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<br><a class="country"><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif" color="#006600" size="2"><strong>PHILIPPINES</strong></font></a><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif" size="2"> <br>1-HONG KONG HOSTS SCIENTISTS OF THE FUTURE <br>
2-DA PUSHES CENTRAL LUZON AS AGGIE BIOTECH HUB <br>3-UK EXPERTS URGE RP CONSUMERS TO PUSH FOR GMO LABELING <br>4-COMMERCIALIZATION OF 3-IN-1 RICE ANTICIPATED TO YIELD LOTS OF BENEFITS <br><br></font><a class="country"><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif" color="#006600" size="2"><strong>CHINA</strong></font></a><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif" size="2"> <br>
5-CHINESE PREMIER SAYS HE SUPPORTS DEVELOPING TRANSGENIC ENGINEERING <br><br></font><a class="country"><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif" color="#006600" size="2"><strong>AFRICA</strong></font></a><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif" size="2"> <br>
6-SWAZILAND: NATIONAL BIOSAFETY FRAMEWORK READY FOR PARTY APPROVAL <br><br></font><a class="country"><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif" color="#006600" size="2"><strong>GLOBAL</strong></font></a><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif" size="2"> <br>
7-INTERNATIONAL FARMERS TO DISCUSS STRATEGY FOR INCREASING CROP YIELDS <br><br></font></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr>
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<div align="left"><br><font size="2"><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><strong>1-HONG KONG HOSTS SCIENTISTS OF THE FUTURE</strong><br>by Linda Bolido<br>20-October-2008 </font></font><a href="http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/learning/view/20081020-167353/Hong-Kong-hosts-scientists-of-the-future" target="_blank"><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif" color="#0000ff" size="2">Philippine Daily Inquirer</font></a><br>
<br><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif" size="2">MANILA, Philippines—Two Filipino graduate students will be among some 95 participants in the Novartis International Biotechnology Leadership Camp (BioCamp) to be held Oct. 24-27 at the Hong Kong Science Park in Hong Kong.<br>
<br>Joining the annual event organized by Novartis, a leading research-based pharmaceutical company, are Jun Ryan C. Orbina, a BS in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology graduate of the University of the Philippines Diliman who is taking his masters in Public Health at UP Manila and is a science research specialist of the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine; and Christina Lora M. Leyson, a summa cum laude graduate of BS Molecular Biology & Biotechnology of UP Diliman who is taking her MS Molecular Biology & Biotechnology also at UP Diliman and is a research associate of the university's Plant Molecular Biology and Plant Virology Laboratory.<br>
<br>The three-day Hong Kong event brings together graduate and post-graduate students from around the world who are interested in pursuing careers in biotechnology and have leadership and management potentials.<br><br>The global program "aims to support the development of the biotechnology industry by providing high-level education to young talents … Participants acquire in-depth knowledge of the latest developments in the global biotech industry, acquire cross-culture and disciplinary experience, as well as cutting-edge expertise and management skills essential for success in the biotechnology business."<br>
<br>The future<br>At the recent Novartis Philippines Biotechnology Leadership Camp that chose the two participants, speakers said "biotechnology is the future" and stressed its importance in dealing with existing and future problems.<br>
<br>Biotechnology, dubbed "the science of the future," is defined as the application of scientific and engineering principles to the processing of materials by biological agents to provide goods and services.<br><br>It is often associated with the manipulation of living organisms or their components, through genetic engineering, to produce useful commercial products like disease-resistant and/or high-yielding crops, new pharmaceutical preparations, etc.<br>
<br>Peter Goldschmidt, Novartis Philippines president and chief executive officer, said, "Biotechnology has been pivotal in advances made in the life sciences, medicine, agriculture and food manufacturing."<br><br>Novartis believed, he said, that biotechnology would also have an important role in promoting the growth of the national economy.<br>
