- in the Philippines. The country is
internationally-recognized for having a more established regulatory policy
on biotechnology.

Out of 1,000 plants with the borer resistance, only three plants were found
to have damage while the non-GM corn plant had 997 damages, claims Dow
AgroScience.

*------------------------------------------------------------*
*3-PANLILIO SAYS BIOTECH CAN REDUCE EXODUS OF JOB SEEKERS OVERSEAS *
by Ira Karen Apanay
05-November-2008 Manila Times

BIOTECHNOLOGY can help the country generate more jobs and would reduce the
exodus of Filipinos seeking jobs overseas, Gov. Ed Panlilio of Pampanga said
Tuesday.

"We could develop biotechnology, like malunggay. The Philippines is very
rich in terms of resources, if we could only improve our natural and human
resources, the Filipino will stay and not migrate," he said.

Panlilio also said that Pampanga is open to biotechnology and the province
is supporting its use in agriculture, as long as it is safe and benefits the
populace.

"I am not an agriculturist, but is the use of GMO [genetically modified
organism] harmful or beneficial?" he said.

"When it is beneficial, like this moringa, which is a good and affordable
source of nutrients and already has a market for its products, we promote
this kind of practice for our people."

Panlilio said that biotechnology is a "means of expression and improvement"
to uplift the economy and resolve problems in migration and political
squabbling.

Panlilio also credited the Department of Agriculture-Biotechnology Program
Office (BPO) and Director Alicia Ilaga for promoting the use of
biotechnology to develop more products from the lowly malunggay.

Malunggay seeds are good sources of biofuel while its fruits and leaves
possess substantial amounts of vitamin A, iron, calcium, potassium and other
micronutrients.

The roots of malunggay are a good source of anti-cancer agents while its
trunk may be harnessed for the production of ethanol from cellulose.

Provincial agriculturist Dr. Mario Mangiliman reiterated the governor's
statement that Pam?panga is open to the use of biotechnology and the
province's Farm and Resource Management Department is now focusing on
malunggay cultivation.

Mangiliman emphasized that they are pushing for malunggay planting to fight
malnutrition. He added the provincial government has allotted P74 million to
purchase a shredder for the farmers to be able to manufacture their own
bioorganic fertilizers.

"We cannot treat agriculture with no importance because without agriculture,
industrialization cannot be a possibility. We should maintain it. We at the
provincial government support the initiatives of the agriculture
department," Panlilio said.

*------------------------------------------------------------*
*4-BIOTECH EXPERTS DEVELOP VIRUS-RESISTANT ABACA*
by Jennifer A. Ng (Reporter)
29-October-2008 BusinessMirror

THE Department of Agriculture's (DA) Biotechnology Program Office (BPO) is
seeking to prop up abaca production by developing better strains of the
plant that are resistant to the deadly mosaic, bract mosaic and the
bunchy-top viruses that crippled the country's biggest abaca producer in
1999.

Dr. Alicia Ilaga, director of the BPO, said the University of the
Philippines Los Ba?os (UPLB) College of Agriculture, the UPLB Crop Science
Cluster-Institute of Plant Breeding (CSC-IPB), Fiber Industry Development
Authority and the DA are now collaborating on developing varieties that are
resistant to the three viruses through radiation-induced mutation.

Dr. Teodora Dizon of the CSC-IPB in UPLB and her team worked on two
commercial varieties of abaca at the outset. These are the Tinawagang Pula
and Tangongon from Sorsogon.

Dizon's team tried to determine the lethal dose for the abaca varieties and
irradiate shoot cultures in order to find out the correct dosage to make
these varieties resistant to the viruses.

Suckers were collected from the two varieties and were analyzed for the
presence of viruses, with infected plants eventually being treated.

Tissue cultures of the Tinawagang Pula variety from Albay were also
obtained.

Both cultivars were successfully micropropagated through in-vitro culture
and system regeneration, and the rest were subjected to the process of trial
and error in determining the right lethal dose to attain the plants'
immunity.

Dr. Antonio Lalusin Jr. of the CSC-IPB in UPLB, also a member of the first
abaca project, worked on the development of molecular markers in abaca to
eliminate only one abaca virus, the bunchy-top.

The bunchy-top virus is the most deleterious among the three viruses. It
does not only destroy the fiber quality of abaca plants. Once the virus
hits, plant growth ceases. Therefore, the retrieval of fibers from the
infected plants would be impossible.

Lalusin's team utilized the bunchy-top resistant genes of Pakol, a variety
of banana, by cross breeding them with abaca plants and later on breeding
them back to the pure-bred abaca plants.

Tests for resistance to bunchy-top were later conducted by infecting the
plants with the virus.

The project aims to come up with bunchy-top-resistant abaca plants that
yield more fiber of good quality.

Ilaga noted that while Bicol accounts for 66 pecent, or 52,666 hectares, of
the total abaca area mapped by the department, it also reported a 27-percent
incidence of viral diseases, particularly bunchy-top.

The BPO noted that for the past three centuries, abaca production declined
by 0.15 percent, 0.84 percent and 0.12 percent, prompting the need to
reinvigorate the industry to respond to increased demand in the global
market.

*------------------------------------------------------------*
*VIETNAM
5-VIETNAM TO HOST INTERNATIONAL RICE CONGRESS
*24-October-2008 IRRI Press Release

The 3rd International Rice Congress (IRC2010) will be held in Hanoi,
Vietnam, in 2010, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the International
Rice Research Institute.

Hanoi - Vietnam will host the 3rd International Rice Congress (IRC2010) in
Hanoi in 2010. The world's largest gathering of rice scientists,
researchers, and technologies, the event will also mark the 50th anniversary
of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI).

The decision was announced in a joint statement by H.E. Minister Cao Due
Phat of Vietnam's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD)and
IRRI Director General Dr. Robert S. Zeigler in Hanoi today. The IRC2010 is
the world's largest rice gathering focusing on a food that feeds almost half
the world.

Dr. Zeigler said he was very pleased that the IRC2010 would be held in
Hanoi, especially because of Vietnam's success with rice production over the
past two decades. "Vietnam's rice industry is outstanding and MARD's
commitment to research and the best science is an example for others to
follow," he said.

Dr. Zeigler explained that IRC 2010 will incorporate the 28th International
Rice Research Conference, 3rd World Rice Commerce Conference, 3rd
International Rice Technology and Cultural Expo, and the 50th anniversary
celebration of IRRI.

He claimed that with its theme, "The Future of Rice," the international
congress will increase public and private support to help poor rice farmers
and consumers.

IRRI and AsiaCongress Events Company Limited (AsiaCongress) are the
organizers of the international event.

Thousands of delegates attended the first and second international rice
congresses in Beijing in 2002 and Delhi in 2006.

# # #

The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) is the world's leading rice
research and training center. Based in the Philippines, with offices in 13
other countries, IRRI is an autonomous, nonprofit institution focused on
improving the well-being of present and future generations of rice farmers
and consumers, particularly those with low
incomes, while preserving natural resources. IRRI is one of 15 centers
funded through the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research
(CGIAR), an association of public and private donor agencies (www.cgiar.org
).

# # #

For information, contact Adam Barclay, IRRI, DAPO Box 7777, Metro Manila,
Philippines;
tel +63-2-580-5600; fax: +63-2-580-5699; email a.barclay at cgiar.org.

Web sites: IRRI Home (www.irri.org), IRRI Library (
http://ricelib.irri.cgiar.org), Rice Knowledge Bank (
www.knowledgebank.irri.org)

*------------------------------------------------------------*
*GLOBAL
6-SURVEYS SHOW CONTINUED STRONG SUPPORT FOR AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY
*03-November-2008 The Western Farm
Press<http://westernfarmpress.com/news/agricultural-biotechnology-1103/>

An International Food Information Council (IFIC) report released on Oct. 23
concludes that 84 percent of Americans have favorable or neutral impressions
of agricultural plant biotechnology, while less than 16 percent hold an
unfavorable impression.

According to the 2008 Food Biotechnology: A Study of US Consumer Trends
Survey commissioned by IFIC, the majority of Americans would be likely to
purchase foods from plants produced through biotechnology for specific
benefits, including 78 percent who responded that they would be more likely
to purchase foods produced through biotechnology that required fewer
pesticides as well as products that provide more healthful fats like
Omega-3.

The IFIC survey follows several recent studies published that demonstrate
growing support for agricultural biotechnology worldwide.

On Oct. 14, The European Union released a report entitled: Do European
Consumers Buy GM Foods? The EU funded study found that consumers are buying
foods containing biotech ingredients, despite a perceived opposition to
biotechnology in the EU.

The study traces consumers' actual shopping behaviors with respect to
agricultural biotechnology products in ten EU countries following the EU
introduction of a mandatory labeling program for biotechnology foods in
2003.

The results unveil significant discrepancies when comparing people's
everyday choices at supermarkets to the attitudes they expressed towards
biotechnology foods in questionnaires.

Nearly half of the people who bought agricultural biotechnology-labeled
foods said they would not buy such products, while 30 percent of consumers
buying them did not know whether they had bought them.

In September, EuropaBio, the European biotech industry association, released
data demonstrating that more European Union farmers are choosing to use
biotechnology crops to boost their productivity despite a 10-year moratorium
on new product approvals.

An Asian Food Information Centre (AFIC) survey published in early October
reported that in light of the region's growing demand for high volumes of
quality food, consumers in China, India, Japan, Philippines and South Korea
are ready to accept foods produced using agricultural biotechnology.

The report, entitled Food Biotechnology: Consumer perceptions of food
biotechnology in Asia, found that in the midst of heightened media attention
on food concerns, Asian consumers have high confidence in the role
agricultural biotechnology can play in increasing future food supplies and
are open-minded to the various benefits of food biotechnology.

In addition, the study found that Asian consumers are especially inclined to
accept plant biotechnology if the technology contributes to a more
sustainable way of producing foods.

Similar to the European Union consumer study, the AFIC report concluded that
the presence of labeling of biotechnology-derived ingredients is not of
significant importance to consumers in their choice of foods.

*------------------------------------------------------------*
*7-SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS ENDORSE RICE ACTION PLAN*
24-October-2008 IRRI Press Release

Hanoi, Vietnam - The world's biggest rice-exporting and -importing nations
have collectively endorsed a new Rice Action Plan targeting many of the
problems that triggered this year's rice price crisis.

At a meeting of the ten-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations
(ASEAN) in the Vietnamese capital Hanoi this week, ministers of agriculture
unanimously endorsed a seven-point action plan presented by the
International Rice Research Institute (IRRI). ASEAN includes two of the
world's largest rice exporters, Thailand and Vietnam, and several importing
nations as well.

The endorsement came at the 30th annual meeting of the ASEAN Ministers of
Agriculture and Forestry (AMAF). It was presented as part of a comprehensive
food security strategy being developed for the region, home to more than 500
million rice consumers, including some of Asia's poorest.

