From searcabic at gmail.com  Tue May  4 15:58:06 2010
From: searcabic at gmail.com (SEARCA Biotechnology Information Center)
Date: Tue, 4 May 2010 15:58:06 +0800
Subject: [searcabic]  Latest news postings on biotechnology, 04 May 2010
Message-ID: <j2rcfaa7ec1005040058ncd184506zce063a307a3d5542@mail.gmail.com>

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*Posted 04 May 2010 *

*PRESS RELEASE
*1-REGULATORS IMPROVE BIOTECH COMMUNICATION SKILLS
2-NEW TECH-TRANSFER LAW MAY HASTEN BIOTECH COMMERCIALIZATION IN THE
PHILIPPINES

*PHILIPPINES
*3-HERBICIDES-RESISTANT CORN APPROVED FOR PLANTING IN RP
4-SYNGENTA FILES APPLICATION FOR BT CORN FOR FEED AND FOOD USE

*INDIA
*5-CONSULT SCIENTISTS, NOT PUBLIC, ON BT BRINJAL, PAWAR TOLD

*GLOBAL
*6-BIOTECH CROPS CONTINUE TO MAKE IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTIONS TO SUSTAINABLE
FARMING AND TO GLOBAL FOOD AFFORDABILITY
7-MOUNTING EVIDENCE SHOWS POSITIVE IMPACT OF BIOTECH CROPS

More news... <http://www.bic.searca.org/news/2010/news_archive.html>

    *PRESS RELEASE
1-REGULATORS IMPROVE BIOTECH COMMUNICATION SKILLS*
by Jenny A. Panopio
30-April-2010 SEARCA BIC Press
Release<http://www.bic.searca.org/press_releases/2010/apr30b.html>

Members of the Philippine?s Department of Agriculture (DA) Biotech Core
Team, policy staff and biotech research management team recently undertook a
communication workshop to enhance their skills in communicating
science-based information on agricultural biotechnology in a manner that
will help stakeholders in their decision-making process.

This capability enhancement activity titled, *?Communication Workshop:
Enhancing Skills in Addressing Issues about Crop Biotechnology? *was
specifically designed for the biotech regulators to enable them to be
equipped with communication skills in order to respond proactively to high
concern and controversial situations related to agri-biotechnology.

During the opening program, Dr. Larry Lacson, Director of the Bureau of
Plant Industry, stressed the need to convey effectively the issues and
benefits of biotechnology to several stakeholders. He added that the
government remains supportive of the safe and responsible use of
biotechnology, being one of the technologies that can provide enough food
for the future.

Similarly, Dr. Clarito Barron, Chair of the DA Biotech Core Team,
acknowledged the importance of biotech communication for regulators. He
added that as regulators, they need to be in the forefront of educating the
public on the science-based information on agri-biotechnology in order to
remove confusions and fears on the technology.

The International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications
(ISAAA) <http://www.isaaa.org/> , DA Biotech Program Office and the SEARCA
Biotechnology Information Center (SEARCA BIC) organized this two-day
workshop last 27 ? 28 April 2010 at Sunrise Hotel, Alfonso, Cavite,
Philippines.

For information on biotechnology updates in the Philippines, visit
www.bic.searca.org or send an email to bic at agri.searca.org.

------------------------------
*2-NEW TECH-TRANSFER LAW MAY HASTEN BIOTECH COMMERCIALIZATION
IN THE PHILIPPINES*
by Rochella B. Lapitan
30-April-2010 SEARCA BIC Press
Release<http://www.bic.searca.org/press_releases/2010/apr30.html>

The country beefs up commercialization of government-funded technologies
through the enactment of the Philippine Technology Transfer Act of 2009,
signed recently by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. The passing of this
key legislation will indeed benefit public-sector R&D, such as
biotechnology, and it will also encourage local scientists to transfer their
technologies from laboratory to the market.

Several R&D efforts in the government institutions and state colleges and
universities remain to be untapped, and commercialization of these
technologies is hampered due to lack of well-defined policy and insufficient
government investment on technology transfer and incubation. This resulted
to the minimal patent applications and depleted number of patent grants of
government R&D institutions with only one patent granted in 2005, courtesy
of the International Rice Research Institute, and another one on the sambong
herbs of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in 2006.

DOST Secretary Estrella Alabastro affirmed that the law has mandated the
grant of incentives to scientists in the form of royalties, which in turn,
allowing them to have venture capital for start-up companies. It also
speeds-up the process of technology commercialization systematically and
broadens intellectual property assertions in the country.

For related information regarding this article, visit
http://www.bic.searca.org/news/2010/apr/phi/24.html

For additional updates on biotechnology in the Philippines send an e-mail to
bic at agri.searca.org or visit the SEARCA Biotechnology Information Center
website at www.bic.searca.org.

------------------------------
*PHILIPPINES
3-HERBICIDES-RESISTANT CORN APPROVED FOR PLANTING IN RP*
by Lyn Resurreccion, Science Editor
25-April-2010 Business
Mirror<http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=24485:herbicides-resistant-corn-approved-for-planting-in-rp&catid=44:science&Itemid=69%20>

A corn with a new trait ? built-in resistance to herbicides ? was recently
approved for cultivation in the Philippines, agribusiness firm Syngenta
announced recently.

The genetically enhanced corn trait GA21, a product of Syngenta research,
received cultivation approval in the Philippines, following biosafety and
other required assessments by the Department of Agriculture (DA).

?GA21 is Syngenta?s viable option for an effective weed management of corn
farms to maximize yield,? Recher Ondap, Syngenta Philippines country head
for seeds, told the Business Mirror in an e-mail interview.

?This [Philippine] approval further strengthens Syngenta?s portfolio of
high-quality seeds and allows us to continue bringing advanced agricultural
technology to the growers in this region,? said Peter Pickering, Syngenta
Seeds Asia-Pacific region head.

The firm said the GA21 corn offers growers increased productivity and
reduced production costs.

GA21 corn will be available in the Philippines market this coming wet
cropping season, Ondap said.

He said GA21 has been commercially cultivated in the US since 1997, Canada,
Argentina, Brazil and South Africa. In the US alone it has been cultivated
in 10.3 million hectares since 1998.

Syngenta?s other genetically modified corn in the insect-tolerant Bacillus
thuringiensis (Bt)-11 corn, which is introduced in the Philippine market in
2005 and has since been grown commercially by Filipino farmers, Ondap said.

GA21 corn is tolerant to glyphosate herbicide but does not have resistance
to insects like the corn borer. It is exactly the same as the conventional
hybrid counterpart, but with the addition of the herbicide-tolerant trait,
he explained.

Ondap pointed out that since GA21 is only herbicide-tolerant, ?appropriate
crop-protection products must be applied to protect it from borers.?

He announced that Syngenta?s next product ? the Bt11xGA21 corn stack ?
combines the borer-resistance and herbicide-tolerance traits into one hybrid
to be able to provide better seeds for farmers. ?The stack product will be
launched later this year,? he told the Business Mirror.

When asked how long it took the DA to approve the corn trait for
cultivation, Ondap said: ?We [Synganta] did greenhouse trials [2007-2008],
followed by multilocation field trials [2008-2009] to demonstrate the
efficacy and the benefits derived from this trait. [The] BPI [Bureau of
Plant Industry, a DA agency] thoroughly assessed [the] food, feed and
environmental safety of GA21 before approving this event for commercial
cultivation.?

Syngenta added that the cultivation of GA21 corn in the Philippines would
enable the agribusiness firm to accelerate the development and introduction
of better hybrid varieties and new traits, responding to the growing demand
across the Asia-Pacific region.

Syngenta is one of the world?s leading companies with more than 24,000
employees in more than 90 countries. It said it is committed to sustainable
agriculture by raising productivity through innovative research and new
technology.

------------------------------
*4-SYNGENTA FILES APPLICATION FOR BT CORN FOR FEED AND FOOD USE*
by Melody M. Aguiba
04-April-2010 Manila Bulletin <http://www.mb.com.ph/node/250976/>

Multinational biotechnology firm Syngenta has filed an application to
distribute a highly-potent, genetically modified (GM) Asiatic
borer-resistant corn in the Philippines that should sustain farmers'
increased yield even beyond 10 years of the GM corn's commercial
propagation.

Syngenta's application involves more than one gene in corn that is known to
protect the crop doubly from infestation from the Asiatic corn borer so that
if the first gene loses its effectivity in resisting the pest, another one
is present to make the corn plant survive the infestation.

Here, what is present is the transformation event called "vip3Aa20," a gene
from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) on a vegetative insecticidal protein (Vip)
which controls several pests in corn including corn earworm, common cutworm,
fall armyworm, and corn semi-looper.