<br>Global careers<br>The Hong Kong BioCamp, he added, was in pursuit of the company's mission "to help young researchers and scientists find ways to develop their global careers … Just being with people of the same interest (would already be useful)."<br>
<br>In a message read by Dr. Jaime Montoya, Science and Technology Secretary Estrella Alabastro said BioCamp participants represented the next generation of scientists and researchers. She stressed biotechnology's "limitless possibilities" as it was useful in the production of drugs, synthesis of hormones and the development of consumer goods.<br>
<br>"The Philippines can benefit a lot from the application of biotechnology in food production, drug manufacturing, agriculture…" Alabastro said.<br><br>Other speakers stressed the potential for success in business and industry, academe and other fields of those who pursued careers in biotechnology.<br>
<br>Goldschmidt said BioCamp was part of Novartis' commitment to corporate citizenship. Through the annual program, the company "aims to enhance the global competitiveness of future Filipino scientists and managers and, ultimately, contribute to nation-building."<br>
<br><strong>------------------------------------------------------------</strong><br><strong>2- DA PUSHES CENTRAL LUZON AS AGGIE BIOTECH HUB</strong><br>16-October-2008 BusinessMirror<br><br>THE Department of Agriculture-Biotechnology Program Office (DA-BPO) is eyeing to develop Central Luzon as a hub for agricultural biotechnology products and has conducted a series of seminars in the region to promote the cultivation of crops with many byproducts to raise rural incomes and improve nutrition. <br>
<br>Zambales Gov. Amor Deloso and Bataan Vice Gov. Serafin Roman attended the seminars in their provinces.<br><br>These seminars were attended by farmers, educators, businessmen, nongovernment organizations (NGOs) and representatives of local government units (LGUs).<br>
<br>Malunggay production was a key topic in the seminars, since the versatile tree has proven to be a major source of iron, vitamin A, zinc and other micronutrients crucial to the improvement of health among children and adults alike.<br>
<br>DA-BPO officials, led by director Alicia Ilaga, have been crisscrossing the country to expand the hectarage devoted to malunggay cultivation and, in the process, have increased the business opportunities offered by the lowly malunggay (Moringa oleifera Lmk). <br>
<br>Malunggay has also been known to increase the motility of sperm and improve lactation among nursing mothers, which is a boost to children who need to suckle their mothers in order to avoid contracting primary complex, which leads to lung diseases in adulthood.<br>
<br>Other studies conducted in India and other countries showed that the roots of malunggay have anticancer agents that can be isolated and used profitably by the global pharmaceutical industry.<br><br>Moreover, LGUs interested in joining the biofuel bandwagon also have a ready energy source in malunggay since its trunk can be used to produce ethanol, while its seeds are a fount of biodiesel.<br>
<br>Central Luzon is known as the primary rice producer of the Philippines, with 525,700 hectares of land devoted to the staple. Nueva Ecija alone produces about 8 percent of the total national production of palay.<br><br>
The total hectarage for rice comprises 41 percent of the region's total territory.<br><br>Other agricultural products in the region are sugar cane, corn, mango and cutflowers.<br><br>In Zambales alone, 25,412 hectares are utilized for rice production.<br>
<br>On the other hand, Bataan has 29,938 hectares earmarked for rice cultivation.<br><br>In the seminars conducted by DA-BPO, participants were shown malunggay's potential as a commodity with various applications and even bakeries, pastry shops and noodle manufacturers are now using malunggay leaves as ingredients for their products, some of which have already penetrated the international market.<br>
<br>Secura International president Danilo Manayaga also joined the seminars and discussed how Moringa oil can be profitable for malunggay growers.<br><br>He further said that as the world market shifts to biofuel as a primary energy source, the demand for Moringa oil will rise tremendously.<br>
<br>In an interview, Roman said Bataan is now ready to make malunggay a primary product.<br><br>"Bataan is a mountainous area, so [there's a lot of] upland farming. Malunggay doesn't need a lot of water, so if you're talking upland farming, that place is suitable for malunggay," he adds.<br>
