[searcabic] Latest news postings on biotechnology, 29 April 2009

Wed Apr 29 09:47:33 CST 2009

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*Posted 29 April 2009*

*PHILIPPINES*
1-BIOTECH ABACA VARIETY EYED TO REVIVE TROUBLED INDUSTRY
2-CAYETANO SUPPORTS GENETIC TESTING
3-6TH NATIONAL CORN CONGRESS PRESENTS SEVEN DEMANDS
4-DA UNIT BACKS DEVELOPMENT OF BIOTECH SECTOR

*AFRICA*
5-UGANDA: MINISTRY CLEARS GM COTTON, PLANTING TO START IN MAY

*GERMANY*
6-GERMANY TO PERMIT TRIALS WITH GMO POTATO

*GLOBAL*
7-'FARMING REVOLUTION' ON HORIZON AS SCIENTISTS SEQUENCE COW GENOME FOR
FIRST TIME
     *1-BIOTECH ABACA VARIETY EYED TO REVIVE TROUBLED INDUSTRY*
26-April-2009 The Philippine
STAR<http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=461188&publicationSubCategoryId=77>

MARAWI CITY, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture and the Mindanao
State University (MSU) are collaborating to reinvigorate the troubled abaca
industry in the south which used to be a big foreign exchange earner through
a newly-developed biotechnology variety that has been proven to be resistant
to deadly viruses.

Director Alicia Ilaga of the DA Biotechnology Program cited during the
recent launching of the Biotechnology Information and Resource Center at the
MSU main campus cited that the virus resistant abaca developed by the panel
of experts led by Dr. Antonio Lalusin of the Institute of Plant Breeding at
the University of Plant Breeding in Los could be the solution to fast
deteriorating abaca industry, particularly in central Mindanao.

Dr. Macapado A. Muslim, the MSU president, acknowledged the need for abaca
growers to pursue agricultural modernization in Mindanao, which continues of
to be plagued by deadly mosaic, bract mosaic and the bunchy-top viruses
which had earlier crippled the Bicol region, which used to be country’s
biggest abaca producer.

Initially, Muslim has proposed the setting up a of tissue culture
laboratories to be hosted by the MSU system, to propagate the
newly-developed biotech abaca variety.

Ilaga said that Mindanao can fast rehabilitate the dwindling abaca industry,
with its vast areas suitable to abaca plantations to meet the country’s
export demand.

While Bicol accounts for 66 per cent or 52,666 hectares of total abaca area
mapped by the DA, it also reported a 27 per cent incidence of viral diseases
prompting government to look at Eastern Visayas to augment the abaca needs
of the country.

But Muslim noted that given the necessary funding for research and
development, the MSU can promote truly Filipino biotechnology products
starting with the virus –resistant abaca.

He offered to mobilize the 21 agriculture scientists of the MSU College of
Agriculture in Marawi to step up government’s efforts in modernizing
agriculture in the south. It was gathered that MSU has already submitted 36
project proposals for research and development projects to boost agriculture
modernization in the south.

“Given the continuously increasing population in the country, biotechnology
is an option” to meet the country’s food demands, Muslim said

Meanwhile, Ilaga said that DA Undersecretary Segefredo Serrano will meet
with the MSU officials to map out possible collaboration efforts in
promoting abaca and other biotechnology crops. – biolife news service

*------------------------------------------------------------*
*2-CAYETANO SUPPORTS GENETIC TESTING *
26-April-2009 People’s
Journal<http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php?issue=2009-04-25&sec=4&aid=91437>

SENATOR Pia Cayetano was guest of honor and speaker in the recent
partnership between the Philippine-based Ambica Biotechnologies and Reliance
Life Sciences of India in providing high-end molecular diagnostics and
genetic testing in the country held at the Intercon Hotel in Makati City.

Both companies are accredited with the National Accreditation Board for
Laboratory Testing (NABL) and College of American Pathologists (CAP).
Reliance Life Sciences is highly regarded as one of Southeast Asia’s finest
in the field of molecular diagnostics and genetics.