Dr. Reynaldo V. Ebora, biosafety expert of the Biosafety Clearing House
Philippines and Philippine Council for Advanced Science and Technology
Research and Development executive director, said Syngenta's GM corn has
effectively been found safe for use as feed and food.

"It has applied for direct use of the corn for feed, food, and processing.
Safety is a non-issue here because its safety has already been established,"
said Ebora in an interview.

However, he explained that Syngenta should make it sure that it accurately
explains the difference of this safe Bt protein from another type of protein
that is toxic and which may confuse sectors with vested interest against the
Bt corn technology.

Syngenta and other biotechnology firms like Monsanto have developed this
second generation GM crop to ensure that Bt corn retains its potency against
borer pests even beyond almost 10 years of commercial propagation of Bt corn
in the country.

Monsanto has Mon 89-034 which is a GM corn that has two Bt proteins. This
must be the counterpart of Syngenta's.

Monsanto has completed two seasons of multi-locational field trial of Mon
89-034 in the Philippines and is set to take another season of
multi-locational field trial prior to its release in the market, according
to Dr. Arnold Estrada, Monsanto biotechnology regional manager.

Monsanto has also developed another type of a second generation GM corn
whose prime trait is its efficiency in nitrogen use, Estrada said.

This way, farmers may obtain the same high yield even if he reduces the use
of fertilizer in farming. Or they may be able to obtain higher yield from
this corn plant that has efficient nitrogen utilization.

------------------------------
*INDIA
5-CONSULT SCIENTISTS, NOT PUBLIC, ON BT BRINJAL, PAWAR TOLD *
24-April-2010 The
Hindu<http://www.thehindu.com/2010/04/24/stories/2010042452560600.htm>

Bangalore: More than 540 scientists from India and around the world have
signed a petition urging Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar to ?explore
ways to reverse? the moratorium on the commercialisation of Bt brinjal in
India.

Describing the moratorium by the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF)
as an ?anti-science decision,? the petition says that genetically modified
(GM) food has been consumed by hundreds of millions of people for 15 years
now without any harm to human health or the environment. The petition was
drafted by the Foundation for Biotechnology Awareness and Education (FBAE).

?Bt brinjal has been given the all-clear by the Genetic Engineering Approval
Committee. But Jairam Ramesh has based his decision on public opinion and
not on scientific reason,? said C. Kameswara Rao, executive secretary of
FBAE, at a press conference here on Friday.

The petition urged the Minister to ?consult leading scientific academies of
India? on GM crop technology and Bt brinjal. The Indian scientific community
is overwhelmingly in support of Bt brinjal. The MoEF's decision has
ramifications beyond Bt brinjal as it ?has sent a powerful message to the
world that India's decisions on matters of science and technology will not
be made on the basis of science and biosafety, but on the decibel strengths
of ideologically motivated, anti-science activists,? states the petition.
The MoEF ?appears to see no urgency in delivering the fruits of modern
biotechnology to poor farmers.?

*Increased yield*
GM crops are now planted on more than 125 million hectares in India and
other countries and have been shown to increase crop yields, reduce the use
of agrochemicals, and improve the nutritive quality of foods, says the plea.
Several countries, including the U.S., have approved GM crops for commercial
cultivation.

------------------------------
*GLOBAL
6-BIOTECH CROPS CONTINUE TO MAKE IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTIONS TO SUSTAINABLE
FARMING AND TO GLOBAL FOOD AFFORDABILITY**[1]*
28-April-2010 PG Economics Press
Release<http://www.pgeconomics.co.uk/Biotech-crops-continue-to-make-important-contributions-to-sustainable-farming-and-to-global-food-affordability.htm>

Two new studies show biotech crops continue to deliver significant global
economic and environmental benefits and make important contributions to
global food production, food security and lower real prices for food and
feed crops

?Since 1996, biotech crop adoption has contributed to reducing the release
of greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture, decreased pesticide spraying,
significantly boosted farmers? incomes and resulted in lower real world
prices for corn, canola, soybeans and the main derivatives of these crops,?
said Graham Brookes, director of PG Economics, co-author of the reports.
?The technology has also made important contributions to increasing crop
yields, reducing production risks, improving productivity and raising global
production of key crops. The combination of economic and environmental
benefit delivery is therefore making a valuable contribution to improving
the sustainability of global agriculture and affordability of food, with
these benefits and improvements being greatest in developing countries?

Previewing the findings of the two studies, the key findings are:

? Biotech crops have contributed to significantly reducing the release of
greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural practices. This results from less
fuel use and additional soil carbon storage from reduced tillage with
biotech crops. In 2008, this was equivalent to removing 15.6 billion kg of
carbon dioxide from the atmosphere or equal to removing 6.9 million cars
from the road for one year;

? Biotech crops have reduced pesticide spraying (1996-2008) by 352 million
kg (-8.4%) and as a result decreased the environmental impact associated
with herbicide and insecticide use on the area planted to biotech crops by
16.3%;

? Herbicide tolerant biotech crops have facilitated the adoption of
no/reduced tillage production systems in many regions, especially South
America. This has made important contributions to reducing soil erosion and
improving soil moisture levels;

? There have been substantial net economic benefits at the farm level
amounting to $9.4 billion in 2008 and $52 billion for the thirteen year
period. The farm income gain in 2008 is equivalent to adding 3.65% to the
value of global production of the four main biotech crops of soybeans, corn,
canola and cotton;

? Of the total farm income benefit, 50.5% ($26.25 billion) has been due to
yield gains, with the balance arising from reductions in the cost of
production. Two thirds of the yield gain derive from adoption of insect
resistant crops and the balance from herbicide tolerant crops;

? The share of the farm income gains, both in 2008 and cumulatively
(1996-2008) has been about 50% each for farmers in developing and developed
countries;
? The cost farmers paid for accessing GM technology in 2008 was equal to 27%
of the total technology gains (a total of $12.8 billion inclusive of farm
income gains ($9.4 billion) plus cost of the technology payable to the seed
supply chain ($3.4 billion[2]));

? For farmers in developing countries the total cost of accessing the
technology in 2008 was equal to about 15% of total technology gains, whilst
for farmers in developed countries the cost was 36% of the total technology
gains. Whilst circumstances vary between countries, the higher share of
total technology gains accounted for by farm income gains in developing
countries relative to the farm income share in developed countries reflects
factors such as weaker provision and enforcement of intellectual property
rights in developing countries;

? Since 1996, biotech traits have added 74 million tonnes and 79.7 million
tonnes respectively to global production of soybeans and corn. The
technology has also contributed an extra 8.6 million tonnes of cotton lint
and 4.8 million tonnes of canola;

? If GM technology had not been available to the (13.3 million) farmers
using the technology in 2008, maintaining global production levels at the
2008 levels would have required additional plantings of 4.6 million ha of
soybeans, 3.5 million ha of corn, 2.2 million ha of cotton and 0.3 million
ha of canola. This total area requirement is equivalent to about 6% of the
arable land in the US, or 21% of the arable land in Brazil;

? World prices of corn, soybeans and canola would probably be respectively
5.8%, 9.6% and 3.8% higher than 2007 baseline levels if the technology was
no longer available to farmers. Prices of key derivatives (eg, soymeal)
would also probably be 5% to 9% higher and prices of related cereals and
oilseeds (eg, wheat, barley, sunflower) would be 3% to 4% higher;

? The global cost of consuming cereals and oilseeds would probably increase
by $20 billion (+3.6%) relative to the 2007 baseline cost of consumption if
biotech traits were no longer available to farmers;

? Average global yields would probably fall 1.5%, 4.3% and 0.65%
respectively for corn, soybeans and canola if biotech traits were no longer
available to farmers.

For additional information, contact Graham Brookes Tel +44(0) 1531 650123.
www.pgeconomics.co.uk

*[1] Papers available to download at www.pgeconomics.co.uk. The full
(annual) global economic and environmental impact report updates previous
studies (using the same methodology), available on the same website and
(shorter versions) in the peer review scientific journal, Agbioforum (ref 13
(1) 76-94) - www.agbioforum.org. The 2nd paper analyses the impact on global
corn, canola and soybean prices and is also available in AgBioforum (ref 13
(1) 25-52)

[2] The cost of the technology accrues to the seed supply chain including
sellers of seed to farmers, seed multipliers, plant breeders, distributors
and the GM technology providers*

------------------------------
*7-MOUNTING EVIDENCE SHOWS POSITIVE IMPACT OF BIOTECH CROPS*
25-April-2010 Business Mirror

BRUSSELS - A growing body of research evidence indicates that biotech crops
are delivering higher yields and better economic performance for farmers
around the world.