"The message is very clear," IRRI's director general, Robert S. Zeigler,
said. "We have the scientific expertise, knowledge, and partnerships to grow
the rice Asia needs and now-with this endorsement by these nations-we have
strong political support. The only thing missing are the financial resources
needed to implement this."

Dr. Zeigler told the ministers that IRRI needs an additional US$15 million a
year for the next ten years to adequately support the ASEAN Rice Action
Plan. "At a time of trillion-dollar bailouts for the global financial
sector, $15 million a year is barely the annual bonus of a former Wall
Street executive," Dr. Zeigler said.

The Rice Action Plan was developed by IRRI earlier this year during the rice
price crisis in consultation with its partners around the region. It
includes the following measures:

1. Bring about an agronomic revolution to reduce existing yield gaps.

Depending on production conditions, an unexploited yield gap of 1-2 t/ha
currently exists in most farmers' fields in the rice-growing areas of Asia.
This yield gap can be reduced through the integrated use of stress-resistant
varieties and better crop management practices. This requires funding
support to programs aimed at improving farmers' skills
in practices such as land preparation, water and nutrient management, and
the control of various pests, diseases, and weeds.

2. Accelerate the delivery of new postharvest technologies to reduce losses.

Postharvest includes the storing, drying, and processing of rice.
Considerable losses occur in terms of both the quantity and quality of rice
during postharvest operations because of the use of old and inefficient
practices. The active promotion of exciting new technologies that are
currently available for on-farm storage and drying will reduce losses
considerably.

3. Accelerate the introduction and adoption of higher-yielding rice
varieties.

New rice varieties are available today that can increase production, but
farmers are not using them because the systems that introduce new varieties
are under-resourced. Enhancing germplasm exchange, variety testing, and
release pipelines can make current high-yielding stress-resistant varieties
and hybrids more widely available to farmers in irrigated and rainfed
lowland areas of Asia.

4. Strengthen and upgrade breeding pipelines for developing new
varieties and hybrids.

Funding for the development of new rice varieties has declined steadily over
the past decade or more. This must be reversed in order to develop the next
generations of new rice varieties that will be required for productivity
growth in sustainable agriculture. Several opportunities are available to
accelerate the development of new rice varieties and hybrids with higher
yield, better grain quality, and increased tolerance of abiotic stresses and
with multiple resistances to insects and diseases through new molecular
breeding approaches.

5. Accelerate research on the world's thousands of rice varieties so
scientists can use the vast reservoir of untapped genetic resources they
contain.

Working with IRRI, the world's nations have spent decades carefully
collecting thousands of rice varieties. More than 100,000 rice types are now
being carefully managed and used at IRRI and in Asian nations. However, only
a small fraction of these vital genetic resources has been characterized in
detail or used widely. New molecular methods have now opened the door for
revealing the valuable genetic characteristics in each variety.

6. Develop a new generation of rice scientists and researchers for the
public and private sectors.

Part of the current rice crisis reflects the lack of investment in science,
including human capital investment. The education and training of young
scientists and researchers are also vital concerns for the riceindustry.
Asia urgently needs to train a new generation of rice scientists and
researchers to enable the region to exploit the latest developments in
modern science more effectively.

7. Provide rice policy support.

Conducive policy environments are needed to achieve the fuller use of
technology for rapid production growth in an efficient, equitable, and
sustainable manner. Rice production is being affected by several dynamic
economic factors and their potential impact can be manipulated through
suitable policy reforms. The identification of policy constraints, the
generation of alternative policy options, and policy advocacy are therefore
essential.

For more information on the Rice Action Plan, including detailed
budgets, please visit http://solutions.irri.org/.



# # #

The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) is the world's leading rice
research and training center. Based in the Philippines, with offices in 13
other countries, IRRI is an autonomous, nonprofit institution focused on
improving the well-being of present and future generations of rice farmers
and consumers, particularly those with low incomes, while preserving natural
resources. IRRI is one of 15 centers funded through the Consultative Group
on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), an association of public and
private donor agencies (www.cgiar.org).

# # #

For information, contact Adam Barclay, IRRI, DAPO Box 7777, Metro Manila,
Philippines;
tel +63-2-580-5600; fax: +63-2-580-5699; email a.barclay at cgiar.org.

Web sites: IRRI Home (www.irri.org), IRRI Library (
http://ricelib.irri.cgiar.org), Rice Knowledge Bank (
www.knowledgebank.irri.org)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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*Three-in-one: Trees, veggies, and animals
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*Filipinos getting poorer and
hungrier*<http://www.searca.org/web/news/2008/oct/web/22.html>

*Let's look for
solutions?*<http://www.searca.org/web/news/2008/oct/web/10.html>

*Ecotourism: enjoying nature at its
best*<http://www.searca.org/web/news/2008/oct/web/06.html>

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*Download available paper and/or presentation handouts of some notable
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*International Symposium on the Biosafety of Genetically Modified
Organisms*<http://www.isbgmo.info/>
*Te Papa, Wellington, New Zealand
16 - 21 November 2008*

*Philippines National Biotechnology Week*
*Manila, Philippines
24 - 28 November 2008*

*2nd International Forum on Papaya* <http://www.ishs-papaya2008.com/>
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From 1svanloo at holland-chamber.org  Wed Nov  5 21:12:37 2008
From: 1svanloo at holland-chamber.org (davie jose)
Date: Wed, 05 Nov 2008 13:12:37 +0000
Subject: [searcabic] ***SPAM*** to bic
Message-ID: <000701c93f57$01cdf050$e51e2087@tqjtkk>

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From searcabic at gmail.com  Fri Nov  7 20:05:38 2008
From: searcabic at gmail.com (SEARCA Biotechnology Information Center)
Date: Fri, 7 Nov 2008 20:05:38 +0800
Subject: [searcabic]  Latest news postings on biotechnology, 07 November 2008
Message-ID: <cfaa7ec0811070405h2c620d8as77c868a1d32f0af6@mail.gmail.com>

  Right click images to view this page properly. If this e-mail does not
appear as a web page, please click
here.<http://www.bic.searca.org/e-news/index.html>
*Posted 07 November 2008*

*PHILIPPINES*
1-EXPERTS: GENETIC ENGINEERING IMPROVES PAPAYA AND EGGPLANT
2-BATTLE AGAINST HUNGER LIES IN A SEED
3-DEVELOPMENT OF CROP VARIETIES SEEN TO ENHANCE FOOD SECURITY
4-RP TOPS IN REGULATION OF GM CROPS

*INDONESIA*
5-INCORPORATE ICT, BIOTECHNOLOGY IN AGRICULTURE, SAYS ABDULLAH

*EUROPE*
6-EU PANEL OKS 2 GENETICALLY MODIFIED CORN PRODUCTS

*GLOBAL*
7-WORLD'S FIRST BLUE ROSES ON DISPLAY IN JAPAN


*1-EXPERTS: GENETIC ENGINEERING IMPROVES PAPAYA AND EGGPLANT*
by Izah Morales
05-November-2008
INQUIRER.net<http://blogs.inquirer.net/insidescience/2008/11/05/experts-genetic-engineering-improves-papaya-and-eggplant/>

CEBU, Philippines ? Scientists today are using genetic engineering to
improve the short shelf-life and post-harvest losses of papaya and lessen
use of pesticides on eggplants, experts said during a symposium on
biotechnology and nutritionally enhanced food crops here.

According to Dr. Evelyn Mae Tecson-Mendoza, research professor of
Biochemistry at the Institute of Plant Breeding-University of the
Philippines Los Banos (IPB-UPLB), the transgenic papaya or genetically
modified papaya by recombinant has now longer shelf-life than the ordinary
papaya.

"The papaya usually ripens two days after having a full yellow color and you
have to eat it on the second or the third day. Otherwise, it won't be
edible. With this technology, we can delay it from 4 up to 14 days,"
elaborated Mendoza.

Delaying the ripening of papaya was made possible through suppressing the
production of ethylene. This was done by inhibiting the ACC synthase from
synthesizing through the antisense technology, Mendoza said.

Since 1997, Mendoza has been using molecular techniques to solve the problem
on post-harvest losses measuring from 30 to 40 percent and the shelf-life of
the papaya. But it was only after 10 years that they conducted the first
field testing of a homegrown papaya.

Based on the results of the various biochemical testing, Mendoza said the
nutritional value of the transgenic papaya is similar to the ordinary papaya
noting that both have Vitamin C and antinutrient benzyl isothiocyanate
(BITC) contents.

Dr. Frank Shotkoski, director of the Agricultural Biotechnology Support
Project II Cornell University, for his part, related that the nutritional
values of Bt eggplant and the ordinary eggplant are identical.

Both Shotkoski and Mendoza are optimistic about the eventual transfer of the
technology to farmers.

Shotkoski cited that farmers in India have a high demand for the Bt
eggplant.

Mendoza disclosed that it will take two years before farmers in the
Philippines can use the technology.

"Because this is a technology that involves recombinant DNA technologies and
there are biosafety regulations. We need to do field testing under biosafety
regulations and we're also into progression of incorporating the PRSV
(papaya ringspot virus) resistance," explained Mendoza.

Meanwhile, Shotkoski deemed it important to analyze the socio-economic
impact and risk assessment of the technology.

"We don't want to spend an enormous amount of national public money on a
project that has very little or no return on investment. If we plan to spend
$2 to 3M on a project and it won't have any benefit to the consumer or the
farmer, then the technology won't be adapted. We use this as a guide to
assess the probability or the likelihood whether the technology would be
adapted," said Shotkoski.

*------------------------------------------------------------*
*2-BATTLE AGAINST HUNGER LIES IN A SEED*
05-November-2008 BusinessMirror

A NOTED Filipino agriculture scientist said the country's salvation from
hunger comes in the form of the lowly seed.

In an article to be published later this month, Dr. Calixto Protacio, a
US-trained professor of agronomy at the University of the Philippines Los
Ba?os, argued, "Biotech crops are the ultimate products of science-based
agriculture. The development of biotech crops harnessed almost every
scientific discipline from the crop sciences to genetics, biochemistry and
even computer science. It will be hard to conjure a more visible product of
the sciences in agriculture other than the biotech crops."

Protacio added that the biotech seed is a weapon that reaches the farmer and
does not need to be trained on improved technology to benefit from the crops
grown through genetic improvement.

It has been the bane of many countries, he added, that improved technology
seldom reaches the intended targets, and that extension workers are not
trained appropriately to impart the new knowledge.

"Biotechnology's potential is to bring science to the countryside even
without extension workers. How? Just by giving the farmer [the] improved
seed! If we can incorporate into a seed all that science has to offer, then
the fruits of science [actually a seed] would have reached the farmer. This
scheme fits in the natural cycle of agriculture where a farmer will secure
the best seed he can get," Protacio stressed.

Besides the seeds, he added that the biotech product may also be a
tissue-cultured plantlet.