Through the alliance, Ambica Biotechnologies will provide accurate and
affordable access to molecular diagnostics and genetic testing for more
Filipinos.

Cayetano signified her support towards the advancement of preventive
healthcare medicine and modern diagnostics in the Philippines. She urged the
medical professionals to support modern diagnostic testing and allow this
kind of program to grow in the country.

“There is a need to review policies on the availability and affordability of
medicines and promote healthy lifestyle and health care services,” she
stresses. The lady Senator has been a constant supporter of preventive
healthcare and healthy lifestyle through her “Pinay in Action” program.

“We have to allow the development of modern technology in preventing
diseases. The death of my son Gabriel and my father of liver cancer has been
my inspiration towards this kind of advocacy,” she said.

Her son was diagnosed in 2001 of pneumonia as a complication from a genetic
disease called Trisomy. Dr. Philip Cruz, Ambica Biotechnologies Executive
president, said that technologies make it possible to detect genetic
diseases in an offspring even before implantation. Genetic testing of an
unborn infant can provide information that can help families prepare for the
pregnancy, child care and counseling.

*------------------------------------------------------------*
*3-6TH NATIONAL CORN CONGRESS PRESENTS SEVEN DEMANDS *
by Manny T. Ugalde
20-April-2009 Manila
Times<http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2009/april/20/yehey/prov/20090420pro4.html>

LEGAZPI CITY: The three-day Philippine National Corn Congress here adopted
seven vital resolutions in an effort to achieve feeds security, alleviate
poverty and address the effect of climate change.

With 700 participants from 13 regions representing some two million corn
farmers, the Philmaize Federation of corn farmers also sought for the
accreditation of Mais Partylist in congress for the coming 2010 national
elections, said Romualdo Elvira Jr., executive committee chair of the 6th
National Corn Congress and Philmaize Federation director.

Sen. Loren Legarda, chair of the Senate committee on agriculture, and Sen.
Francis Escudero, who graced the affair, declared their support for the Mais
Partylist accreditation, including the other resolutions.

The 6th National Corn Congress was held at the Albay Astrodome starting
Thursday with the theme “Climate Change: Challenges and Opportunities for
the Corn Industry.”

Philmaize President Rod Navarro said that climate change had a major effect
in corn production. He said the 6th Corn Congress has adapted the Albay
declaration on climate change adaptation as a primary framework to fight
against food security and disaster-risk reduction.

Philmaize said that proper consumption of water, power and materials would
help in the sustainable use of nature’s riches.

Philmaize noted that of the 7.8 million metric tons yearly production of
corn, the agriculture department subsidy for corn program is only P600
million compared to rice subsidy of P30 billion yearly whose production
yearly is only 11 million metric tons.

There are at least 1.4 million hectares of corn farms with Region II as the
biggest producer followed by Regions X and XII. Bicol region has only 40,000
hectares allocated for corn farming.

Philmaize also assails the banning of BT corn in Bacolod province after the
province passed an ordinance last year that prohibits the entry of
genetically modified agricultural products.

According to Elvira, corn production during the past year went down by 15
percent due to climate change plus the high cost of fertilizer.

Elvira said the 6th Congress concluded with the demand for the creation of
the corn cooperative bank initially for regions II, X and XII. He said they
are also pushing for the increase of corn prize from P7 to P13 a kilo by the
National Food Authority (NFA). He added that the 6th corn congress also
pushes for the additional budget by the Philippine Crop Insurance for corn
farmers.

Among the resolutions passed was for government to impose tariff on imported
feed wheat, NFA buying price from P7 to P13 a kilo, increase the budget from
P600 million to P3.2 billion and increase of coverage from PCIC.

*------------------------------------------------------------*
*4-DA UNIT BACKS DEVELOPMENT OF BIOTECH SECTOR *
by Riza T. Olchondra
Philippine Daily Inquirer
20-April-2009 Philippine Daily
Inquirer<http://business.inquirer.net/money/topstories/view/20090419-200269/DA-unit-backs-development-of-biotech-sector>

MANILA, Philippines--The Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) of the
Department of Agriculture plans to strengthen partnerships with the National
Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (Biotech) and state
universities and colleges (SUCs) to increase the value and competitiveness
of traditional crops intended for local and world markets.