In a peer-reviewed article that appears in the April 2010 edition of Nature
Biotechnology magazine, Janet E. Carpenter writes that the accumulated
evidence from farmer surveys helps to explain the widespread and growing
popularity of biotech crops. In her research article, Carpenter, who has
worked on issues related to agricultural biotechnology for more than ten
years, provides analysis of 49 peer-reviewed publications reporting on
farmer surveys that compare yields and other indicators of economic
performance for adopters and non-adopters of currently commercialized
biotech crops.

Research analysis presented by Carpenter supports the claim that biotech
crops are providing farmers with increased yields. Citing evidence that 74
percent of yield comparisons of biotech and conventional crops showed
positive results for adopters of biotech crops versus non-adopters, she also
noted the impact the technology is having on farmers in developing
countries.

"The results for yields indicate that farmers in developing countries are
achieving greater yield increases than farmers in developed countries. The
average increases for developing countries range from 16 percent for
insect-resistant corn to 30 percent for insect-resistant cotton," Carpenter
concluded.

The article also provides evidence of the overall economic benefit of
biotech crops. "Looking across all measures of economic performance, the
results are overwhelmingly positive," writes Carpenter. "Of the 98 results
in our survey of the peer-reviewed literature that compare the economic
performance of GM crops to their conventional counterparts, 71 indicate a
positive economic impact, 11 neutral and 16 negative."

According to the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-Biotech
Applications (ISAAA), global adoption of plant biotechnology increased by
seven percent in 2009. 14 million farmers in 25 countries grew biotech
crops, over 90 percent of them small farmers in developing countries.

"The peer-reviewed evidence presented in Nature Biotechnology continues to
confirm the yield and economic benefits we have heard from farmers worldwide
for more than a decade," said Denise Dewar, Executive Director for Plant
Biotechnology at CropLife International. "Farmers around the world are faced
with changing climates and pest pressures which make it challenging to
achieve food security for a growing population. The continued increase in
biotech crop acreage is testament to the simple truth that farmers, when
given the option, choose biotech crops because of the benefits they
provide."

Other research conclusions in the Nature Biotechnology article include:

- Biotech crops are a cost efficient means of producing higher yields. In
most cases reviewed, increased seed costs (including technology fees)
were offset by reductions in pesticide costs.

- Farmers are looking to biotech crops to save time, which saves them
money. A survey of U.S. corn farmers found that the handling and labour
time savings, human and environmental safety, reduced yield risk,
equipment cost savings and better standability of insect-resistant corn
was valued at $10.32 per hectare.

- Biotech crops help conserve soil resources by facilitating the adoption
of conservation tillage practices.

CropLife International and its members are committed to making available the
best plant science technologies to help achieve sufficient, safe and healthy
food production, improved livelihoods and the preservation of non-renewable
resources.


      *KAPNAYAN Seminar Series 2009
Presentations available for download:*

   - *Applications of Nanotechnology for the Environment*, *Dr. Lorele
   Trinidad, BIOTECH, University of the Philippines Los Ba?os
(UPLB)*<http://www.bic.searca.org/seminar_proceedings/2009/11-12%20nov/drtrinidad_Nanotechnology.pdf>
   - *Prospects, Environmental Impact and Energy Security Potential of
   Biofuels in the Philippines*, *Dr. Rex Demafelis, UPLB Dept. of Chemical
   Engineering*<http://www.bic.searca.org/seminar_proceedings/2009/11-12%20nov/drdemafelis_BiofulesinthePhils.pdf>
   - *Environmental Biotechnology Applications*, *Dr. Jessica Simbahan,
   BIOTECH, UPLB*<http://www.bic.searca.org/seminar_proceedings/2009/11-12%20nov/drsimbahan_EnvironmentalBiotechApplications.pdf>
   - *How Do We Adapt to Climate Change*, *Dr. Virginia Cuevas, UPLB
   Institute of Biological
Sciences*<http://www.bic.searca.org/seminar_proceedings/2009/11-12%20nov/drcuevas_AdaptingtoClimateChange.pdf>



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<http://www.bic.searca.org/info_kits/general_biotech2009.pdf>
*BROCHURE: Biotechnology and Its
Applications*<http://www.bic.searca.org/info_kits/general_biotech2009.pdf>


<http://www.bic.searca.org//info_kits/philippine_biotechtimeline.pdf>
*POSTER:
Timeline on the Development of Modern Biotechnology in the
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*s*


<http://www.isaaa.org/resources/publications/briefs/41/default.asp>
*ISAAA REPORT:
Global Status of Biotech / GM Crops in
2009*<http://www.isaaa.org/resources/publications/briefs/41/default.asp>


<http://www.isaaa.org/resources/videos/normanborlauglegacy/default.asp>
*ISAAA VIDEO:
Highlights of the Global Status of Biotech Crops: A Six-Part
Series*<http://www.isaaa.org/resources/videos/normanborlauglegacy/default.asp>


------------------------------
  <http://www.isaaa.org/resources/publications/briefs/41/default.asp>
 ------------------------------
  [image: ISAAA Celebrates the Life of its Founding Patron, Nobel Peace
Laureate] <http://www.isaaa.org/>
 ------------------------------
       *BIO International
Convention*<http://www.bic.searca.org/events/index2010.html#bio2010>
Chicago, United States
03 - 06 May 2010

*Bioinformatics @ IRRI: What's Brewing?* <http://www.bic.searca.org/>
IRRI, Los Ba?os, Laguna, Philippines
06 May 2010, 1:15 - 2:15 PM

*Bangalore BIO 2010*<http://www.bic.searca.org/events/index2010.html#bangalore2010>
Bangalore, India
02 - 04 June 2010

*AgriGenomics World
Congress*<http://www.bic.searca.org/events/index2010.html#agwc2010>
Brussels, Belgium
08 - 09 July 2010

        *Pest management expert discusses multiple pest infestation and
yield loss in the
Philippines*<http://www.searca.org/web/news/2010/apr/web/30.html>

*New SEARCA book zeroes in on climate change and biodiversity link
*<http://www.searca.org/web/news/2010/apr/web/26.html>

Read more news from SEARCA...<http://www.searca.org/web/news/2010/index.html>

     *SEARCA Agriculture and Development Seminar Series (ADSS)
**Human-Forest Interaction in Aborlan Guba System, Palawan Island,
Philippines: Implications for Conservation and Management*
Speaker: Prof. Lita Sopsop, *SEARCA PhD Research Scholar and Professor,
Western Philippines University*
SEARCA, College, Laguna, Philippines
04 May 2010, 4:00 - 5:00 PM

*Download SEARCA ADSS presentation handouts
here*<http://www.searca.org/web/adss/2010/index.html>


------------------------------
    *SEARCA Biotechnology InformationCenter
College 4031, Laguna, Philippines
Tel +63 49 536 2290 ext 406/169
Fax +63 49 536 4105
URL: *http://www.bic.searca.org
*E-mail: *bic at searca.org* *
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*About SEARCA BIC E-news Service*
This E-news Service provides news updates, announcements and events on and
related to biotechnology around the world, with focus on biotech
developments in the Philippines and the Asia Pacific, and are posted by the
SEARCA Biotechnology Information Center (BIC).

*About SEARCA BIC*
The SEARCA BIC is one of the biotechnology information nodes of the
International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications
Global Knowledge Center (ISAAA KC) and hosted by the Southeast Asian
Regional Center for Graduate Studies and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA).
It was officially established in 2000 to address the needs of the region for
a highly credible, sound and factual biotechnology information center in the
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*Copyright ? 2010 SEARCA BIC*
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From searcabic at gmail.com  Fri May 28 19:48:05 2010
From: searcabic at gmail.com (SEARCA Biotechnology Information Center)
Date: Fri, 28 May 2010 19:48:05 +0800
Subject: [searcabic]  Latest news postings on biotechnology, 28 May 2010
Message-ID: <AANLkTin13c8rt4HwWI3vQqkQIGqqHU_Sko4pOXuxR4cO@mail.gmail.com>

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*Posted 28 May 2010 *

*NEWS FEATURE
*1-ASIA: COPING WITH CLIMATE CHANGE

*BIC UPDATES
*2-ASFARNET HOLDS BIOTECH FORUM IN BICOL REGION
3-PHILIPPINE AGRI STATE UNIVERSITY PARTNERS WITH MEDIA ON BIOTECHNOLOGY

*PHILIPPINES
*4-CBSUA TO PILOT FSB-RESISTANT EGGPLANT RESEARCH AND PLANTATION
5-BORER-FREE GM EGGPLANT IN RP BY Q4 2011
6-YOUNG FILIPINO SCIENTISTS LEARN VALUABLE LESSONS FROM INTERNATIONAL
BIOTECH MEET
7-MONSANTO PHILIPPINES SEEKS APPROVAL TO MARKET SECOND-GENERATION ?BT? CORN
8-6 FILIPINO SCIENTISTS HONORED