<br>When asked on the province's stand on biotechnology, he said Bataan has been cultivating Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) corn to help farmers gain more profit. Corn is a prime crop in Bataan.<br><br>Roman added other crops like coconut and cassava are open to enhancement through biotechnology.<br>
<br>While the land devoted to farming is small, the people of Bataan are very keen on intensifying agricultural production through the efficient use of farms.<br><br>Lagundi, another plant that has gained fame for its medicinal properties, is cultivated in Bataan. A pharmaceutical company in Bagac is planting it and manufacturing various preparations from the active ingredient derived from the plant.<br>
<br>There is also a plan to set up a malunggay nursery in the province to help boost the growing malunggay industry. This, he said, will be realized through the collaboration of the LGUs and the DA-BPO.<br><br>Biotechnology is a major part of Deloso's vision to develop Zambales as a key agricultural producer.<br>
<br>His long-term plan for Zambales is to create a community that can stand on its own. Biotechnology should play the role of realizing the industrialization of the province as well.<br><br>Deloso said that while the province is undergoing industrialization, biotechnology should take care of the food and nutrition needs of the people of Zambales. <br>
<br>"It was neglected," was his answer, when asked on the status of malunggay farming in the province. "It wasn't given so much attention. But if that's really given primary concern that will expand, because we can easily adapt to malunggay."<br>
<br>He also revealed the provincial government's plan to buy malunggay seedlings and distribute these to his constituents.<br><br>Zambales is also working on a project to build a biogas plant, where waste generated by Zambales, including Olongapo, will be used to produce butane.<br>
<br>Aside from Bataan and Zambales, a malunggay nursery has been put up in Tarlac earlier in this year.<br><br>This was done through the initiative of BIONet-Pilipinas, an organization that aims to help farmers and stakeholders reach their products to the market, DA-BPO and the LGU. Biolife News Service<br>
<br><strong>------------------------------------------------------------</strong><br><strong>3-UK EXPERTS URGE RP CONSUMERS TO PUSH FOR GMO LABELING</strong><br>by Jennifer A. Ng (Reporter)<br>16-October-2008 BusinessMirror<br>
<br>EXPERTS based in the United Kingdom urged Filipino consumers to push for the labeling of genetically engineered (GE) foods so they would know whether the product they are using or ingesting contains genetically modified organisms (GMOs).<br>
<br>Given that the Philippines imports GM products and even propagate GM crops like corn, Dr. Peter Saunders, professor of applied mathematics at King's College London and cofounder of Institute of Science and Society (ISIS), said Filipino consumers should insist on mandatory GM labeling.<br>
<br>"Labeling is very important. The information [on a particular product] is crucial, so consumers who don't want to consume GM products can avoid them," said Saunders in a forum on the failure of GM crops to deliver on its promise of increased food production held in Quezon City on Thursday.<br>
<br>Currently, labeling of GM products is not practiced in the Philippines, since there is no law compelling companies to reveal whether the food or products they sell contain GMOs.<br><br>Opponents of GMOs, led by the Network Opposed to Genetically Modified Organisms (NO2GMOs!), said there are pending bills in the House of Representatives which seek to compel companies to practice mandatory labeling, among others.<br>
<br>Unfortunately, NO2GMOs! said House Bills (HB) 1350, 2085 and 1621, authored by Reps. Del de Guzman of Marikina City, Emmylou Taliño-Santos (First District, North Cotabato) and Roseller Barinaga (Second District, Zamboanga del Norte), are still languishing at the Committee on Trade and Industry. The three bills were introduced in 2005.<br>
<br>HBs 1350 and 2085 seek to require the mandatory labeling of food and food products containing GMOs and food produced by genetic-engineering technologies. In effect, the two bills will amend RA 7394, or the Consumer Act of the Philippines.<br>
<br>HBs 1621, meanwhile, seeks to regulate the strict labeling of food and beverage products by manufacturing and distributing companies.<br><br>But the best protection against the dangers posed by ingesting GMOs is for the Philippines to consider banning it altogether, said Saunders and Dr. Mae Wan-Ho, director and cofounder of ISIS.<br>
