[searcabic] Latest news postings on biotechnology, 28 November 2008

Fri Nov 28 21:20:24 CST 2008

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*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 Montaño 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 Peña 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
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>

*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 Baños
SEARCA, College, Laguna, Philippines
02 December 2008, 4:00 -5:00 PM*

*SEARCA Special Seminar: Urban Transformation and Carbon Footprint of
Megacities* <http://www.bic.searca.org/>
*Dr. Shinji Kaneko, Associate Professor, Graduate School for International
Development and Cooperation, Hiroshima University, Japan
SEARCA, College, Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines
04 December 2008, 4:00 - 5:00 PM*

*SEARCA Special Seminar: LINCOD Forum: Empowering Communitiesfor
Agricultural Productivity and Environmental
Conservation*<http://www.isbgmo.info/>
*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/>
*Fortune Pandiyan Hotel, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India
09 - 12 December 2008*
         [image: visit discussion board] <http://bsearcabic.runboard.com/>
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