"But even if produced by tissue culture, especially if by somatic
embryogenesis, synthetic seeds can also be produced by encapsulating the
somatic embryo in a suitable gel-like medium usually along with everything
that the embryo will need?just like a natural seed," he explained.

"So far the promise of biotechnology has only been realized commercially in
corn, albeit partly at that. Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) corn's built-in
crop protection capability has reduced the chemical-related expenses for
growing the crop and the farmers seem to find it cost effective. The
herbicide resistance also incorporated in corn is also relevant to our aging
farmers as less labor is required to weed the extensive corn fields,"
Protacio said.

While there has been enormous success in propagating Bt corn in the country,
commercial seeds developed by biotechnology still have to make their mark in
the rice farms and coconut plantations, he lamented.

"The reason for this is that the private industry invested heavily in
corn-biotechnology research unlike in the two other crops. Biotech research
in rice and coconut are primarily publicly funded. However, the fact that
public money is spent on these crops promises that the crop eventually
developed will be more relevant to the farmers and the general population,"
Protacio admitted.

The biotech expert bared that the government has been working hard to
develop Golden Rice, which have genes that carry vitamin A, to enable more
and more poor communities to benefit from the nutrients.

Vitamin A is crucial in battling blindness.

Nonetheless, experts are still arguing over the practical impact of Golden
Rice since research has to be done to boost the capability of the strain to
harbor a bigger amount of the nutrient.

*------------------------------------------------------------*
*3-DEVELOPMENT OF CROP VARIETIES SEEN TO ENHANCE FOOD SECURITY*
by Melody M. Aguiba
04-November-2008 Manila Bulletin

The development of crop varieties such as late blight-resistant potato and
black sigatoka-resistant banana under private-public partnerships will
significantly help raise local food security.

International institutions like the United States Agency for International
Development (USAID) and academic institutions including University of Oxford
in the UK, Tamil Nadu University of India, and the University of the
Philippines-Los Ba?os have been taking part in a collaboration that all aim
to provide technological benefits to resource-poor farmers.

One of these collaborations may soon result in the commercial release by
2010 of the genetically modified (GM) fruit and shoot borer (FSB)-resistant
eggplant in the Philippines, said Dr. Frank Shotkoski of Cornell University
in an interview.

GM eggplant has been found to give yield advantage of at least 50 percent
against non-GM eggplants under an insect-infested (FSB) environment.

Shotkoski is responsible for raising fund in this USAID-financed program. He
is also involved in the program to develop late blight-resistant potato that
was started by the University of Wisconsin for the US and black
sigatoka-resistant banana meant for Africa.

Both varieties may also be field-tested later for propagation in the
Philippines.

USAID has been working with both state-run UPLB and Tamil Nadu in the
development of the GM eggplant whose seeds will be publicly made accessible
in the form of open pollinated varieties (OPVs).

But the private sector is notably involved too in these partnerships.

*------------------------------------------------------------*
*4-RP TOPS IN REGULATION OF GM CROPS*
by Izah Morales
04-November-2008
INQUIRER.net<http://blogs.inquirer.net/insidescience/2008/11/04/rp-tops-in-regulation-of-gm-crops/>

CEBU, Philippines ? Among the member countries of the Association of
Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Philippines is the most advanced in
implementing safety regulations for genetically modified (GM) crops, experts
said here.

"Pinaka-advance tayo kasi we were able to commercialize GM products such as
Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) corn and herbicide-resistant corn. [We are the
most advanced because we were able to commercialize genetically modified
products such as Bt corn and herbicide-resistant corn.]," said Reynaldo
Ebora, executive director of the Philippine Council for Advance Science and
Technology Research and Development (PCASTRD) of the Department of Science
and Technology (DOST).

In contrast, LAO PDR and Myanmar are still in the initial stages of
developing biosafety policies.

Biosafety laws in Cambodia and Malaysia were approved in January 2008 and
July 2007, respectively. Meanwhile, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam that
have existing regulations are conducting field trials, said Ebora during a
symposium on Biotechnology and Nutritionally Enhanced Food and Crops here in
Cebu.

Ebora pointed out that market acceptance of GM crops is not a problem in the
Philippines.

" Kasi ang mga farmer, mas gusto nila dahil mas mataas ang yield. Sa general
public, it seems na mataas ang public acceptance. Kasi kung hindi mataas ang
public acceptance, kakaunti sana ung bibili ng seeds na itatanim.Ang
problema ngaun, kulang ung seeds na itatanim. [The farmers wanted Bt corn
because it has higher yield. It also seems that the public acceptance is
high. If the public acceptance is not high, then only few would buy seeds
for planting. But the problem now is that there are few seeds.]," Ebora
said.

Safety regulations GM crops can bring back trust in them, added Dr. Junshi
Chen of the Chinese Center for Disease Control.

"The Chinese government has decided to give a larger amount of financial
investment to further study new GMOs for the Chinese population. It is
serious on safety evaluation and safety assessment of new products," Chen
said.

*------------------------------------------------------------*
*INDONESIA
5-INCORPORATE ICT, BIOTECHNOLOGY IN AGRICULTURE, SAYS ABDULLAH
*29-October-2008 New Sabah
Times<http://www.newsabahtimes.com.my/nstweb/fullstory/22929>

SERDANG: Information communication technology (ICT) and biotechnology will
be incorporated in the agricultural sector to strengthen this sector to
cushion the adverse impact of the global economy, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad
Badawi said yesterday.

The Prime Minister said the National Economic Council had already
recommended and acknowledged agriculture as one of the primary sectors that
could be developed further to cushion the adverse impact of the global
economy.

The international advisory panel on biotechnology was also of the opinion
that incorporating ICT and biotechnology in the agricultural sector would
catalyse national development, especially in agriculture and the agro-based
industry, he said at a gathering with farmers at the Malaysia Agro
Exposition Park here.

He said it could further enhance good agricultural practice, produce better
seed and fertiliser and lead to the production of not only food products but
also pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.

Abdullah said Bank Negara had also acknowledged that agriculture was the
third most important sector in terms of contribution to the country's
economic growth.

He said the government's confidence in the agricultural sector was not an
empty dream but was based on its efforts and strategies to develop the
sector.

The notion that it was an outdated sector and needed no development was
erroneous because it could generate thousands of ringgit in revenue, he
said.

"Developing the agricultural sector is not something new because the
Agriculture Ministry and Maha (Malaysia Agricultural & Horticultural
Exposition) have been in existence for a long time. We're only adding value
to these things," he said.

The farmers must also have faith in the sector, he said, adding that some
farmers earned RM3 million a year by producing fruit sauces and some even
made RM15 million a year by producing tapioca chips and frozen foodstuff.

"Don't think it's troublesome, nonsensical and a mere dream to attain
success in agriculture," he said.

Abdullah said human capital development among farmers must continue to be
enhanced for them to learn new agricultural techniques and the use of
research products.

They should not consider their learning days to be over because learning was
a life-long process, he added.

He hoped that the gap between the agricultural and industrial sectors would
be narrowed with the development of the former.

Besides the farmers, agencies under the Agriculture and Agro-based Industry
Ministry must also play their role to develop the sector, said Abdullah who
toured the exhibition gallery and inspected the products of agricultural
research.

*------------------------------------------------------------*
*EUROPE
6-EU PANEL OKS 2 GENETICALLY MODIFIED CORN PRODUCTS
*by Constant Brand (Associated Press Writer)
01-November-2008 The Associated Press via Dayton Daily
News<http://www.daytondailynews.com/shared-gen/content/shared-gen/ap/Finance_General/EU_EU_Biotech_Crops.html?cxntlid=inform_artr>

BRUSSELS, Belgium ? The European Union's food safety agency approved two
genetically modified corns Friday, putting renewed pressure on EU nations to
drop their objections to the use of biotech crops.

Scientists at the Parma, Italy-based European Food Safety Authority, or EFSA
gave clearance to a Bt-11 corn seed made by Switzerland's Syngenta AG and
the 1507 corn made by the U.S.-based Pioneer Hi-Bred and Dow Agrosciences.

Both varieties offer resistance to insects, including corn borers and
certain butterflies. They were already deemed safe by the agency in 2005,
but were resubmitted for testing by the EU Commission in May amid fresh
claims by environmental groups that they were a threat to the environment
and human health.

The EU agency also said a French ban on another GM corn product, produced by
U.S. biotech giant Monsanto Co., was unjustified. The EU granted approval to
sell the seeds in the bloc in 2004.

Mike Hall, spokesman for Pioneer, welcomed the panel's opinion.

"This dossier has already been unduly delayed contrary to EU legislation for
nearly four years now and we urge the speedy approval of 1507 so that
European farmers can benefit," Hall said.

It will now be up to the European Commission to decide whether to issue the
companies licenses to sell the products in the 27-nation bloc.The issue
poses a headache for the Commission, which is trying to force reluctant EU
governments to drop some national GM crop bans, amid increasing global
pressure from Europe's trade partners.

The panel's decisions sparked a strong reaction from environmental group
Greenpeace, which called on the EU to suspend the agency's power to issue
safety checks until a full review of how the EU approves GM crops is done.

Greenpeace claims more research is needed to assess the long-term impact of
altered crops on the environment and human health and alleges the scientist
panel ignored evidence that the two crops could have a bad effect on
biodiversity and the environment.

"EFSA is becoming the laughing stock of the scientific community. Rubber
stamping anything the agro-biotech industry puts forward, with the blessing
of the European Commission, is destroying its credibility," said Marta
Vetier of Greenpeace.

EU countries are currently debating whether to change the way the bloc
decides on granting user licenses to GM crops and seeds.

Many member states, including Greece, Austria, Poland and France are
hesitant to adopt new crops fearing environmental consequences. Under EU
rules member states have to approve new licenses unanimously. If they can't,
the EU's executive commission makes the decision on behalf of all countries.

*------------------------------------------------------------*
*7-WORLD'S FIRST BLUE ROSES ON DISPLAY IN JAPAN*
by Danielle Demetriou (Tokyo)
31-October-2008
Telegraph.co.uk<http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/japan/3327043/Worlds-first-blue-roses-on-display-in-Japan.html>

The world's first blue roses have been unveiled to the public for the first
time at an international flower fair in Japan, following nearly two decades
of scientific research.

The blue-hued blooms are genetically modified and have been implanted with a
gene that simulates the synthesis of blue pigment in pansies.

The flowers, which were on public display at the International Flower Expo
Tokyo, will go on sale commercially in Japan in Autumn next year.

"This is the first time that these blue roses have been put on display in
public," said Megumi Mitsunaga, a spokeswoman for IFEX.

"They are attracting lots of attention here because they are so unusual."

The creation of blue flowers - ?historically viewed as a symbol of the
impossible - was masterminded by a subsidiary of Suntory, the Japanese
drinks company, which has invested three billion yen in the creation of blue
roses, blue carnations and other blue flowers since 1990.

Its scientists successfully pioneered implanting into the flowers the gene
that produces Delphinidin, the primary plant pigment that produces a blue
hue but is not found naturally in roses.