<br>Citing the findings of project Encode (Encyclopedia of DNA elements) organized by the United States National Human Genome Research Institute, Wan-Ho said genetic engineering poses dangers to consumers. This is because the researchers found that "genes appear to operate in a complex network, and interact and overlap with one another and with other components in ways not yet fully understood."<br>
<br>Apart from the "dangers" of GMOs, she also noted that GM farming is not cost-efficient and is unsustainable, compared with organic farming.<br><br>"Only organic agriculture can truly feed the world. More than that, organic agriculture and localized food and energy systems can potentially compensate for all greenhouse emissions due to human activities and free us from fossil fuels, and we need to implement this urgently," said Wan-Ho.<br>
<br>The experts cited the pronouncement made by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations that there is enough food produced to feed everyone using only conventional crops, and that it will remain the case for at least 25 years.<br>
<br><strong>------------------------------------------------------------</strong><br><strong>4-COMMERCIALIZATION OF 3-IN-1 RICE ANTICIPATED TO YIELD LOTS OF BENEFITS</strong><br>by Dr. Sosimo Ma. Pablico<br>Agriculture Magazine October 2008 issue<br>
<br>Four years from now, a 3-in-1 rice variety that is now being developed by the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) is expected to be planted on a commercial scale throughout the country. The seven-year breeding project started in 2004, soon after PhilRice received genetically modified Golden Rice grants donated by the Gates Foundation. Field tests are expected to start before the end of 2008.<br>
<br>The 3-in-1 variety will be the first of its kind as it will contain three important traits never before found at the same time in a rice variety, according to the PhilRice scientist Dr. Antonio A. Alfonso who leads the breeding team. With the use of conventional breeding techniques, the breeding work involves transferring not only the genes for beta-carotene biosynthesis into the grains of local varieties but also the genes for rice tungro disease and bacterial leaf blight resistance.<br>
<br>Golden Rice, one of the parents of the 3-in-1 rice, is genetically modified since it is the result of genetic engineering that involved the deliberate artificial introduction of two genes from other organisms into the rice genome. The process completed the biochemical pathway that allows beta-carotene production in the rice grain, giving it the distinct yellow color. The latest version has about 23 times more carotenoid (pro-vitamin A) than the prototype, which has 1.6 micrograms per gram of grains.<br>
<br>However, Golden Rice is a japonica rice variety, which thrives in temperahte rice-growing countries but not under tropical conditions such as in the Philippines.<br><br>Research reports indicate that although the rice plant produces beta-carotene in its leaves and stems under normal condition, it does not produce any in its grains. For this reason, a rice-based diet contributes to high prevalence of vitamin A deficiency or VAD, particularly among the poor, who cannot afford to include vegetables, meat, and other foods rich in vitamin A in their meals on a daily basis.<br>
<br>Vitamin A, an antioxidant needed in vision development and bone growth, is also important in the maintenance of the human immune system. It is stored in the liver, promotes good vision, enables proper reproduction and lactation among women, and helps in the formation and maintenance of healthy teeth, skeletal and soft tissue, mucous membrane, and skin.<br>
<br>"Insufficient vitamin A and beta-carotene intake for long periods of time results in morbidity and mortality, particularly among children and pregnant and lactating women – the most affected population groups," said a research team from the Sikap / Strive Foundation and PhilRice, who conducted an "Ex-Ante Impact Evaluation of 3-in-1 Rice."<br>
<br>Depending on the degree and medical severity of VAD, its visible manifestations are categorized into four: night blindness, Bitot's spot, corneal ulceration and corneal scars. If left untreated, corneal ulceration and corneal scars may lead to permanent blindness. VAD also weakens the immune system, thereby exacerbating infections like HIV-AIDS (human immunodeficiency virus-acquired immunodeficiency syndrome), diarrhea, and measles.<br>