*VIETNAM
*9-CITY STARTS WORK ON BIOTECHNOLOGY CENTER

*JAPAN
*10-GENETICALLY ENGINEERED PAPAYAS TO HIT STORE SHELVES AS EARLY AS SUMMER

*INDIA
*11-BANGALORE BIO FROM JUNE 2

*GLOBAL
*12-PLANT BIOTECH WORLD CONGRESS TO HIGHLIGHT SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERIES AND
TECHNOLOGIES BRINGING NEW HOPE TO FEEDING THE WORLD AND IMPROVING LIVES
13-BIO COMMENTS ON CONSTRUCTION OF A SELF-REPLICATING, SYNTHETIC BACTERIAL
CELL BY J. CRAIG VENTER INSTITUTE

More news... <http://www.bic.searca.org/news/2010/news_archive.html>

    *NEWS FEATURE
1-ASIA: COPING WITH CLIMATE CHANGE*
Dec 2009 - May 2010 CropLife Asia Agrolinks Vol. 10 No.
2<http://www.croplifeasia.org/ref_library/croplifeAsia/AgroLinksDec09-May2010.pdf%20>

In conversation with Clive James, Founder and Chairman of ISAAA

*Agrolinks: What is the impact of climate change on Asia?*

*James: *Climate change is going to affect developing countries more
negatively than developed countries. There are of course exceptions like
Canada, which will gain from global warming because agriculture is possible
in larger areas in the northern latitudes.

About two-thirds of the world?s arable land will be subject to drought
conditions because of global warming. Floods, which will be more frequent
and severe, will occur in Asia and this will affect basic staples like rice.
Another issue is salinity due to rising sea levels. Land that is currently
productive will be adversely affected. In addition, higher temperatures will
trigger more severe pest attacks.

For developing countries, the key challenge is increasing crop yields.
Sustainable intensification is the key challenge for farmers given the need
to double the production of food, feed and fiber by 2050.

*Agrolinks: What can Asia?s farmers do to cope with climate change?*

*James:* As most of the world?s farmers are small or subsistence farmers,
you need to have the right technology in place for farmers in developing
countries to increase yields. Biotechnology is essential, but not the
cure-all. It has to be used in conjunction with conventional technology. For
instance, well-adapted rice germplasm and the application of biotechnology
have to work hand in hand to allow for the delivery of the best technology
package to farmers.

With declining returns from conventional technology, however, you will not
be able to raise productivity with conventional technology alone. With
biotech, the evidence is that farmers can increase the production of food,
and incidentally, reduce the cost of production.

Given that the poor spend 70 to 80 percent of their income on food while the
rich spend only 15 to 20 percent, cutting the cost of production can help to
keep food affordable for the poor. In addition, when small farmers gain
income, this translates into a better socio-economic benefits such as better
access to ante-natal care for women in their households and better access to
education for their children.

Essentially, if government policy doesn?t provide incentives for farmers
today, they won?t produce the food we will need and they will get poorer
than they are today.

*Agrolinks: How receptive is Asia in adopting biotech crops?*

*James:* I am optimistic about the adoption of biotech varieties in Asia.

In the long run, I believe droughts are the most important constraint on
food production. An example is Australia?s experience with very bad droughts
of 2006 to 2007, which affected the supply of wheat for the world and
contributed to price increases. Drought in China?s northern region earlier
this year will cut wheat supply by up to 20 percent.

I see China leading the adoption of biotech crops in Asia. Over the years,
China has been very supportive of biotech cotton. Critics had originally
feared that biotech cotton could only work in rich countries and on large
farms. However, 13 years since biotech cotton was first grown in China,
two-thirds of the cotton grown on 5.6 million hectares is biotech. In 2008,
there were some 7.1 million small farmers in China who benefited
significantly from biotech cotton. The crop generates an estimated US$1
billion worth of benefits annually for China.

Whereas farmers used to earn about US$350 a year, their income has risen by
30 percent, while cutting the use of crop protection products by half.

Studies in India and China show biotech cotton has increase yields by up to
50 percent and 10 percent, respectively, and reduced insecticide use in both
countries by up to 50 percent or more. In India, grower income increased by
up to US$250 or more per hectare, increasing farmer income nationally from
US$840 million to US$1.7 billion last year.

In the Philippines, which also has been very receptive to biotech corn,
production has jumped by up to 40 percent on average.

Out of 25 countries using biotech crops, 15 are developing countries where
there has been the most increase in adoption. This technology has been
acceptable to small farmers because it delivers benefits with less labor,
less exposure to pesticides, while delivering the most material and
socio-economic gains.

Australia is field-testing drought-tolerant wheat and two states recently
lifted a four-year ban on biotech canola. Finally, countries like India
recognize the importance of using biotech to make country self-sufficient in
food grains, including rice, wheat and oilseed production. The country?s
first biotech food crop, eggplant, is pending approval for commercialization
in the near term.

I predict the number of countries growing biotech crops, traits, area and
farmers will all grow substantially in the second decade of adoption. The
development of drought-resistant varieties of cotton, soy, wheat and rice
will be major developments.

In China, biotech phytase maize and biotech rice were recently approved for
commercial cultivation. Biotech rice is of momentous importance to China,
Asia and the rest of the world because the crop feeds half of humanity.

------------------------------
*BIC UPDATES
2-ASFARNET HOLDS BIOTECH FORUM IN BICOL REGION*
by Jenny A. Panopio
28-May-2010 SEARCA BIC Press Release

The Asian Farmer's Regional Network (ASFARNET) Philippine chapter, an
organization of farmers and interested stakeholders promoting the interests
of the farmers through technology, knowledge, communication and exchange
activities, conducted last May 20, 2010 the second Regional Agri-Biotech
Conference at the People's Hall, Provincial Capitol of Albay, Philippines.
The forum was co-organized by the International Service for the Acquisition
of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA), SEARCA Biotechnology Information
Center (BIC), and the Provincial Government of Albay, which also supported
the activity together with the Agricultural Biotechnology Support Project
(ABSPII), Philippines Department of Agriculture Biotechnology Program (DA
BPO) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

Dr. Candida B. Adalla, director of DA BPO shared the ongoing research,
communication and policy support initiatives of the DA related to
agricultural biotechnology which include R&D support on crop genetic
engineering with improved traits such insect resistant Bt eggplant and
vitamin-A enriched rice; marker-based assisted breeding for virus resistance
in abaca; and mass production of important crops such as coconut and
makapuno. She believes that biotechnology is an additional option for
Filipino farmers to increase farm yields and income, and as a source of
additional livelihood opportunities in the countryside. Biotech farmers
Rosalie Ellasus of Pangasinan and Raul Careras of Camarines Sur, gave their
first hand experiences in planting biotech crops focusing on the benefits
and impact it brought to their lives.

The activity educated about 80 participants composed of farmers,
agricultural extension workers, technicians and academe on the basics,
current applications and Philippine initiatives on agri-biotechnology.
Participants also learned the role of agri-biotechnology in biodiversity for
sustainable Philippine agriculture.

To learn more about biotechnology updates in the Philippines, visit SEARCA
BIC website at http://www.bic.searca.org or e-mail bic at agri.searca.org.

------------------------------
*3-PHILIPPINE AGRI STATE UNIVERSITY PARTNERS WITH MEDIA ON BIOTECHNOLOGY
*by Rochella B. Lapitan
28-May-2010 SEARCA BIC News Release

Thirty-three media practitioners, academic personnels, and local government
officers from the Bicol region gathered for the Media Workshop on Creating
Awareness, Knowledge and Understanding of Biotech Crops held at the Central
Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA), Camarines Sur on 19 May 2010.

The workshop is a sequel of biotech outreach activities that started in 2005
which aims to enhance the awareness and understanding of key stakeholders on
the principles and benefits of agri-biotechnology; update them on the R&D
status of public-sector GM/biotech products; and share farmers? experiences
in adopting GM/biotech crops. Specifically, the workshop enabled to promote
science-based and responsible reporting of biotechnology issues by media
practitioners as well as to establish network with them and other key
stakeholders in the Bicol region.

In his opening remarks, Prof. Joel Batanes, vice-president of CBSUA
Research, Extension and Enterprise Development, emphasized that, ?Bringing
the right information to farmers? doorsteps will surely make a better
acceptance of biotechnology. We need media people, who are credible source
of information, to convey to the public the information on what our research
scientists are doing, such as the project on the development of transgenic
fruit and shoot borer-resistant eggplant.? He underscored CBSUA?s stand in
adopting scientific programs, such as biotechnology, that will benefit
farmers and complement with the national food sufficiency program.