The world's first genetically modified blue roses were unveiled in the
laboratory four years ago, although further research was required to make
them safe to grow in nature.

Following the cultivation of test batches in the United States and America,
the company will be ready to sell them from next year and aims to open up a
global market for blue flowers worth an estimated 30 billion yen.

The blue roses were among 860 exhibits on display at the fifth annual IFEX,
the largest flower and garden trade show which is expected to attract over
32,000 visitors over the weekend.

Other highlights included glow-in-the-dark roses showcased in an array of
pastel hues in dark boxes, having been genetically modified to light up in
the dark.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*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<http://searcaweb.org/mailman/options/bic_searcaweb.org>
.

*Three-in-one: Trees, veggies, and animals
together?*<http://www.searca.org/web/news/2008/oct/web/24.html>

*Filipinos getting poorer and
hungrier*<http://www.searca.org/web/news/2008/oct/web/22.html>

*Let's look for
solutions?*<http://www.searca.org/web/news/2008/oct/web/10.html>

*---------------------------------------------------------*
<http://www.searca.org/web/announcements/photocontest2008/index.html>
*---------------------------------------------------------*
*Download available paper and/or presentation handouts of some notable
speakers presented at SEARCA Agriculture and Development Series. CLICK HERE.
* <http://www.searca.org/web/adss/2008/index.html>

*Transgenic Papaya Technology in the Philippines*
*SEARCA, College, Laguna
11 September 2008*

*International Symposium on the Biosafety of Genetically Modified
Organisms*<http://www.isbgmo.info/>
*Te Papa, Wellington, New Zealand
16 - 21 November 2008*

*Philippines National Biotechnology Week*
*Manila, Philippines
24 - 28 November 2008*

*2nd International Forum on Papaya* <http://www.ishs-papaya2008.com/>
*Fortune Pandiyan Hotel, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India
09 - 12 December 2008*
         [image: visit discussion board] <http://bsearcabic.runboard.com/>
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From searcabic at gmail.com  Mon Nov 10 07:53:05 2008
From: searcabic at gmail.com (SEARCA Biotechnology Information Center)
Date: Mon, 10 Nov 2008 07:53:05 +0800
Subject: [searcabic] SEARCA-ADSS: Transgenic Papaya Technology in the
	Philippines by Dr. Antonio Laurena, 11 Nov 2008
Message-ID: <cfaa7ec0811091553p78a80249v268fae4a9e8d1428@mail.gmail.com>

  Right click any image to view this page properly. If this e-mail does not
appear as a web page, please click
here.<http://www.bic.searca.org/e-news/announcement/searcaadss2.html>

The *Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in
Agriculture (SEARCA)* is pleased to invite everyone to the following seminar
on

*TRANSGENIC PAPAYA TECHNOLOGY IN THE PHILIPPINES*

*Dr. Antonio C. Laurena*
*Research Professor
Institute of Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture
University of the Philippines Los Ba?os*

Sam-Arng Room, SEARCA
College, Laguna, Philippines
*11 November 2008 (Tuesday)*
4:00 - 5:00 PM

The SEARCA Agriculture & Development Seminar Series (ADSS) is held every
Tuesday, 4:00-5:00 p.m. at SEARCA. It is open to the public.

The ADSS is meant to encourage the presentation and discussion of
development and research issues, as well as their implications for
agricultural and rural development. Through the ADSS, SEARCA proactively
contributes to having a vibrant scientific exchange within, and even beyond,
the Los Ba?os Science Community.

To learn more about the SEARCA ADSS, visit SEARCA website at
http://www.searca.org.
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From ntvergara at gmail.com  Wed Nov  5 10:15:10 2008
From: ntvergara at gmail.com (Napoleon Vergara)
Date: Tue, 4 Nov 2008 18:15:10 -0800
Subject: [searcabic] [Fwd: New biotech article]
In-Reply-To: <10657.119.111.78.140.1225785316.squirrel@www.searca.org>
References: <10657.119.111.78.140.1225785316.squirrel@www.searca.org>
Message-ID: <72ba48970811041815y7a11006s27cf22ed1086fb7b@mail.gmail.com>

Sirs:

Thanks you for sending a copy of the above-named article. It's a valuable
piece that should be a "must read" document for those engaged in development
work.

Regards,

Napoleon T. Vergara
===========
On Mon, Nov 3, 2008 at 11:55 PM, <bic at agri.searca.org> wrote:

> Dear Friends,
>
> We are pleased to share with you the article titled, "Bioengineered Crops
> as Tools for International Development: Opportunities and Strategic
> Considerations", by one of our e-group members, Dr. Peter Gregory of
> Cornell University.
>
> Best regards,
>
>
> E-group Moderator
> SEARCA BIC
>
> ---------------------------- Original Message ----------------------------
> Subject: New biotech article
> From:    "Peter Gregory" <pg46 at cornell.edu>
> Date:    Mon, November 3, 2008 4:22 am
> To:      bic at agri.searca.org
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Dear folks,
>
> Please find attached a recent article in Experimental Agriculture
> (Cambridge University Press), written by myself and colleagues from
> around Southeast Asia, the USA and Canada, about bio-engineered (GM)
> crops as tools for international development.
>
> I thought that our strategy for development and
> distribution/marketing such crops - and the example of Bt eggplant,
> which illustrates the strategy in action - might be of interest to
> you and your readers.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Peter Gregory
>
> Peter Gregory, PhD
> Agricultural Biotechnology Consultant &
> Professor of Plant Breeding & Genetics (Adjunct)
> College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
> 306 Rice Hall
> Cornell University
> Ithaca, NY 14853
> USA
> Email: pg46 at cornell.edu
> Tel:  1-607 255 9855 (office)
>         1-607 327 0068 (cellular)
> Fax:  1-607 255 8186
>
> _______________________________________________
> bic mailing list
> bic at searcaweb.org
> http://searcaweb.org/mailman/listinfo/bic_searcaweb.org
>
>
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From searcabic at gmail.com  Wed Nov 12 09:58:30 2008
From: searcabic at gmail.com (SEARCA Biotechnology Information Center)
Date: Wed, 12 Nov 2008 09:58:30 +0800
Subject: [searcabic] ANNOUNCEMENT: Dr. Peter Gregory's article on
	bioengineered crops, available for download!
Message-ID: <cfaa7ec0811111758v7678f224xb1fa799afa3a7e29@mail.gmail.com>

  Right click any image to view this page properly. If this e-mail does not
appear as a web page, please click
here.<http://www.bic.searca.org/e-news/announcement/announcement2.htm>
Dear Friends,

We are glad to inform you that the article: *Bioengineered Crops as Tools
for International Development: Opportunities and Strategic
Considerations*by Dr. Peter Gregory, is now available for download at
SEARCA BIC website.
Please click on or copy to your web browser the link below:

http://www.bic.searca.org/docs/2008/BioengineeredCrops2008.pdf

Best regards,


E-group Moderator
SEARCA BIC
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From searcabic at gmail.com  Wed Nov 19 13:31:54 2008
From: searcabic at gmail.com (SEARCA Biotechnology Information Center)
Date: Wed, 19 Nov 2008 13:31:54 +0800
Subject: [searcabic]  Latest news postings on biotechnology, 19 November 2008
Message-ID: <cfaa7ec0811182131s4e56c9feq28b086aa71fa012@mail.gmail.com>

  Right click images to view this page properly. If this e-mail does not
appear as a web page, please click
here.<http://www.bic.searca.org/e-news/index.html>
*Posted 19 November 2008*

*PHILIPPINES*
1-BIOTECHNOLOGY OFFERS SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS, SAYS EXPERT
2-P27-M BIOTECH LAB UP IN MINDANAO: AIMS TO ENHANCE REGION'S HUMAN RESOURCE
CAPACITY
3-BIOFERTILIZER FROM COCONUT COAXES CROPS TO YIELD MORE
4-BIOTECH EXPERT SAYS GM CROPS REDUCE CO2 EMISSION

*VIETNAM*
5-VIETNAM TO TEST GENETICALLY-MODIFIED PLANTS

*PAKISTAN*
6-WILL PAK LEARN FROM INDIA IN COTTON FARMING?

*GLOBAL*
7-INNOVATION SOLVING WORLD'S GROWING APPETITE


*1-BIOTECHNOLOGY OFFERS SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS, SAYS EXPERT*
14-November-2008 SEARCA BIC News
Release<http://www.bic.searca.org/press_releases/2008/nov14.html>

Food security, affordable energy, access to water, climate change and
pollution, and healthcare ? are among the pressing crises that need to be
addressed globally. One emerging technology that strives to address these
areas and offers sustainable solutions for the future, is biotechnology.

Dr. Benigno Peczon, member of the Board of Advisers of the Biotechnology
Coalition of the Philippines, said in a recent convention of the Kapisanang
Kimika ng Pilipinas ? Southern Tagalog Chapter (KKP-ST), that biotechnology
offers a lot of things. Biotechnology is not only a tool to develop
genetically improved crop varieties but it is also being used to increase
yields and augment food production to help end global famine and hunger.
Industrial use of biological systems for waste water treatment such as
bioremediation are now being used. Likewise, the advances of biotechnology
are applied in healthcare industry for the development of vaccines,
industrial enzymes and testing kits for cancer treatment.

"Biotechnology is the science of the future. It has a huge potential in food
and energy area," said Dr. Peczon. Agricultural science and technology,
including the indispensable tools of biotechnology, will be critical to
meeting the growing demands for food, feed, fiber and fuel. At present,
scientists are developing crops that can withstand marginal environmental
conditions, such as drought and saline soils. Biofuels technology for
greener environment are currently being developed and commercialized to
contend with the looming energy crisis.

Dr. Peczon, who presented a lecture during the KKP-ST annual convention with
the theme ? "CHEMBIZ: Let's Go Business with Chemistry', has also called on
future Filipino chemists to explore other fields related to chemistry such
as the diverse scientific discipline of biotechnology. He encouraged
entrepreneurship among Filipino chemists in advancing chemical science in
the biochemical industry, especially during this time of crises.

This year's KKP-ST convention was sponsored by the Philippine Council for
Advanced Science and Technology Research and Development (PCASTRD) and the
SEARCA Biotechnology Information Center (SEARCA BIC). *(Rochella B. Lapitan,
SEARCA BIC)*

*------------------------------------------------------------*
*2-P27-M BIOTECH LAB UP IN MINDANAO: AIMS TO ENHANCE REGION'S HUMAN RESOURCE
CAPACITY
*by Madel R. Sabater
12-November-2008 Manila Bulletin

The Department of Science and Technology (DoST) is establishing a
biotechnology laboratory in Mindanao through a P27 million project with the
University of the Philippines (UP) in an aim to enhance human resource
capacity building in the region ? the country's biggest production area of
agro biotechnology.