In a statement, BAR director Nicomedes P. Eleazar said that biotechnology
application in agriculture was seen as a solution to problems with
agricultural productivity and food security.

He said the tie-ups were meant to fast track agricultural productivity that
positively and directly increases farmers’ incomes, provide access to
nutritious and safer food, and help achieve a healthy environment.

Based at the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), Biotech has
been promoting agricultural biotechnology that improves the ability of the
industry to turn out products that cost less and are safer for family
consumption.

The BAR statement, citing Dr. Ida F. Dalmacio of Biotech, also said there
was more to agri-biotechnology than genetically modified organisms or GMOs
and expounded on how biotechnology could be applied to agriculture.

“If applied to agriculture, it simply means the use of living organisms or
part of it, to improve the productivity of crops, livestock and the
fisheries,” Dalmacio said in the statement.

*------------------------------------------------------------*
*AFRICA
5-UGANDA: MINISTRY CLEARS GM COTTON, PLANTING TO START IN MAY
*by Ronald Kalyango
22-April-2009 AllAfrica <http://allafrica.com/stories/200904230140.html>

Kampala — GENETICALLY Modified cotton will be planted at different sites in
May and June this year, an official has revealed.

"We are on the right track. The technology providers are positive. They have
visited all the sites and at last the trails which had delayed for the last
seven years are going to be conducted," said Dr.Tilahun Zeweldu, who has
been at the forefront of Bt. Cotton research.

Confined field trials are studies that are made by scientists to collect
data on any new varieties developed at research stations within the country
or outside.

The importation of the seeds followed the granting of an importation permit
by the crop protection department of the agriculture ministry in February.

Speaking recently at a stakeholders meeting at Mosa Court in Kampala, the
Monsanto South Africa's business development manager, Danie Olivier, said
the trials would be conducted for three consecutive seasons.

"The confined field trial will help Ugandan scientists gather information to
use when the crop is commercialised," said Olivier.

The Monsanto Company is an American multinational agricultural biotechnology
corporation and the leading producer of genetically engineered seed, holding
70%-100% market share for various crops.

It is charged with the responsibility of providing the technology which will
be tested at the National Semi-Arid Resources Research Institute (NaSARRI)
in Serere, Soroti and at the prisons farm in Mobuku, Kasese. Uganda has been
targeting the Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) with a bacterium gene for
tolerance to Bollworm pests and the Roundup Ready (RR) cotton with
resistance to the Roundup herbicide for the control of weeds.

*------------------------------------------------------------*
*GERMANY
6-GERMANY TO PERMIT TRIALS WITH GMO POTATO
*by Thorsten Severin, Michael Hogan and Dave Graham
27-April-2009 Reuters<http://www.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUSTRE53Q46620090427>

BERLIN, April 27 (Reuters) - Germany's Agriculture Minister Ilse Aigner said
on Monday she will permit test cultivat ion of a potato containing
genetically-modified organisms (GMOs).

Open air trails of the GMO potato Amflora, developed by German chemicals
group BASF presented no threat to public health or the environment, she
said.

Aigner had this month said she would carry out a new review of an
application for open-air trial cultivation of Amflora, which was
test-cultivated on 150 hectares in 2008.

Earlier this month Aigner banned cultivation and sale of the GMO maize type
MON 810 produced by U.S. seed giant Monsanto despite its approval by the
European Union. There had been speculation that Aigner would stop the field
trials of GMO potatoes.

Aigner said on Monday she would only permit test plantings of Amflora of 20
hectares instead of 40 hectares sought and the plantings must have extra
protective fencing.

BASF warned last week a decision to stop trials could damage Germany as a
location for scientific research.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel had said on Friday that many millions of
euros had been invested in developing the Amflora potato in the hope that
field trials could be made.

"This fact cannot simply be ignored because currently sentiment is hostile,"
Merkel had said on Friday, calling for a calmer debate on GMO crops.