<br>The research team, led by the economist Dr. Leonardo A. Gonzales of Sikap / Strive Foundation, said: "All these VAD-related diseases, in turn, translate into increased health care costs and economic losses accruing years foregone and loss of potential productivity. But more than the economic costs, the VAD problem deprives those [affected] individuals … of the basic right to an adequately healthy and active life."<br>
<br>In the Philippines, VAD is considered a major health problem. A survey by the Food and Nutrition Research Council in 2003 showed that 71 percent of total households in the country did not meet their recommended vitamin A (retinol equivalent) nutrients. Four out of every 10 Filipino children (6 months to 5 years old) suffer from VAD. This is not surprising since 2 of every 10 pregnant and lactating Filipino mothers suffer from VAD.<br>
<br><strong><em>Added Disease Resistance</em></strong><br>Resistance to rice tungro disease and bacterial leaf blight are being incorporated into the 3-in-1 rice because these devastating diseases recurrently plague the country.<br>
<br>Tungro rice disease is the most damaging viral disease of rice in the Philippines, particularly in the major rice growing areas like Isabela, Nueva Ecija, Camarines Sur, Albay, Bohol and North Cotabato. This disease is transmitted by the green leafhopper from diseased to healthy plants.<br>
<br>Former PhilRice Executive Director Dr. Leoacadio S. Sebastian said there is no chemical control against rice tungro disease. Aside from being costly, the disease can still occur even if the green leafhopper population is low.<br>
<br>Losses from rice tungro disease could be staggering. In Davao del Norte alone, crop losses in 1993 amounted to Php 10.6 million. Dr. Xuan Hoai Truong of PhilRice estimated in 1999 that crop losses from rice tungro disease could vary from 39 percent to 65 percent.<br>
<br>On the other hand, bacterial leaf blight occurs in the many provinces with irrigated lowlands where farmers plant susceptible varieties like IR64. These provinces include Ilocos Norte, Cagayan, Ifugao, Isabela, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, and Bulacan.<br>
<br>Bacterial leaf blight is more prevalent and destructive during the wet season. It causes poor development and low grain quality as it increases the number of underdeveloped grains and reduces weight, resulting in poor maturation and a high proportion of broken grains. Experts said that the earlier bacterial leaf blight appear, the greater damage it causes.<br>
<br>Studies in the Philippines have reported losses if 10 percent to 60 percent from bacterial leaf blight. It was estimated that 8.1 percent of the total area planted to rice can be possibly affected by the bacterial leaf blight, and the resulting yield loss could mean about US$57.5 million of foregone production.<br>
<br>Experts have pointed out that the most effective and economical way preventing and managing bacterial leaf blight could be achieved primarily through the use of resistant varieties.<br><br>It is expected, therefore, that 3-in-1 rice will benefit both the farmers and consumers. For the farmers, it is expected that it will increase their profitability through reduced costs and higher yields. For the consumers, the new rice variety is expected to provide them with higher levels of micronutrients, thereby boosting the health of the rice-dependent population.<br>
<br><strong><em>Ex-Ante Results</em></strong><br>In their report, the research team said: "The benefits from the investments in research and development (R&D) and commercialization of 3-in-1 rice [will] outweigh the costs. It was estimated that R&D and commercialization would cost P 149 million in 2005 prices."<br>
<br>In the foreword of their report, Dr. Gonzales said: "Under the conservative scenario (very low adoption rate), the net present value (NPV) of the project amounts to Php 309 million, and it has an internal rate of return (IRR) of 41 percent. The optimistic scenario predicts that the project will generate an NPV of Php 1.22 billion with an IRR of 63 percent. Aside from this, the project could generate health impacts similar to the projected impact of Golden Rice in the Philippines, which is US$16-88 million."<br>
<br>Dr. Gonzales said consumption of 3-in-1 rice would not lead to intoxification due to an overdose of vitamin A because it contains only the vitamin A precursor beta-carotene, which is utilized by the body only when it suffers VAD. Beta-carotene is not known to be toxic. Even if the intake is high, any excess is excreted or stored in the body as beta-carotene, then converted to vitamin A only when the body needs it.<br>
<br>"Simply put, there is no danger of vitamin A toxicity in 3-in-1 rice as there is no vitamin A in Golden Rice, only the non-toxic carotenoid precursors that enable the human body to make vitamin A," the report stated.<br>