Philippine Council for Advanced Science and Technology Research and
Development (PCASTRD-DoST) executive director Dr. Reynaldo Ebora, in an
interview, said a research station equipped with a molecular biotechnology
laboratory, fermentation laboratory, incubators, tissue culture equipment
and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)-based detection kits, among others, is
being established in UP Mindanao to develop human resource capacity and
enhance biotechnology research and development capability in the area.

Ebora said the project is funded at P27-million and will run for three
years.

The project is already on its second year, including the Sago Biotechnology
project.

"The main objective is to (improve) capacity building in Mindanao.
Basically, we want to establish a biotechnology lab in UP Mindanao as soon
as possible," Ebora said.

"In the field of agro-biotechnology, our production area is in Mindanao so
it's just logical to put up a research station in (the area)," he added.

Ebora disclosed that the first few batches of faculty members in UP Mindanao
are originally from UP Los Ba?os.

He said the DoST is mulling to produce local talent, especially in
biotechnology, through the establishment of a well-equipped biotech lab.

The establishment of a biotech laboratory in Mindanao will also shun some
researchers' impression that science and technology manpower is only
centered in empirical Manila.

"It's our effort to reach out (especially since) we have a lot of resources
that we can study in Mindanao," he said.

Under the Sago biotechnology project in UP Mindanao, researchers aim to
conduct a molecular analysis of sago, particularly sago varieties with good
starch yield using tissue culture.

"If we develop products (from sago), we would be able to establish an
industry for the natives in Mindanao and it will be a big help for them,"
Ebora said.

"We want to have a processing industry (using sago) similar to Indonesia and
Malaysia," he added.

It was gathered that no sago plantation system currently exists in the
country.

Sago plants in the wild are being identified using ground positioning system
(GPS) and ground truthing.

The Biotechnology sector has been identified by the Philippine government as
a potential export earner, aside from major export earning industries like
electronics, autoparts, processed foods, coconut, and marine products.

*------------------------------------------------------------*
*3-BIOFERTILIZER FROM COCONUT COAXES CROPS TO YIELD MORE*
By Ira Karen Apanay and Ruben D. Manahan IV
10-November-2008 Manila Times

A biofertilizer made from coconut that helps crops to yield more was
developed by scientists at the National Institute of Molecular Biology and
Biotechnology of the University of the Philippines-Los Ba?os (UPLB).

Dr. Lorele Trinidad of UPLB says the biofertilizer, called Cocogro, could
replace inorganic fertilizers, reduce carbon emissions and mitigate the
effects of nitrogen and other elements.

"It's a crude mixture of growth hormones. There are growth hormones good for
rooting, good for shooting, so if you have vegetable seeds, the shooting is
good, as well as the germination. If the germination is good, more plants
are expected to grow because they already have a headstart," Trinidad said,
describing the product.

Trinidad, a member of the team that developed Cocogro, said the
biofertilizer was a result of an effort to use coconut water as culture
medium to cut costs.

"We found out that coconut water has many nutrients, it has ceased to be a
mere culture medium and has become the focus of our study," she added.

Trinidad noted that a lot of coconut water goes to waste and utilizing it
will avoid contamination of the environment.

"We extracted the most important of the nutrients, that which costs most.
And we thought of getting growth hormones," she said. "You deal with the
coconut wastewater. You no longer have to pay for the treatment and you get
an economic return because you have a high-value product," she added.

Trinidad said that coconut water used in backyards for growing orchids and
flowering plants was later shifted to seed germination and tissue culture.

According to her, they have used Cocogro as a substitute growth hormone for
banana-tissue culture. She said that it was a most profitable substitute
since imported growth hormones are expensive, sometimes reaching P1,000 per
milligram.

Trinidad added that research on Cocogro was stopped in the mid-1990s when
Dr. Juanita Mamaril, Trinidad's former superior and pioneer of Cocogro,
retired. Trinidad herself went on a study leave.

"When I returned, the demand was great because it was already tested, though
not really on a commercial scale. Those who bought Cocogro to be used on
orchids came back repeatedly," Trinidad said.

Due to demand, she and the rest of the team continued the research. "We need
to go through the next phase, which is purification, because the first is a
crude mixture."

Trinidad said that as of this writing, Cocogro does not have a Fertilizer
and Pesticides Authority (FPA) license yet since the research is still
concentrated in the laboratory and going large-scale requires a bigger
budget.

"We need the FPA's approval. Testing from an accredited researcher costs
P80,000 per run five years ago. We need two. We don't have the money," she
added.

According to her, they have been getting inquiries from coconut growers from
Mindanao and the Visayas.

"Many desiccated-coconut factories that throw their coconut water away are
looking for a technology in which the wastewater can be used because of the
high cost of wastewater treatment," she said.

She admitted, however, that much work still has to be done to produce
Cocogro on a commercial basis.

"We need to study more range of the product's effectiveness. We have used it
on vegetables and the seeds germinated fast. Lately, we have been testing it
on recalcitrants, low-germinating seeds that companies find hard to market.
That's our target," Trinidad said.

*------------------------------------------------------------*
*4-BIOTECH EXPERT SAYS GM CROPS REDUCE CO2 EMISSION*
09-November 2008
abs-cbnNEWS.com<http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/business/11/09/08/biotech-expert-says-gm-crops-reduce-co2-emission-0>

Genetically modified (GM) crops have an immense capability of protecting the
environment, an agricultural economist said.

According to Graham Brookes of PG Economics (United Kingdom), the use of GM
crops has reduced carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by an estimated 14.76
billion kilos in 2006.

He added that the growing impact of GM crops from 1996 to 2006 has resulted
in pesticide use reduction by a whopping 15.47 percent, covering a total of
27 pesticide active ingredients used by the European Union (EU) on arable
crops in one year.

In GM insect-resistant cotton, for instance, 5.6 million kilos of
insecticide were observed to be reduced, said Brookes. With the reduction on
spraying, less fuel is used which resulted in the reduction of CO2 emission
by 5.8 billion kilos or equivalent to 2.6 million cars off the road.

"This is equivalent to removing 6.56 million cars or 25 percent of cars
registered in the United Kingdom from the road in one year," he said in a
forum.

Biotechnology crops were also said to promote low or no till farming, a
system which has cancelled the release of 13.5 billion kilos of CO2 into the
atmosphere. If no tillage would be continued, 63.9 billion kilos of CO2
would be reduced through additional soil carbon sequestration.

In addition to this, Brookes said that the production of GM crops has
benefitted farmers, generating an accumulated income of $33.8 billion. He
added that such were able to effectively lower food prices, especially in
developing countries.

"Additional production has allowed significantly higher volumes of
commodities to be traded globally. It must have had an important positive
impact on mitigating the level of price increases in world markets," he
said.

*------------------------------------------------------------*
*VIETNAM
5-VIETNAM TO TEST GENETICALLY-MODIFIED PLANTS
*11-November-2008 VietNamNet Bridge via
Agbios<http://www.agbios.com/static/news/NEWSID_10188.php>

In 2011, the country will plant genetically-modified species of maize,
cotton and soybean on a large scale, said scientists at a workshop on the
global influence of biotechnology-enhanced plants in Hanoi.

"The productivity of each hectare of maize in Vietnam is 4.5 tonnes. If
biotechnology is applied, Vietnam's maize productivity would increase by 28%
while the cost would fall a lot," said Graham Brookes from the British
Economic Institute.

In Asia, genetically-modified plants have a higher yield than normal
varieties, for example 20% more for soybean, 7% for maize, 15% for cotton,
and 3% for colza. Twenty-three countries in the world allow
genetically-modified plants. Around 670 products from genetically-modified
plants are sold in 53 countries.

In Vietnam, the Agricultural Hereditary Institute has compiled a set of
rules on testing and evaluating genetically-modified plants.

Nguyen Quoc Binh, Director of the HCM City Biotechnology Centre, said the
centre will grow an anti-pesticide maize variety, a genetically-modified
plant from the Philippines, on a trial basis.

According to this centre, this kind of tree can help increase farmers'
incomes by $100/ha/crop compared to normal maize trees though the price of
seeds is $20-30/ha higher than for normal seeds.

Vietnam has more than 1 million hectares of maize and if this variety is
grown, farmers could earn an additional $100 million/crop (four months).

*------------------------------------------------------------*
*PAKISTAN
6-WILL PAK LEARN FROM INDIA IN COTTON FARMING?
*18-November-2008 Commodity
Online<http://www.commodityonline.com/news/Will-Pak-learn-from-India-in-cotton-farming-12792-3-1.html>

This is one area where Pakistan can learn one or two things from India. In
India, Bt Cotton has become a big hit with farmers and the cotton output has
gone up drastically after farmers opted for the genetically modified variety
of cotton.

But farmers in Pakistan are yet to embrace Bt Cotton and they face the
challenge of raising the static cotton production since the last several
years.

The projected targets for cotton yields are not being met due to continuing
crop losses in Pakistan. Boll worm & Leaf Curl Virus CLCV have played havoc
with crops in many areas. All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) and
farmer groups are continuously requesting authorities to bring latest
agriculture technologies in cotton so that Pakistan can regain its lost
position in the world as a leading cotton producer

Biotechnology seems the likely answer to all these problems in Pakistan
cotton fields. Around 8.2 million farmers in 17 countries choose to plant
biotech crops.

The use of biotech crops has significantly reduced pesticide usage while
increasing yields. It helps in reducing crop loss as the plant is less prone
to disease like Bollgard and curl leaf.

BT Cotton can protect against boll worms and may reduce the current losses
by half. Other measures like herbicide sprays can further reduce the losses
due to weeds. According to cotton industry analysts, Bt technology along
with RRF (herbicides) could reduce losses due to pests and weeds by 20 to 50
per cent thereby making up for the 2 million bales deficit that Pakistan
currently faces.

Another factor to consider is that as the approval process of BT cotton has
taken long, farmers have started importing / smuggling the BT seed.

This led to use of smuggled seed in Punjab by almost 60 per cent farmers.
But as there was no stewardship and guidance to the farmers, this posed
several serious problems. First, the pirated varieties are not developed for
Pakistan's agronomic conditions and do not perform well, especially against
mealy bugs and CLCV.

Secondly, while farmers have no assurance that they are purchasing quality
BT seeds, they nonetheless reduce insecticide spraying ?raising the risk of
increased pest damage, particularly later in the season.

Raw material from unapproved BT varieties results in reduced quality cotton
which traders are reluctant to export. Majority of cotton farmers are using
authentic Bollgard and Bollgard II cotton technologies in India, China,
Australia and the US where other BT cotton technologies have been introduced
and this clearly demonstrates the preference of growers based on benefits
realised by them.

Now Pakistan has signed a deal with Monsanto to initiate collaboration in
biotechnology ? an extremely favorable development for future
commercialisation of transgenic technology in Pakistan.

Monsanto cotton traits are currently approved in 13 countries around the
world. Monsanto has already started trial production to assess the BT genes
behavior in Pakistan's soil conditions and climate.