During the workshop, multi-awarded farmer Rosalie Ellasus of Pangasinan
shared her experiences in planting Bt corn. ?I harvested 9.2 metric tons
(MT) of Bt corn last year?, said Rosalie who is using stacked trait Bt corn
in her farm. As a progressive farmer, she envisages the need for better
post-harvest facilities, broadened marketing linkages, and new biotech crops
that will able to cope up with the changing climate.

The workshop was organized as a collaborative effort among CBSUA, the
International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications
(ISAAA), SEARCA Biotechnology Information Center (SEARCA BIC), Asian Farmers
Regional Network (ASFARNET) ? Philippines and the Agricultural Biotechnology
Support Project (ABSPII), and was supported by the Philippines Department of
Agriculture Biotechnology Program Office (DA BPO) and the United States
Agency for International Development (USAID).

To learn more about biotechnology updates in the Philippines, visit SEARCA
BIC website at http://www.bic.searca.org or e-mail bic at agri.searca.org.

------------------------------
*PHILIPPINES
4-CBSUA TO PILOT FSB-RESISTANT EGGPLANT RESEARCH AND PLANTATION*
by LS Macatangay
25-May-2010 Philippine Information
Agency<http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=12&r=&y=&mo=&fi=p100525.htm&no=52>

Pili, Camarines Sur (25 May) -- Some 1,600 square meters of land has been
apportioned by Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA) here as
pilot site for the propagation of biotech eggplant here.

Dr. Dulce Mostoles, CBSUA's research professor and one of the facilitators
during a biotechnology workshop and study tour conducted here recently,
gladly stated that "this is the university's response to our farmer's
clamour for a better alternative to traditional control methods."

Farmers suffer a yield loss of more than 50 percent every crop season,
excluding the health and environmental hazard that they are facing due to
frequent spraying just to get rid of eggplant pest and disease problems,
particularly the harmful and most destructive pests in the Philippines and
other Asian countries - the fruit and shoot borer, commonly called FSB.

Every year, eggplant production suffers a detrimental setback in terms of
crop harvest due to a wide-scale infestation caused by FSB.

Dr. Diseree M. Hautea, Agricultural Biotechnology Support Project II (ABSP
II) regional coordinator and product manager, has been working on developing
a biotech eggplant which would solve the unending plight of farmers for an
FSB-resistant eggplant.

"Eggplant yield losses from 51- 73 percent due to FSB have been reported in
the country. We need to develop a biotech eggplant since conventional
breeding method is difficult due to sexual incompatibility and we have no
sources of resistance in commercial varieties."

FSB poses great danger to farmer's potential yields since its larvae or
caterpillars feed on eggplant's leaves and tunnel inside shoots, causing the
shoots to break or wilt. Once invaded by FSB, the maturing fruits will
eventually become inedible and unfit for market, thus contributes to the
production loss of the eggplant farmers.

As to the question if f BT eggplant is safe for human consumption, Hautea
has assured the public that before the FSBR or Fruit and Shoot
Borer-Resistant eggplant is approved for commercial use, scientists and
regulators ensure that it passes through many tests and safety assessments.

"Currently, the biotech eggplant is not yet commercially available. It is
still under the multi-location field trials. Various tests are continually
being done to ensure safety and performance of the product."

Approved pilot sites include Pangasinan, UPLB Extension Farm in Laguna, Sta.
Barbara in Iloilo, Visayas State University in Leyte, UP Mindanao in Davao
City, Cotabato and the Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA)
here in Camarines Sur.

Eggplants are widely grown in most parts of the country and considered as
one of the leading vegetable crops in terms of area and volume of
production. It is a good source of vitamins, fibers and minerals. *(PIA
CamSur) *

------------------------------
*5-BORER-FREE GM EGGPLANT IN RP BY Q4 2011*
by Lyn Resurreccion / Science Editor
24-May-2010 Business
Mirror<http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&catid=44%3Ascience&id=25494%3Aborer-free-gm-eggplant-in-rp-by-q4-2011&Itemid=69>

*First biotech food crop to be cultivated in the country*

PILI, Camarines Sur?Filipinos will soon be able to cook worm-holes-free
eggplant for their pinakbet, sinigang, torta or kare-kare. By late 2011 or
early 2012 the genetically modified (GM) fruit-and-shoot-borer-resistant
(FSBR) eggplant will be available in the Philippines.

The FSBR eggplant will be the ?first public-sector GM/biotech crop product
in the country? and the ?first GM/biotech food crop to be cultivated in the
country,? Dr. Desiree Hautea, research professor of the University of the
Philippines Los Ba?os and FSBR eggplant project leader, noted its
significance in the workshop and study tour for media practitioners in Bicol
held in Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA) in Pili,
Camarines Sur. The workshop had the theme ?Creating Awareness, Knowledge and
Understanding of Biotech Crops.?

At the same time, she said that since the crop will be borer-free, it would
increase the income of the farmers by 200 percent, or P50,000 additional
income per hectare of production, thus reducing poverty among farmers.

?If there is no problem in the schedule, if there is no major disaster or
typhoon, we hope we can submit the data from multilocation [testing] in
Luzon by January or February 2011. If it is approved by the regulators by
the middle of 2011, we will produce the seeds and the earliest [they] will
be available [in the market] is in October 2011,? Dr. Hautea said.

The project is currently conducting multilocation field trials all over the
country to test its viability in different parts of the Philippines.

Field trials are being held in Sta. Maria, Pangasinan; UPLB, Laguna; CBSUA,
Pili, Camarines Sur; Sta. Barbara, Iloilo; Visayas State University, Baybay,
Leyte; UP Mindanao, Davao City; and University of Southern Mindanao,
Kabacan, Cotabato.

Conference participants visited the restricted field-trial site inside the
CBSUA compound on Wednesday.

Dr. Dulce Mostoles, chairman of the Landscape and Environmental Department
of CBSUA, told the BusinessMirror the FSBR field-trial eggplants in the
university which were planted in April had an initial harvest of several
eggplants on May 20.

Afterward, they would harvest every four days and terminate the field trial
after 10 harvests. Another field trial will be made after two months, she
said.

*Developed in India*
Also known as Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) eggplant, it was developed
throught modern biotechnology or genetic modification by incorporating the
Bt gene into the eggplant. The FSBR eggplant produces natural protein that
makes it resistant to FSB, the major pest problem in eggplant production.
continued on A6

Once the FSB caterpillars feed on plant leaves, shoots and fruits, they lose
appetite and eventually die, the project brochure said. It added that the Bt
protein in the eggplant only affects FSB but not humans, farm animals and
other nontarget organisms.

The FSBR eggplant was developed by Maharashtra Hybrid Seed Co. (Mahyco) in
India. Containing the Bt cry1Ac gene (the same with the gene used in Bt
cotton), it was tested for seven years in India starting in 2001, including
in different climatic zones in the South Asian country, Dr. Hautea said.

She said food and feed safety tests conducted in India for FSBR eggplant
showed that its nutritional composition has not changed, it did not cause
allergenicity, it is not toxic to animals, including rats, cows, goats and
birds, and it has no change in cooking and protein testing.

She said biosafety and food/feed safety of the Mahyco FSBR eggplant found
that it ?effectively controlled the eggplant [FSB] pest? and it ?is as safe
as its non-Bt conterpart.? The GM crop, however, is not yet commercialized
in India.

*Licensed to UPLB ?royalty-free?*
Dr. Hautea said Mahyco licensed the FSBR eggplant ?royalty-free? to UPLB
through a public-private partnership. This means that the Philippines is
free to ?bring it to commercial production.?

After the licensing agreement, Filipino scientists started the research in
2003. They made the research in India by introducing the FSBR eggplant
technology to Philippine eggplant varieties they brought there. The positive
result was brought to UP-IPB, which started its contained trial in the
country in 2003, conducted the confined field trial in 2007, and the current
multilocation trial all over the country.

*Eggplant is No. 1 crop in RP*
Dr. Hautea said eggplant is a very important crop in the country because it
is now the No. 1 vegetable in volume production in the country, outranking
tomato. It is used it many Filipino dishes like kare-kare, pinakbet,
sinigang, paksiw and torta, and it is eaten as boiled, fried or broiled.

Unknown to many, eggplant, or locally known as talong, has high nutritional
value because it has energy, carbohydrates, sugars, dietary fiber, fat,
protein, and vitamins and minerals like vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B9 and
C, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc and manganese, the
Wikipedia said.

However, she said that despite the high yield, Filipino farmers lose 50
percent of the harvest to borer infestation. To prevent infestation, farmers
spray insecticides to the crops up to 72 times?or every other day?per season
of three to five months, making the cost of spraying amount to 24 percent of
the production cost.