Germany's GMO maize ban has been controversial inside Germany's ruling
government coalition as there are fears it could damage scientific
development in the country.

Germany's Research Minister Annette Schavan on has called a round table
meeting into the future of GMO crops.

"We must take the fear of new technology seriously but the debate cannot be
left to fear only," Schavan said earlier this month.

Monsanto, the world's largest seed company, has also started legal action
against the German ban, stressing the EU has approved it as safe for
commercial cultivation and sale.

*------------------------------------------------------------*
*GLOBAL
7-'FARMING REVOLUTION' ON HORIZON AS SCIENTISTS SEQUENCE COW GENOME FOR
FIRST TIME
*29-April-2009 Daily
Mail<http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1173108/Farming-revolution-horizon-scientists-sequence-cow-genome-time.html>

A cow's genome has been sequenced for the first time which could pave the
way to a livestock revolution, say scientists.

Experts believe understanding the genetic blueprint of domestic cows will
have a major impact on livestock breeding and will help farmers boost milk
production and create healthier herds.

The cow genome also has important implications for human health because
cattle and humans have about 80 per cent of their genes in common.

The multimillion-pound project took more than 300 scientists from 25
countries six years to complete.

The team unraveled 22,000 genes that make up the genetic code of a Hereford
cow living on a research farm in Montana, U.S.

The cow's DNA was then compared with cattle from six other breeds. This was
used to analyse variations of almost 500 cows from 19 different regions.

As in humans, the chromosomes of cows - packages of DNA that include the
genes - were found to contain large duplicated regions.

In humans, these 'segmental duplications' are associated with a range of
problems including neurological disorders and birth defects.

But in cows they were often beneficial, affecting genes related to immunity,
metabolism, digestion, reproduction and milk production.

Some of the chromosomal rearrangements are thought to explain the cow's
unique ability to convert grass and other low-energy food sources into
high-octane muscle, fat and milk.

*'Diversity'*
Dr Shirley Ellis from the Institute for Animal Health in Newbury, Berkshire,
said: 'This important achievement provides a sound basis upon which to base
future studies into the genetic diversity present in different cattle breeds
and populations.

'It is crucial that we preserve this variation through appropriate breeding
programmes in order to maintain healthy cattle populations both in the UK
and worldwide that are best able to cope with climate change and emerging
diseases.'

Cows join the exclusive club of animals who have had their genome sequences
including humans, rodents and other primates.

Professor Douglas Kell, chief executive of the Biotechnology and Biological
Sciences Research Council, which funded many of the UK scientists, said:
'There is a looming crisis in food production on the horizon.

'The inexorable growth in the global population and changing consumption
patterns in the developing world mean that even before you include climate
change we have to find ways to produce more food with fewer resources.

'We need to recognise that livestock play a key role in many people's diets.
Research such as the cattle genome project underpins the delivery of
sustainable and nutritious meat with the highest possible standards of
animal welfare.'

Genome sequencing of other livestock including sheep, pigs and goats is
expected to follow.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*DISCLAIMER*: Articles that are posted in this news service do not
necessarily reflect the views of SEARCA.

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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/2009/index.html>

*Creating Public Awareness, Knowledge and Understanding of Biotech Crops:
Media Conference and Social Marketing of Public Sector Biotech Products in
Eastern Visayas* <http://www.bic.searca.org/>
*Ormoc, Leyte
12 - 14 May 2009*

*20th FCSSP Scientific Conference* <http://www.bic.searca.org/>
*Siliman University, Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental, PHILIPPINES
18 - 23 May 2009*

*2nd Annual Biofuels
Summit*<http://www.bic.searca.org/events/index2009.html#may>
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25 - 27 May 2009*

*International Symposium on Second Green Revolution: Priorities, Programmes,
Social and Ethical Issues (BIOSPECTRUM
2009)*<http://www.bic.searca.org/events/index2009.html#july>
*Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, INDIA
02 - 04 July 2009*

*-------------------------------------------------------------*
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