*------------------------------------------------------------*
*GLOBAL
7-INNOVATION SOLVING WORLD'S GROWING APPETITE
*by Jacqui Fatka
10-November-2008 via Farmonline Stock &
Land<http://sl.farmonline.com.au/news/nationalrural/agribusiness-and-general/general/innovation-solving-worlds-growing-appetite/1355912.aspx>

There is a growing need to produce food on less land.

Scientists now estimate that world food production will need to double by
2050.

Over the last decade, the world's population has grown 13pc and diets have
become richer, while farmers have met increased needs with only 6pc more
land.

Meanwhile, global incomes have risen 35pc. Growth in world meat consumption
increased 25pc, growth in corn consumption increased 32pc and growth in
soybean consumption grew 59pc.

Global productivity has increased exponentially. In the US, for example,
domestic farmers now produce four times more corn than in 1930 on one-third
less land.

Since 1981, global corn yields have increased 56pc, while land use has only
increased 9.8pc. This has essentially created 150 million "virtual acres".
As the figure shows, many developing countries have the opportunity to
double or even triple production.

Asia and Africa have the highest population growth rate in the world, making
it difficult to maintain adequate food supplies.

Still, in the past two decades, agricultural productivity has stagnated or
even declined in many countries in those regions for many reasons, including
low soil fertility, poor seed varieties, shortage of arable land, inadequate
rainfall and an abundance of pests and diseases.

While some countries have embraced agricultural biotechnology to improve
crops and yields, many have not.

In addition, lack of infrastructure prevents global productivity gains. This
includes poor transportation, storage, land use and water control. It also
includes soft infrastructure such as government policy, property rights,
market news and information.

Other setbacks in developing countries include a lack of modern equipment,
credit and insurance.

Innovation at work
The Alliance for Abundant Food & Energy is one group that is helping support
innovation. Its four founding members - Monsanto, DuPont, Archer Daniels
Midland (ADM) and Deere & Co. - believe that through innovation, today's
farmers can meet the growing global demand for both food and energy.

Many agricultural innovations remain unknown today, with behind-the-scenes
work helping to advance agriculture domestically and globally, explained
Mark Kornblau, executive director of the alliance.

The founding members have made important innovations throughout the
agricultural process, including seeds that yield more per acre, tractors
that use global positioning system technology to avoid reseeding rows and
processing techniques that allow the industry to make even more from a
simple grain of corn.

At the same time, these companies have sought to share their advances with
farmers through donations and training programs in the US and worldwide.

Biotech seed provider Monsanto is developing new maize varieties that are
more water efficient and drought tolerant for farmers in Africa. Through a
public/private partnership with the African Agricultural Technology
Foundation, Water Efficient Maize for Africa was formed in response to a
growing call to address the devastating effects of drought on small-scale
farmers and their families. Frequent droughts lead to crop failure, hunger
and poverty.

DuPont, the parent company of Pioneer Hi-Bred, is introducing better-quality
seeds in areas such as West Africa and Indonesia. Its particular focus is on
commercial maize hybrids to boost productivity in the region. Simply
switching from open-pollinated varieties of corn to hybrid seed can
quadruple yields on the same land.

Innovation often begins with education. ADM is working with Ivory Coast
farmers to attend field schools in order to learn the most advanced farming
techniques.

The John Deere Foundation is supporting long-term development and
sustainable approaches to help eliminate hunger through its Solutions for
World Hunger. As part of the program, the foundation established a
relationship with KickStart, a nonprofit organization that helps farmers in
Kenya, Tanzania and Mali get out of poverty.

Future needs
Kornblau explained that the agriculture industry can't advance innovation on
its own. The Alliance for Abundant Food & Energy is calling on the US
government to reorganise, refocus and adequately fund its foreign
agricultural economic development efforts.

This includes creating a high-level role in government to coordinate and
oversee efforts among various organisations with agricultural development
activities. It also calls for making agricultural development a higher
priority for US government organisations conducting economic development
activities.

In addition, the US needs to provide assistance in developing nations for
improving infrastructure that supports agriculture, such as farm-to-market
roads, storage facilities, water control, shipping, etc., along with farmer
extension programs and improved market information, Kornblau explained.

The alliance is also calling on a coordinated and expedited sharing of
scientific and agricultural market information with developing countries,
facilitated by land-grant university counterpart partnerships and
counterpart collaborations with the US Department of Agriculture's
Agricultural Research Service.

Importantly, a massive expansion of research and development is needed
domestically and abroad.

Here's the point
Don't dismiss the incredible, innovative nature of today's farmers in their
drive to meet a growing world population's needs for food and fuel.

According to the Alliance for Abundant Food & Energy, more than 75pc of the
public believes in encouraging innovation in farming in the developing world
so there are more crops for food and energy globally. In addition, more than
70pc believe that if done properly, agricultural sources can be effectively
used as both energy and food.

Many agribusinesses are already stepping up to the plate to help developing
countries grow more food on less land. In addition, through collaborations
such as the Alliance for Abundant Food & Energy, companies are calling on
the government to reinvest and refocus funding efforts on foreign
agricultural economic development activities.

Moving forward, it is important to continue investing in increasing global
production while also conserving the land currently in production. World
governments, as well as private and public partners, will play a crucial
role.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*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<http://searcaweb.org/mailman/options/bic_searcaweb.org>
.

*Three-in-one: Trees, veggies, and animals
together?*<http://www.searca.org/web/news/2008/oct/web/24.html>

*Filipinos getting poorer and
hungrier*<http://www.searca.org/web/news/2008/oct/web/22.html>

*Let's look for
solutions?*<http://www.searca.org/web/news/2008/oct/web/10.html>

*---------------------------------------------------------*
*Download available paper and/or presentation handouts of some notable
speakers presented at SEARCA Agriculture and Development Series. CLICK HERE.
* <http://www.searca.org/web/adss/2008/index.html>

<http://www.bic.searca.org/events/2008/NBW2008.pdf>
*Philippines National Biotechnology Week*
*Manila, Philippines
24 - 28 November 2008*

*Symposium on Biotechnology: Principles, Status, and
Opportunities*<http://www.bic.searca.org/>
*Umali Auditorium, SEARCA, College, Los Ba?os, Lagun, Philippines
25 November 2008*

*International Symposium on the Biosafety of Genetically Modified
Organisms*<http://www.isbgmo.info/>
*Te Papa, Wellington, New Zealand
16 - 21 November 2008*

*2nd International Forum on Papaya* <http://www.ishs-papaya2008.com/>
*Fortune Pandiyan Hotel, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India
09 - 12 December 2008*
         [image: visit discussion board] <http://bsearcabic.runboard.com/>
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From searcabic at gmail.com  Fri Nov 21 17:10:50 2008
From: searcabic at gmail.com (SEARCA Biotechnology Information Center)
Date: Fri, 21 Nov 2008 17:10:50 +0800
Subject: [searcabic]  ANNOUNCEMENT: National Biotechnology Week,
	24 - 28 November 2008
Message-ID: <cfaa7ec0811210110x7256cc81g647355c2a3653a33@mail.gmail.com>

  Right click any image to view this page properly. If this e-mail does not
appear as a web page, please click
here.<http://www.bic.searca.org/e-news/announcement/announcement.htm>

In observance of* Presidential Proclamation No. 1414* issued by President
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo last year that institutionalizes the celebration of
the *National Biotechnology Week*, we are very pleased to inform you that we
will be celebrating the

*4TH NATIONAL BIOTECHNOLOGY WEEK*
*"Making Biotechnology Work for You"*

*November 24 - 28, 2008*

*Opening Ceremony:
Institute of Small-Scale Industries (ISSI), University of the Philippines,
Diliman, Quezon City*

National Biotechnology Week is an annual undertaking aimed at highlighting
Filipino Biotechnology and
enhancing its application to reach government's targets on the Millennium
Development Goals (MDGs):
fight poverty, enhance human development and build prosperity for the
greatest number of Filipino
people.
This week-long event is a concerted initiative with other government
agencies such as Department of Science and Technology, Department of
Education, Department of Internal and Local Government, Department of
Health, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and Department of
Trade and Industry, as well as organizations from the private sector.


To view program of activities, please click on the link below:

http://www.bic.searca.org/events/2008/NBW2008.pdf.
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From searcabic at gmail.com  Mon Nov 24 19:37:11 2008
From: searcabic at gmail.com (SEARCA Biotechnology Information Center)
Date: Mon, 24 Nov 2008 19:37:11 +0800
Subject: [searcabic]  ANNOUNCEMENT: Symposium on Biotechnology: Principles,
	Status & Opportunities, 25 November 2008
Message-ID: <cfaa7ec0811240337r44f4fbbaw21cc6cdc0ade9b58@mail.gmail.com>

  Right click any image to view this page properly. If this e-mail does not
appear as a web page, please click
here.<http://www.bic.searca.org/e-news/announcement/announcement.htm>

In line with the celebration of the *National Biotechnology Week*,

the *Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study & Research in
Agriculture (SEARCA)* through the *Biotechnology Information Center*,
the *University
of the Philippines Los Ba?os (UPLB)*, and the *Program for Biosafety Systems
Southeast Asia (PBS-SEAsia)* will organize a

*SYMPOSIUM ON BIOTECHNOLOGY: *
*Principles, Status, and Opportunities*

*25 November 2008, 8:30 - 11:30 AM
Umali Auditorium, SEARCA, College, Laguna, Philippines*

For further details, please contact:

Ms. Jenny A. Panopio
Special Project Coordinator and BIC Network Administrator
Biotechnology Information Center
SEARCA, College, Laguna, Philippines
Telephone no.: (63-49) 536 2290 local 406
E-mail: jap at agri.searca.org

The week-long program for the National Biotechnology Week, can also be
viewed at the link below:

http://www.bic.searca.org/events/2008/NBW2008.pdf
The National Biotechnology Week is a concerted initiative with the
Department of Agriculture, Department of Science and Technology, Department
of Education, Department of Internal and Local Government, Department of
Health, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and Department of
Trade and Industry, as well as organizations from the private sector.
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From rbl at agri.searca.org  Wed Nov 26 08:26:59 2008
From: rbl at agri.searca.org (Rochella B. Lapitan)
Date: Wed, 26 Nov 2008 08:26:59 +0800
Subject: [searcabic] FW: Deadline for Abstracts Nov 30 2008 Second World
	Congress of Agroforestry, Nairobi (KENYA)
Message-ID: <mailman.0.1227665862.5796.bic_searcaweb.org@searcaweb.org>

 

 

  _____  

From: Kimwaki, Jacinta (ICRAF) [mailto:J.KIMWAKI at CGIAR.ORG] 
Sent: Tuesday, November 25, 2008 6:50 PM
Subject: Deadline for Abstracts Nov 30 2008 Second World Congress of
Agroforestry, Nairobi (KENYA)

 


2nd WORLD CONGRESS OF AGROFORESTRY (WCA2)

CALL FOR ABSTRACTS

DEADLINE SUBMISSION: 30 November 2008

Dear colleague,

We encourage you to submit your abstracts and participate in the 2nd World
Congress of Agroforestry (WCA2) that will be held in Nairobi (Kenya), from
the 23rd to the 28th of August 2009. 