Besides, the financial drain to the farmers, frequent insecticide spraying
was also linked to health and environmental hazards.

Dr. Hautea said the major areas of eggplant production in the country are
Pangasinan, Nueva Ecija, Batangas, Iloilo, Cebu Agusan, Davao and North
Cotabato.

*Local FSBR eggplant is damage-free*
She said that based on the UP-IPB research, Bt eggplant showed no damage in
its flesh, while the non-Bt corn was badly damaged.

She said it has no significant difference in moisture, oil, protein, ash,
crude fiber and carbohydrate compositions, and it is within range of
proximate values observed compared with the eggplants sampled from several
wet markets in Laguna. As such, it will help improve the nutritional status
of eggplant consumer.

The former IPB head added that no significant difference were observed for
total phenols and flavonoid compositions between the Bt eggplant and its
non-Bt counterpart.

Dr. Hautea also noted that Bt eggplant protects biodiversity because it has
no adverse effect on nontarget lepidopterans or winged insects, such as
cutworms, Helicoverpa and semilooper, and on sucking insects like
leafhopper, mites, aphids and thrips. If the GM eggplant will be released to
the market, Filipinos will enjoy eating their No. 1 vegetable more.

------------------------------
*6-YOUNG FILIPINO SCIENTISTS LEARN VALUABLE LESSONS FROM INTERNATIONAL
BIOTECH MEET *
24-May-2010 Malaya <http://www.malaya.com.ph/05242010/liv2.html>

A medical student from the Far Eastern University-Dr. Nicanor Reyes Medical
Foundation and a molecular biology instructor at the University of the
Philippines Diliman were among 60 students from 27 countries who
participated in the 4th Novartis International Biotechnology Leadership Camp
(BioCamp) held in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.

BioCamp provides selected students from all over the world with the
opportunity to learn from leading biotech experts, work with other students
from various cultures, and explore career opportunities.

Inspired by their BioCamp experience, the two young Filipino scientists have
become even more committed to harnessing the power of biotechnology in
nation building.

Two young Filipino scientists have learned valuable lessons from an
international biotechnology workshop?lessons they plan to share with fellow
scientists and apply in the local biotech industry.

"BioCamp taught me that scientists should understand not just the scientific
aspects of biotechnology, but its financial and social dynamics as well,"
said Mr. Janill Magano, a 21-year-old second year academic scholar at the
Far Eastern University-Dr. Nicanor Reyes Medical Foundation.

"Through BioCamp, I learned the importance of an effective business plan in
the development and marketing of a biotechnology product," said Ms. Kellsye
Fabian, a 22-year-old molecular biology instructor at UP Diliman.

Magano and Fabian were among 60 students from 27 countries who participated
in the 4th Novartis International Biotechnology Leadership Camp (BioCamp)
held from October 26-30, 2009 in the Novartis Institute for Biological
Research (NIBR) in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.

Organized annually by the research-based Swiss healthcare company Novartis,
BioCamp provides selected students from all over the world with the
opportunity to learn from leading biotech experts, interact with
professionals and work together with other students from various cultures.
The prestigious workshop also enables students to explore career
opportunities and network with global leaders in the biotechnology sector.

Novartis works with the Department of Science and Technology, Intellectual
Property Philippines, Hybridigm, public and private research centers, and
academic institutions in the country to promote research and development and
develop promising Filipino students.

Among the BioCamp speakers which included some of the world?s top biotech
experts, Magano and Fabian were most impressed with Dr. George Q. Daley. An
Associate Professor of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology and
Pediatrics at Children?s Hospital in Boston, Daley spoke on the promise of
stem cells in developing new medicines.

"Dr. Daley?s lecture was the most interesting. Stem cells theoretically
offer treatment for a wide array of currently incurable diseases, the
realization of which would be a dream-come-true for healthcare
professionals," Magano explained.

"The topic of stem cells is not an entirely novel concept for me, but Dr.
Daley was able to give it a new perspective. His passion for stem cell
research made me better appreciate this emerging technology and more aware
of its positive impact on medicine," said Fabian.

Another lecture that struck a chord with Fabian was the overview of vaccines
research given by Dr. Christian Mandl, Head of Vaccines Research, Novartis
Vaccines and Diagnostics (US). Fabian who considers vaccines as "one of the
most important medical products" ever developed by scientists has a keen
interest in vaccines. Her masteral thesis which investigates how the body?s
immune system responds to a surface protein of Plasmodium falciparum (the
causative agent of malaria) is related to vaccines.

Magano believes Dr. Mandl?s lecture on vaccine research is particularly
relevant to the Philippines where "infectious diseases like dengue, typhoid
fever, and malaria kill thousands of Filipinos every year."

------------------------------
*7-MONSANTO PHILIPPINES SEEKS APPROVAL TO MARKET SECOND-GENERATION ?BT? CORN
*
by Jennifer A. Ng / Reporter
19-May-2010 Business
Mirror<http://businessmirror.com.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=25419:monsanto-philippines-seeks-approval-to-market-second-generation-bt-corn&catid=53:agri-commodities>

MULTINATIONAL agricultural firm Monsanto Philippines has sought regulatory
approval for its second-generation genetically modified (GM) corn that is
known to offer better protection against pests such as the Asiatic corn
borer (ACB).

The Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) confirmed that Monsanto Philippines filed
the application for regulatory approval for the GM corn variant dubbed as
Mon89034 during the last week of April.

?Monsanto has just recently filed the application for regulatory approval. I
don?t think it would take a year for [the government] to evalute their
application,? said BPI director Larry Lacson in a telephone interview.

Dr. Harvey L. Glick, senior director of Monsanto?s Scientific Affairs for
Asia, noted that the second-generation Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) corn
offers better protection against Asiatic corn borer because it features ?two
genes and two proteins.?

The regulatory approval is required by the Philippine government prior to
commercialization of a particular GM crop.

Glick, however, could not give estimates regarding the potential yield of
Mon89034.

The Monsanto official disclosed the company has set its sights on developing
other traits for corn. These include drought tolerance, nitrogen efficiency
and higher yield.

The company is also developing other GM variants, particularly for fruits
and vegetables.

Just recently, Glick said the company has developed the Vistive Gold
soybeans. Oil from the Vistive Gold soybeans contain reduced trans and
saturated fat, offering consumers an alternative to plain vegetable oil.

Monsanto Philippines was the first multinational firm to have obtained an
approval from the Department of Agriculture to propagate its GM corn,
Mon810. The approval was granted in 2002, amid protests from environment
groups such as Greenpeace.

The government, however, defended its approval of the propagation of Bt
corn, saying that the Scientific and Technical Review Panel (STRP) composed
of independent scientists did not find evidence of potential risk to humans.

Bt corn is a variety of corn where a specific Bt gene is inserted to produce
a protein that protects the corn plant from feeding by ACB. This makes the
corn plant naturally resistant to attack by ACB.

------------------------------
*8-6 FILIPINO SCIENTISTS HONORED*
by Rizal Raoul Reyes / Correspondent
08-May-2010 Business
Mirror<http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=24954:6-filipino-scientists-honored&catid=44:science&Itemid=69>

A CHIEF science research specialist, a coastal-resource management
specialist, an industrial-engineering and operations-research expert, a
nuclear-technology chemistry research specialist, a plant-breeding and
biotechnology specialist, and a computer-science specialist.

These were the expertise of the six scientists honored by the Department of
Science and Technology (DOST) on Thursday because they have made
contributions to the advancement of scientific research in the country.
Science Secretary Estrella Alabastro led the ceremonies held at Sul? Hotel
in Quezon City.

Dr. Sergio Francisco, chief science research specialist of the Philippine
Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), was conferred the level of scientist by
the DOST under the Scientific Career System.

Dr. Francisco?s areas of specialization include production economics, impact
assessment and benefit-cost analysis of management options, multicriteria
analysis, resource economics and statistics. He authored and coauthored 27
scientific papers and technical bulletins published in scientific journals.

The Scientific Career System was established within the civil service
pursuant to Executive Order (EO) 784 on March 17, 1982. It was formally
organized on July 19, 1983, with the issuance of EO 901. It was reinforced
when Section 4 of Republic Act 8439, or the Magna Carta for Scientists,
Engineers, Researchers and Other Science and Technology Personnel in
Government, was included, according to the information on the pamphlet.

Four other scientists were honored as graduates of the Japan Society for the
Promotion of Science (JSPS) program to earn their Ph.D. dissertation, or the
Ronpaku program.

They were Dr. Victor Soliman of Bicol University, Dr. Iris Ann Martinez of
University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman, Dr. Lucille Abad of
DOST-Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI), and Victoria Lapitan of
PhilRice.