The objective of the Congress is to share lessons and experiences by
assessing opportunities to leverage agroforestry in promoting sustainable
land use worldwide. 

The Congress will serve as a forum for researchers, educators, practitioners
and policy makers from around the world to share new findings, explore new
opportunities, strengthen partnerships and engage with communities of
practice. 

The themes of the Congress are 

*         Markets supporting agroforestry land use

*         Tree based rehabilitation of degraded lands and watersheds

*         Climate change adaptation and mitigation

*         Agroforestry contributing to environmental sustainability and 

*         Policy options and institutional innovations for agroforestry land
use

We look forward to seeing you in Nairobi!

Yours sincerely, 

WCA2009 Organizing Committee 
Email: wca2009 at cgiar.org 

Agroforestry - the Future of Global Land Use



Important notes ...

Dates: 
23-28 August 2009

Venue: 
Nairobi, KENYA

Abstract Submission Here <http://www.worldagroforestry.org/wca2009>  

Deadlines

Abstract submission:
30 November 2008

Acceptance notification:
31st of January 2009

For more information:

www.worldagroforestry.org/wca2009

 

 

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From searcabic at gmail.com  Fri Nov 28 21:20:24 2008
From: searcabic at gmail.com (SEARCA Biotechnology Information Center)
Date: Fri, 28 Nov 2008 21:20:24 +0800
Subject: [searcabic]  Latest news postings on biotechnology, 28 November 2008
Message-ID: <cfaa7ec0811280520y73e7a11dh322afc25192bc97e@mail.gmail.com>

  Right click images to view this page properly. If this e-mail does not
appear as a web page, please click
here.<http://www.bic.searca.org/e-news/index.html>
*Posted 28 November 2008*

*PHILIPPINES*
1-BIOTECHNOLOGY ADVOCATES AWARDED
2-11 BIOTECH PRODUCTS READY FOR INDUSTRY USE
3-CONGRESS EYES CREATING BIOTECH CENTER TO STRENGTHEN BIOTECH INDUSTRIES
4-NATIONAL BIOTECHNOLOGY WEEK: MAKING BIOTECHNOLOGY WORK FOR YOU
5-DOST UNVEILS ADVANCES IN R&D IN NATIONAL BIOTECHNOLOGY WEEK

*MALAYSIA*
6-PLAN TO RESTRUCTURE AGRO-BIOTECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE TO COMMERCIALISE R&D

*BANGLADESH*
7-NATIONAL COMMISSION ON BIOTECHNOLOGY URGED

*GLOBAL*
8-GLOBAL MEETING OF BIOSAFETY RESEARCHERS


*1-BIOTECHNOLOGY ADVOCATES AWARDED*
28-November-2008 SEARCA BIC News Release

Recognizing their exemplary contribution in promoting biotechnology in the
Philippines, Dr. Randy A. Hautea, Global Coordinator and Southeast Asia
Center Director of the International Service for the Acquisition of
Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA) <http://www.isaaa.org/>, and Ms. Sonny P.
Tababa, former Network Administrator of the SEARCA Biotechnology Information
Center (BIC) <http://www.bic.searca.org/>, received special citations at the
4th Jose G. Burgos, Jr. Awards for Biotech Journalism. The award was given
in a ceremony held at the Institute of Small-Scale Industries (ISSI),
University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City on 27 November 2008.

Dr. Hautea was conferred for his commendable leadership at ISAAA for
facilitating the transfer of crop biotechnology applications and the
benefits of new agricultural biotechnologies to the country through
public-private partnerships. He persistently assists the national programs
on biotechnology through R&D grants, and has been instrumental in the
establishment of pool of experts by supporting capability building programs
in the fields of food safety, biosafety, risk assessment and risk
management, intellectual property rights, and communication.

Likewise, Ms. Tababa was recognized for her contribution in promoting public
understanding and acceptance of biotechnology in the country through her
successful coordination and implementation of biotechnology advocacy
programs of the SEARCA Biotechnology Information Center, making it as one of
the most credible source of science-based information on biotechnology. Her
purposeful effort in advancing biotechnology information in the country has
reached out to several stakeholders, including scientists, farmers, media,
policy makers, regulators, academe, NGOs and students making her a prominent
persona in the Philippine biotech community.

The Jose G. Burgos, Jr. Awards for Biotech Journalism is held annually to
recognize Filipino science journalists and biotech workers who contribute in
promoting and communicating biotechnology in the country.

The award is organized by the Biotechnology for Life Media Advocacy and
Resource Center, a consortium of the Department of Agriculture-Biotechnology
Program Office, Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and
Research in Agriculture, Biotech Coalition of the Philippines, Philippine
Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Development, and the
J. Burgos Media Services Inc.* (Rochella B. Lapitan, SEARCA BIC)*

*------------------------------------------------------------*
*2-11 BIOTECH PRODUCTS READY FOR INDUSTRY USE*
By Ira Karen Apanay
26-November-2008 Manila
Times<http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2008/nov/26/yehey/metro/20081126met4.html>

NEW biotechnology products that could help farmers and fisher folks lower
their production cost and increase yields were introduced Tuesday during the
ongoing Fourth National Biotechnology Week.

Director Alicia Ilaga, who heads the Department of Agriculture-Biotechnology
Program Office, said the new technologies were developed with the objective
of achieving agricultural modernization and guaranteeing food security.

Ilaga stressed the products or technologies, which were unveiled during an
investors' forum held at Tuesday at the University of the
Philippines-Diliman Institute for Small-Scale Industries (ISSI), are all
ready for commercialization.

Among the products and technologies unveiled are: BIO-NOL, a stable inoculum
that increases ethanol production from sugar?cane, sweet sorghum and cassava
developed by Dr. Priscilla Sanchez of the Biotech Implementation Program of
the Agriculture department; Makapuno Embryo Culture Technology, a simpler,
faster and low-cost production technology to make real maka?puno developed
by Efren Carba and Dr. Cristeta Cieto of the Philippine Coconut
Authority-Albay Research Center; Biological Control of Brontispa (Bron?tispa
longissima) in Young Palms and New Plantations developed by Carba and
Ambrosio Raul Alfiler also from the coconut agency's Albay research center.

The other technologies ready for commercialization include: DNA Marker for
Tungro Resistance Gene developed by Gabriel Romero of the Philippine Rice
Research Institute (PhilRice); New Rice Varieties Resistant to Bacterial
Blight developed by Thelma Padolina, also of Phil?Rice; and Processing of
Sweet Pot?ato Pickles developed by Julie Tan of PhilRootcrops.

A major marine product innovation is the Post-Harvest Techniques to Optimize
Seaweeds Production developed by Dr. Marco Nemesio Monta?o of the Marine
Science Institute, which can be used by seaweed growers in Tawi-Tawi and
other areas.

The other technologies unveiled during the ongoing Biotechnology Week
include: Quick Diagnostic Tool to Detect Diseases in Shrimp and Marine Fish
developed by Dr. Leobert de la Pe?a of the Southeast Asian Fisheries
Development Center; Bunchytop Virus Resistant Banana or Lakatan developed by
Olivia Damasco, et. al., of the Institute of Plant Breeding (IPB); Virus
Resistant Papaya developed by Simeona Siar, et. al., of the IPB; and Virus
Resistant Abaca developed by Antonio Lalusin et al., also of the IPB.

Ilaga said Senator Edgardo Angara, chairman of the Senate Committee on
Agriculture, bared that he is working on a legislative proposal to grant
incentives to investors willing to commercialise agricultural biotechnology
products.

Under Angara's proposal, private sector investors would be granted tax
deductions if they engage in biotechnology research and development or
promote truly Filipino biotechnology products.

*------------------------------------------------------------*
*3-CONGRESS EYES CREATING BIOTECH CENTER TO STRENGTHEN BIOTECH INDUSTRIES*
By Jennifer A. Ng (Reporter)
25-November-2008 BusinessMirror

A LEGISLATIVE agenda that seeks to establish an "independent" biotechnology
center and promote biotech-based industries is currently being advanced in
Congress.

In a speech read for him during the opening ceremonies of the National
Biotechnology Week in Quezon City, Sen. Edgardo Angara disclosed that the
Joint Congressional Commission on Science, Technology and Engineering
(Comste) is advancing a biotech legislative agenda.

"[The] legislative agenda is directed toward the establishment of an
independent biotechnology center of excellence and promotion of
biotechnology-based industries," said Angara.

The senator noted that the seed capital for the biotech center being
envisioned by Congress will be funded by a seed capital that will be
provided by the government. The money will be used to conduct directed and
impact-oriented research and development (R&D).

He said the R&D spending of the biotech center should be tax-deductible.

To promote biotech-based industries, Angara said legislative policies should
be geared toward the granting of incentives to companies that invest in the
commercial production of biotechnologies; granting of incentives to
multinational corporations that will set up R&D centers in the Philippines;
and the establishment of venture capital fund and business incubators to
help emerging small biotech companies.

Angara noted that the local biotechnology sector is currently being
confronted by a number of challenges which include lack of good scientists,
low R&D spending and the lack of incentives for investors.

The chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture noted that the
Philippine government spend only 0.15 percent of its gross domestic product
(GDP) in 2002 for R&D.

"What this super-technology can do for us in the future, given a supportive
environment, is amazing," said Angara.

Meanwhile, two Cabinet officials cited the need to harness biotechnology for
the country to boost food production, develop cheaper but effective
medicines and upgrade the production of commodities using higher-yielding
crops with higher nutritional content.

Environment Secretary Lito Atienza said government is confident that
"through biotechnology, we can get better results to our ceaseless pursuit
on prosperity and development."

"If we do not use biotechnology for our favor, we may just be left out by
other governments and other societies who would harness it for their own
good," he told a group of scientists and biotechnology advocates.

Science and Technology Secretary Estrella Alabastro underscored the need to
learn from the experiences of researchers and open channels of communication
about new issues on biotechnology and their implications.

"If we could wave a flag for biotechnology, it would have three colors," she
said. "Red for medical, green for agricultural and white for industrial
applications."

Proclamation 1414, signed by President Arroyo last year, declared the last
week of November as National Biotechnology Week in a bid to sustain greater
awareness, education and understanding of biotechnology, including its many
applications.

Biotechnology production developed by local scientists already include
biofertilizers, ethanol-production-inducing bacteria and micronutrient
enhancement products.

As early as 1998, high-level biotechnology research started and developed
products such as transgenic papaya resistant to bunchy top virus and
ringspot virus, delayed ripening of papaya and mango, Bacillus thuringiensis
(Bt) corn, and marker-assisted breeding in coconut and coconut with high
lauric acid content.