Soliman, an Assistant Professor V, specializes in coastal-resource
management, while Martinez is affiliated with the Department of Industrial
Engineering and Operations Research in UP Diliman.

Abad, a senior science research specialist at the PNRI, is focused on
chemistry research. Lapitan is specializing in plant breeding and
biotechnology.

The Ronpaku program is offered to deserving researchers and academicians in
Asia to give them the opportunity to obtain a Ph.D. degree in Japanese
universities with free matriculation. The program is one of the major
components of the DOST-JSPS Joint Scientific Cooperation Program.

Since the Ronpaku program started in the Philippines in 1979, it already
produced a total 69 graduates, with 16 ongoing fellows from 18 institutions
and 12 fields of specialization as of fiscal year 2009.

Meanwhile, Dr. Ricolindo Cari?o was honored in the Balik Scientist Program.
He holds a Ph.D. in computer science at La Trobe University in Australia. He
finished his Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics at UP Los Ba?os.

Dr. Cari?o was credited for improving the registration process of UP Los
Ba?os by installing an upgraded registration software and developing
software manuals, and also conducted users? training.

Secretary Alabastro also inducted the 2009 officers of the Philippine
Association of Career Scientists Inc. (PACS). The new PACS officers are Dr.
Eulito Bautista (president), Dr. Teotimo Aganon (vice president), Dr.
Constancio Asis Jr. (secretary), Dr. Evelyn Gergon (treasurer), Dr. Victor
Amoroso (auditor), Dr. Eusebio Dizon (PRO), Dr. Carlos Garcia (business
manager) and board members Dr. Erlinda Mari, Engr. Samuel Franco, Forester
Arsenio Ella and Dr. Trinidad Trinidad.

------------------------------
*VIETNAM
9-CITY STARTS WORK ON BIOTECHNOLOGY CENTER*
by Kinh Luan
26-May-2010 The Saigon Times
Daily<http://english.thesaigontimes.vn/Home/business/other/10486/>

HCMC ? Work started on Tuesday on the HCMC Biotechnology Center, six years
after the HCMC government signed a decision establishing the center to
support the development of high-tech agriculture in the city.

The center covers 23 hectares of land in District 12, not far from the Quang
Trung Software City, and requires an investment capital of US$100 million
for the first stage.

This center, the first of its kind in Vietnam, will be a multi-function
complex engaging in research and development, training, technology transfer,
and manufacturing of bio-products for use in the areas of agriculture,
medicine, pharmaceutics and environment.

Duong Hoa Xo, director of the center, said at the ceremony that the new
facility would serve as a science center in response to the central
Government?s program for biotechnological development in the period of
2006-2020.

According to him, the center now has three laboratories specializing in
molecule biology, technologies of plant cell and microorganism. Besides, the
center also has a 2,500-square-meter conservatory for growing orchids and
ornamental plants, and a bio-product workshop.

The project will be finished in 2014 with 13 specialized sections. The
section of ?Research & Test Production? will have 12 laboratories with
advanced equipment while the Research Department will be built as a
workplace for 200- 300 scientists.

------------------------------
*JAPAN
10-GENETICALLY ENGINEERED PAPAYAS TO HIT STORE SHELVES AS EARLY AS SUMMER
*27-May-2010 The Mainichi Daily
News<http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/news/20100525p2a00m0na017000c.html>

The government has decided to apply its genetically modified (GM) food
labeling rules to papayas, opening the way for the import of modified
papayas as early as this summer.

The fruit would be the first GM food meant for consumption raw to be allowed
distribution in Japan.

The decision by the Cabinet Office committee for consumer affairs clears the
way for the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare to recognize the GM
papayas for import and distribution under the Food Sanitation Act once the
plan passes a public input phase.

The decision applies specifically to papayas genetically altered for
resistance to harmful viruses. The modified fruit is now being grown in
Hawaii, and has been on sale in the United States since May 1999. Japan's
Food Safety Commission ruled in July last year that the papayas did not
present a health risk. If the fruit go on sale in Japan, they must carry a
label stating they are GM products.

There are currently seven fresh and 32 processed GM foods approved for
import to Japan, though most are ingredients for processed goods or animal
fodder, and are not marketed as food for raw consumption by humans.

------------------------------
*INDIA
11-BANGALORE BIO FROM JUNE 2 *
26-May-2010 The
Hindu<http://www.hindu.com/2010/05/26/stories/2010052651560500.htm>

*It has been renamed Bangalore India Bio*

Bangalore: The 10th edition of Bangalore Bio, which has been rechristened
Bangalore India Bio, will be held here from June 2 to June 4. The event is
being jointly organised by the Sate Department of IT, Biotechnology and
Science and Technology and the Vision Group on Biotechnology, which is
chaired by Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, chairperson of Biocon.

Principal Secretary, Department of IT, BT and S&T, Ashok Kumar C. Manoli,
has said that this edition will be attractive to investors because it will
overlap the Global Investors Meet, which is being held from June 3 to June
4. ?The two events will complement each other,? he remarked at a press
conference here on Tuesday.

Ms. Mazumdar-Shaw said the event has attracted participants from the
academic field, industry, several State Governments and research
institutions from several countries.

She said that a ?new attraction? would be the ?bio quiz? for undergraduate
students. The event would act as ?a platform for job creation? in the
industry because participants from industry and the academic field could
interact with students who are looking for jobs.

Bangalore India Bio would discuss the concept of ?biotech finishing schools?
which would make aspiring students ?industry-ready.?

Ms. Shaw said this edition would focus on biotechnology in the field of
agriculture. ?We will have a dedicated platform for this segment of the
industry,? she said. She said the industry hopes ?to emulate the success of
Bt cotton in other crops?.

------------------------------
*GLOBAL
12-PLANT BIOTECH WORLD CONGRESS TO HIGHLIGHT SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERIES AND
TECHNOLOGIES BRINGING NEW HOPE TO FEEDING THE WORLD AND IMPROVING LIVES
*26-May-2010 PR
Newswire<http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/plant-biotech-world-congress-to-highlight-scientific-discoveries-and-technologies-bringing-new-hope-to-feeding-the-world-and-improving-lives-94920679.html>

ST. LOUIS, May 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Discoveries that can increase crop yields
and productivity, create sustainable forests and new medicines, and other
advances to improve the lives of farmers and others' lives, especially in
the world's poorest countries, will be among the recurring themes of
presentations at the upcoming International Association for Plant
Biotechnology (IAPB) 12th World Congress, June 6-11, 2010, at the America's
Center in downtown, St. Louis, Missouri.

IAPB President Dr. Roger Beachy, Director of USDA National Institute of Food
and Agriculture (NIFA) will introduce and preside over the Congress,
attended by scientists, science policy leaders and others from across the
world.

The program includes 60 major presentations by invited speakers and more
than 200 short talks. In addition to the topics above, presenters also will
discuss biotechnology in terms of agriculture challenges as a result of
climate change, and global population growth. More information is available
online at www.iapb2010.org. Highlights include:

*Increasing Crop Yields and Productivity*
? Mark Manary, M.D., Washington University School of Medicine Professor of
Pediatrics, "Biotechnology and the potential it has to improve human
health," focused on improving the lives of the poorest peoples."
? Peter Beyer, Ph.D., Albert-Ludwigs Universitat Freiburg, Germany, "Golden
rice on a mission," describing the long road to developing rice with high
levels of beta-carotene.
? Jian-Kang Zhu, Ph.D., University of California, "Improving plant salt and
drought stress tolerance: Opportunities and challenges."
? Robert Fraley, Ph.D., Executive Vice President and Chief Technology
Officer, Monsanto Company, "Sustainable solutions for doubling crop
productivity by 2030."
? Robert Paarlberg, Ph. D., Professor of Political Science, Wellesley
University, "How agricultural biotechnology is being kept out of Africa."

*From Creating New Medicines to Nurturing Sustainable Forests*
? Gary Eldridge, Ph.D., President and CEO of Sequoia Sciences, St. Louis,
"Plant bacteria mutualism inspires novel medicines for recalcitrant
bacterial infections," describing new plant-inspired pharmaceutical drugs.
? Maud Hinchee, Ph.D., Chief Technical Officer, ArborGen, LLC,
"Purpose-grown trees for a sustainable future."

*Advances in developing new traits in plants*
? Vipula Shukla, Ph.D., Scientific Leader, Technology Licensing and
Commercialization, Dow AgroSciences, LLC, "Targeted genome modification in
plants."
? Mary Ann Lila, Ph.D., Director, Plants for Human Health Institute, North
Carolina State University-Plant Science, "Biomarkers: At the intersection
between nutrition, human health and agriculture."
? Jeffrey Gordon, MD, Ph.D., Washington University School of Medicine, "The
human gut microbiome: Dining in with a few trillion fascinating friend,"
describing the diversity of the microbiome in the human gut.