*------------------------------------------------------------*
*4-NATIONAL BIOTECHNOLOGY WEEK: MAKING BIOTECHNOLOGY WORK FOR YOU*
24-November-2008 Manila Bulletin

The annual celebration of National Biotechnology Week begins today with the
theme "Making Biotechnology Work for You."

Cognizant of the positive contributions of biotechnology to society and how
the scientific advances in the field have helped sustain growth and
development, Presidential Proclamation No. 1414 designated the last week of
November as National Biotechnology Week. The declaration hopes to maintain
the country's status as one of the "mega countries" using biotechnology as a
strategy for development.

Biotechnology is widely used in the Philippines. Biotechnological
applications have increased crop yields and farm productivity and enhanced
the quality, value, and suitability of crops for food and other uses.
Biotechnology has helped in the development of vaccines, antibiotics, and
other drugs that cannot be made in any other way. In crime investigations
and the administration of justice, biotechnology is used by way of
Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) analyses and similar DNA technologies.

Biotechnology involves "the use of microorganisms, such as bacteria or
yeasts, or biological substances, such as enzymes, to perform specific
industrial or manufacturing processes." Its applications range from the
production of certain drugs, synthetic hormones, and bulk foodstuffs to the
bioconversion of organic waste and the use of genetically altered bacteria
in the cleanup of oil spills, among others.

The celebration of the Fourth National Biotechnology Week serves to remind
us to use of scientific knowledge and tools, especially biotechnology,
responsibly.

People should exert conscious efforts to ensure that these tools do not
compromise the safety and well-being of people but result in an improved
quality of life for every Filipino.

*------------------------------------------------------------*
*5-DOST UNVEILS ADVANCES IN R&D IN NATIONAL BIOTECHNOLOGY WEEK*
24-November-2008 BusinessMirror

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST), which co-chairs this year's
celebration of National Biotechnology Week from November 23 to 29 at the
Institute for Small Scale Industries at the University of the Philippines
Diliman, will unveil the results of research and development (R&D) projects
on biotechnology that were undertaken by the department.

Following the theme, "Making biotechnology work for you," the DOST will show
the work of several biotechnology scientists on agriculture, health, energy,
environment, food and industries and DNA forensics for police officers.

The DOST has given priority to biotechnology as a major area for grants and
financial aid.

According to Science Secretary Estrella Alabastro, the bulk of the R&D
efforts goes to agriculture and health, with a small portion going to energy
and industry, like bioremediation. Agriculture remains on top of the DOST's
list, she added.

"Biotech really started with agriculture, right? Of course, it's
agriculture. What are we supporting right now? We have work on fruits,
high-value fruits like papaya and mango, coconut, of course. We are also
doing work on the fibers like the abaca. It's very important to us. We are
also working on bananas. May mga priority crops tayo, like sweet potato,
because this is a crop that is very prone to certain diseases, and it is a
major crop in Central Luzon. So ang mga farmers natin sa Central Luzon are
looking at varieties that are resistant to certain diseases," Alabastro
revealed.

Also high on the list of the DOST's priorities is work on discovering
compounds, enzymes and other substances for the manufacture of medicines and
detection kits for infectious diseases.

The DoST is also sponsoring a series of scientific fora featuring researches
and studies that it had funded.

The first in the series is the Scientific Forum on Energy and Environment,
to be led by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural
Resources Research and Development (PCARRD-DOST), Philippine Council for
Industry and Energy Research and Development, in cooperation with the
Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

It will be followed by the Scientific Forum on Health by the Philippine
Council for Health Research and Development and the Philippine Council for
Aquatic and Marine Research and Development. Both will be held on November
25.

On November 26, PCARRD-DOST, together with the Department of
Agriculture-Biotechnology Program Office and the Philippine Rice Research
Institute, will stage a Scientific Forum on Agriculture and Food Industry.

A training workshop on DNA forensics for police officers will also take
place on November 27, sponsored by the Philippine Council for Advanced
Science and Technology Research and Development.

Besides the scientific fora, the Science Education Institute will also
sponsor an educational forum on biotechnology on November 26. (Biolife News
Service)

*------------------------------------------------------------*
*MALAYSIA
6-PLAN TO RESTRUCTURE AGRO-BIOTECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE TO COMMERCIALISE R&D
*24-November-2008
Bernama.com<http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newsindex.php?id=374062>

SERDANG, 24 Nov (Bernama) -- A plan is afoot to restructure the Institute of
Agriculture Biotechnology into a company limited by guarantee to enable it
to intensify its role in marketing its research and development (R&D).

Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili said
the ministry would submit a working paper on the proposal to the cabinet
soon.

He said the old structure was not conducive for the institute in marketing
the R&D and as such changes had to be made.

"The institute is entrusted with marketing the R&D produced by public and
private universities. So the structure had to be reviewed to make it more
efficient and act as a catalyst in marketing the R&D," he told reporters
after visiting the institute here Monday.

He said it would also make its management more flexible and enable it to
recruit talented researchers and enticing more entrepreneurs to capitalise
on its R&D.

"This is a step in the right direction towards achieving the objectives of
the National Biotechnology Policy which was implemented three years ago," he
said.

*------------------------------------------------------------
BANGLADESH
7-NATIONAL COMMISSION ON BIOTECHNOLOGY URGED
*26-November-2008 The
Nation<http://nation.ittefaq.com/issues/2008/11/26/news0153.htm>

Speakers at a roundtable yesterday demanded to set up an independent
National Commission on Biotechnology to identify research and commercial
areas relevant to the country's needs as well as to find out existing
manpower strength.

The demand came during discussion on 'Biotechnology in Development:

World Scenario and Bangladesh' held at the Jatiya (national) Press Club in
the morning.

Global Network of Bangladeshi Biotechnologists (GNOBB) and Young
Biotechnologists of Bangladesh (YoungBB) jointly organized the discussion
where noted scientists, social scientists, NGO officials and media
personalities took part.

They said the proposed National Commission would prioritize research as well
as identify research network within the country and establish international
links and also procure funding for research.

"By using the benefits of biotechnology, the developed countries have
developed their all sectors, including agriculture, environment and
medicine, but unfortunately we didn't due to the lack of our sufficient
knowledge about it," Dr Ahmed Shamsul Islam, a former DU teacher said.

He was critical of the Science and Technology Ministry saying it could not
make people aware about the benefits of biotechnology. Those manning the
ministry have little or no knowledge about the benefits of biotechnology.

Dr Ahmed said Dhaka is known to all by a city of wastes. But these wastes
could be well changed into resource like gas and electricity. "We know it
but did not take initiative. That's our problem. So everyone will have to
raise voice jointly to accrue benefits out of the wastes.

Describing the importance of the biotechnology, eminent social scientist Dr
Mahbub Hossain said biotechnology is much more powerful than information
technology, particularly in the third world.

*------------------------------------------------------------
GLOBAL
8-GLOBAL MEETING OF BIOSAFETY RESEARCHERS*
19-November-2008 GMO Safety <http://www.gmo-safety.eu/en/news/666.docu.html>

The 10th International Symposium on the Biosafety of Genetically Modified
Organisms (ISBGMO) began on 17 November in Wellington. It is the world's
leading scientific conference on biosafety research. State of the art
environmental biosafety research projects will be showcased over five days
and discussed by the 250 participating scientific researchers, regulators
and industry representatives from 34 countries. Focus this year is on the
environmental impact of stress tolerant GM crops, the influence of GMOs on
complex soil ecosystems and the containment of gene flow from GMOs in the
environment, such as in field trials.

Organised by the International Society of Biosafety Research (ISBR), the
symposium offers additional highlights. There will be talks on the risk
assessment of GM crops of the next generation, such as those with improved
nutritional content, those raised for the production of biofuels or those
designed for heat-resistance and drought.

Participants also question the risk of genetically modified animals, in
particular, the breeding of bird-flu-resistant chickens and a risk
assessment of released transgenic insects. Such animals are considered a
possible option when it comes to fighting diseases transmitted by insects to
humans, animals and plants. In conclusion, new findings will be presented on
the potential environmental impact of transgenic farmed fish and methods for
containing them.

Post market monitoring (PMM) programme experiences in Australia, New
Zealand, Austria, Switzerland and Germany will be presented. PMM programmes
look out for possible environmental risks of GMOs following their commercial
authorisation. These programmes allow for the timely recognition of
unexpected environmental risks that might arise, even if the GMO was
previously given a positive rating.

Authorisation processes and risk assessment of GMOs vary, sometimes greatly,
from country to country. Even within the EU Member States conflict has been
brewing for years over just what the correct criteria for GMO authorisation
should be. Austria, France and Greece have even opposed the EU Commission's
decision to authorise certain GMO products. The harmonisation of
authorisation criteria and risk assessment methods are a concern that will
be addressed in this year's ISBGMO. In a joint session with OECD and a
workshop, participants will discuss how national authorisation processes can
be brought more in line with scientific requirements as well as what data
should be necessary for the authorisation of a GMO and how much influence
OECD recommendations and biosafety research results have on the
authorisation.

ISBR President Jochen Schiemann sees the symposium as an important support
for scientifically based GMO authorisation procedures worldwide. "Knowledge
of potential negative environmental impacts of GMOs and their related risk
assessments results not only from the quality of the biosafety research
itself, but on a continuous, interactive cooperation of regulators, policy
makers and science. This symposium is a place for that."

--
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*Three-in-one: Trees, veggies, and animals
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*Filipinos getting poorer and
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*Let's look for
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*---------------------------------------------------------*
*Download available paper and/or presentation handouts of some notable
speakers presented at SEARCA Agriculture and Development Series. CLICK HERE.
* <http://www.searca.org/web/adss/2008/index.html>

*SEARCA ADSS: Why Skills Matter in Economic
Development?*<http://www.searca.org/>
*Dr. Jose V. Camacho, Jr., Associate Dean, College of Economics and
Management, University of the Philippines Los Ba?os
SEARCA, College, Laguna, Philippines
02 December 2008, 4:00 -5:00 PM*

*SEARCA Special Seminar: Urban Transformation and Carbon Footprint of
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*Dr. Shinji Kaneko, Associate Professor, Graduate School for International
Development and Cooperation, Hiroshima University, Japan
SEARCA, College, Los Ba?os, Laguna, Philippines
04 December 2008, 4:00 - 5:00 PM*

*SEARCA Special Seminar: LINCOD Forum: Empowering Communitiesfor
Agricultural Productivity and Environmental
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*Dr. Reynaldo A. Comia, Associate Professor and Assistant Program Leader,
Farmer-Scientists RDE Training Program, Agricultural Systems Cluster, UPLB
College of Agriculture; and Dr. Ma. Victoria O. Espaldon, Professor and
Dean, UPLB School of Environmental Science and Management
SEARCA, College, Laguna, Philippines*
*05 December 2008, 4:00 - 5:00 PM*

*2nd International Forum on Papaya* <http://www.ishs-papaya2008.com/>
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09 - 12 December 2008*
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