IAPB is the largest membership organization dedicated to caring for and
supporting plant tissue culture and biotechnology around the world. The
Congress is being held in conjunction with the annual meeting of the Society
for In Vitro Biology (SIVB).

------------------------------
*13-BIO COMMENTS ON CONSTRUCTION OF A SELF-REPLICATING, SYNTHETIC BACTERIAL
CELL BY J. CRAIG VENTER INSTITUTE
*20-May-2010 BIO Press
Release<http://www.bio.org/news/pressreleases/newsitem.asp?id=2010_0520_01>

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Thursday, May 20, 2010) - The successful construction of a
synthesized genome could enable new research and development of human
therapies, biofuels, and biobased chemicals from renewable resources. The
Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) today released the following
statement in regard to the announcement by the J. Craig Venter Institute of
the successful completion of a project to design, chemically synthesize, and
transplant a complete genome into a bacterial cell.

Jim Greenwood, BIO president & CEO, stated, ?The successful construction of
a synthesized genome represents an evolutionary milestone in the field of
biotechnology. Researchers and scientists have been using synthetic biology
and metabolic engineering techniques to genetically enhance microbes for
years. The achievement announced today can provide insights into the working
of microbial genomes that could lead to advances in health, agriculture and
industrial biotechnology.

?Many products made with genetically enhanced microbes are in use in the
average American home today. The use of genetically enhanced microbes to
produce therapies for human health, industrially useful biofuels and
chemicals, and even food ingredients is well regulated by federal agencies.
The biotechnology industry enjoys a safety record stretching back 35 years
in the use of genetically enhanced microbes.?

Renewable chemicals under development using new synthetic biology techniques
include biofuels and biobased chemicals derived from renewable resources,
including isoprene for rubber compounds, acrylics for paints and adhesives,
surfactants for chemical emulsions, and adipic acid for producing nylon and
other plastics. For more information about products made using synthetic
biology and federal regulations, visit http://bio.org/ind/syntheticbiology/.

Brent Erickson, executive vice president for BIO?s Industrial and
Environmental Section, said, ?This scientific achievement could someday lead
to the development of new microbes that could consume carbon dioxide and
turn it into clean burning natural gas or that could efficiently clean up
crude oil spills. The understanding of metabolic engineering gained by
today?s research achievement holds great potential to open new avenues for
research and development.?

BIO and the biotechnology industry respect the power of the technology we
are developing. We believe in the need for regulation, and we insist that
this technology ? in its myriad of applications ? be used to benefit
patients and others. For additional information on BIO?s bioethics
principles, visit http://bio.org/bioethics/background/principles.asp.

*Upcoming BIO Events *
World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology and Bioprocessing
June 27-30, 2010
Washington, DC

BIO India
September 21 - 22, 2010
Hyderabad, India

BIO?s Livestock Biotechnology Summit
September 28-30, 2010,
Sioux Falls, SD

*About BIO
BIO represents more than 1,200 biotechnology companies, academic
institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across
the United States and in more than 30 other nations. BIO members are
involved in the research and development of innovative healthcare,
agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products. BIO also
produces the BIO International Convention, the world?s largest gathering of
the biotechnology industry, along with industry-leading investor and
partnering meetings held around the world.
*


      *KAPNAYAN Seminar Series 2009
Presentations available for download:*

   - *Applications of Nanotechnology for the Environment*, *Dr. Lorele
   Trinidad, BIOTECH, University of the Philippines Los Ba?os
(UPLB)*<http://www.bic.searca.org/seminar_proceedings/2009/11-12%20nov/drtrinidad_Nanotechnology.pdf>
   - *Prospects, Environmental Impact and Energy Security Potential of
   Biofuels in the Philippines*, *Dr. Rex Demafelis, UPLB Dept. of Chemical
   Engineering*<http://www.bic.searca.org/seminar_proceedings/2009/11-12%20nov/drdemafelis_BiofulesinthePhils.pdf>
   - *Environmental Biotechnology Applications*, *Dr. Jessica Simbahan,
   BIOTECH, UPLB*<http://www.bic.searca.org/seminar_proceedings/2009/11-12%20nov/drsimbahan_EnvironmentalBiotechApplications.pdf>
   - *How Do We Adapt to Climate Change*, *Dr. Virginia Cuevas, UPLB
   Institute of Biological
Sciences*<http://www.bic.searca.org/seminar_proceedings/2009/11-12%20nov/drcuevas_AdaptingtoClimateChange.pdf>



[image: Subscribe A
Friend]<http://searcaweb.org/mailman/listinfo/bic_searcaweb.org>


     *SEARCA is in need of the following:*

   - *Project
   Development Specialist*, *Research and Development
Department*<http://www.bic.searca.org/jobs/index.html#pds>
   - *Head, **Knowledge Resources
Unit*<http://www.bic.searca.org/jobs/index.html#hkru>
   - *Web Developer *, *Knowledge Management
Department*<http://www.bic.searca.org/jobs/index.html#wd>

Applications will be received until *07 May 2010* or until a suitable
candidate is found.



<http://www.bic.searca.org/info_kits/general_biotech2009.pdf>
*BROCHURE: Biotechnology and Its
Applications*<http://www.bic.searca.org/info_kits/general_biotech2009.pdf>


<http://www.bic.searca.org//info_kits/philippine_biotechtimeline.pdf>
*POSTER:
Timeline on the Development of Modern Biotechnology in the
Philippine*<http://www.bic.searca.org//info_kits/philippine_biotechtimeline.pdf>
*s*


<http://www.isaaa.org/resources/publications/briefs/41/default.asp>
*ISAAA REPORT:
Global Status of Biotech / GM Crops in
2009*<http://www.isaaa.org/resources/publications/briefs/41/default.asp>


<http://www.isaaa.org/resources/videos/normanborlauglegacy/default.asp>
*ISAAA VIDEO:
Highlights of the Global Status of Biotech Crops: A Six-Part
Series*<http://www.isaaa.org/resources/videos/normanborlauglegacy/default.asp>


------------------------------
  <http://www.isaaa.org/resources/publications/briefs/41/default.asp>
 ------------------------------
  [image: ISAAA Celebrates the Life of its Founding Patron, Nobel Peace
Laureate] <http://www.isaaa.org/>
 ------------------------------
       *Bangalore BIO
2010*<http://www.bic.searca.org/events/index2010.html#bangalore2010>
Bangalore, India
02 - 04 June 2010

*12th International Association for Plant Biotechnology
Congress*<http://www.iapb-stl.org/>
Missouri, USA
06 - 11 June 2010

*AgriGenomics World
Congress*<http://www.bic.searca.org/events/index2010.html#agwc2010>
Brussels, Belgium
08 - 09 July 2010

        *47 SEARCA scholarship programs completed in SY 2009/2010
*<http://www.searca.org/web/news/2010/may/web/19.html>

*Agroforestry for science and
development*<http://www.searca.org/web/news/2010/may/web/19b.html>

Read more news from SEARCA...<http://www.searca.org/web/news/2010/index.html>

     *SEARCA Agriculture and Development Seminar Series (ADSS)
**PROFESSORIAL CHAIR LECTURE: Waste Management in the Emerging Philippine
Biofuel Industry*
Speaker: Prof. Rex B. Demafelis, *Chairman, Department of Chemical
Engineering, University of the Philippines Los Ba?os*
SEARCA, College, Laguna, Philippines
15 June 2010, 4:00 - 5:00 PM

*Download SEARCA ADSS presentation handouts
here*<http://www.searca.org/web/adss/2010/index.html>


------------------------------
    *SEARCA Biotechnology InformationCenter
College 4031, Laguna, Philippines
Tel +63 49 536 2290 ext 406/169
Fax +63 49 536 4105
URL: *http://www.bic.searca.org
*E-mail: *bic at searca.org* *
------------------------------
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*About SEARCA BIC E-news Service*
This E-news Service provides news updates, announcements and events on and
related to biotechnology around the world, with focus on biotech
developments in the Philippines and the Asia Pacific, and are posted by the
SEARCA Biotechnology Information Center (BIC).

*About SEARCA BIC*
The SEARCA BIC is one of the biotechnology information nodes of the
International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications
Global Knowledge Center (ISAAA KC) and hosted by the Southeast Asian
Regional Center for Graduate Studies and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA).
It was officially established in 2000 to address the needs of the region for
a highly credible, sound and factual biotechnology information center in the
Southeast Asian region accessible to various stakeholders. To learn more
about SEARCA BIC, visit our website at http://www.bic.searca.org.

*Copyright ? 2010 SEARCA BIC*
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