<br>Moreover, the chances of outcrossing to nontransgenic rice are very low. Research at IRRI has shown that the chance of outcrossing from currently cultivated rice species is very low since these varieties are self-pollinating. Thus, people should not be afraid, since the rice pollen is viable for only 3-5 minutes.<br>
<br>Will farmers plant 3-in-1 rice? Two acceptability surveys were conducted to assess the perception and acceptability of genetically modified (GM) rice among farmers and consumers. In general, almost three out of five respondents or 58 percent are willing to plant / buy / sell GM rice. <br>
<br>Among farmer-respondents, however, 67 percent are willing to plant GM rice, while only 7.5 percent refused to plant and 23.8 percent are undecided. Among consumers, 53.6 percent are willing to buy and sell GM rice; only 10.4 percent refuse, while 35.8 percent are undecided.<br>
<br>The results also showed that 51 percent of the respondents are willing to pay price increases of 1 percent to 10 percent for vitamin A rice and pest-resistant GM rice. As the prices of GM rice increase to 11 percent to 30 percent, respondents' willingness to pay for GM products declines substantially at an average of 12 percent, then to 2 percent as prices of GM rice increase to greater than 50 percent.<br>
<br><strong>------------------------------------------------------------</strong><br></font><font size="2"><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><strong>CHINA<br>5-CHINESE PREMIER SAYS HE SUPPORTS DEVELOPING TRANSGENIC ENGINEERING</strong><br>
17-October-2008 </font></font><a href="http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2008-10/17/content_7117437.htm" target="_blank"><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif" color="#0000ff" size="2">China Daily</font></a><br><br><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif" size="2">BEIJING - Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao expressed his support for developing transgenic engineering, in a two-hour interview with Bruce Alberts, editor-in-chief of the Science Magazine of the United States on September 30.<br>
<br>In the exclusive interview at the Zhongnanhai leadership compound, Wen said his support of the transgenic engineering was further strengthened by the recent global food shortage.<br><br>When China didn't have the transgenic technology in cotton plants 10 years ago, the cotton bollworms would not die even when immersed in pesticides. Wen said," Since we began transgenic engineering of cotton, the plants not only increased their ability to resist bollworms but also increased yield."<br>
<br>"Therefore, I strongly advocate making great efforts to pursue transgenic engineering. The recent food shortages around the world have further strengthened my belief (in it)," said Wen.<br><br>Responding Alberts' words on some European states' objection to developing transgenic crops, Wen said if transgenic science was mixed with trade barriers," that would block the development of science". (Xinhua)<br>
<br><strong>------------------------------------------------------------</strong><br></font><font size="2"><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><strong>AFRICA<br>6-SWAZILAND: NATIONAL BIOSAFETY FRAMEWORK READY FOR PARTY APPROVAL</strong><br>
by Teetee Zwane<br>15-October-2008 </font></font><a href="http://www.agbios.com/main.php?action=ShowNewsItem&id=10113" target="_blank"><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif" color="#0000ff" size="2">The Swazi Observer via Agbios</font></a><br>
<br><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif" size="2">The ministry of tourism, environment and communications is lobbying parliament to adopt a National Biosafety framework that would enable farmers to try out new technology to address the country's food security and economic challenges.<br>
<br>As recommended by former Tourism, Environment and Communications Minister Thandi Shongwe, if approved and adopted by parliament, a National Biosafety law would help the country protect its rich biological diversity. <br>
<br>This, she said, would be through putting in place mechanisms for enabling the safe use and transboundary movement of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) that may have adverse effects on humans and the environment.<br>
<br>"The country needs to harness modern biotechnology to be able to meet the challenges of food security and poor agricultural production," she had recommended. "However, without a National Biosafety Framework, the technology cannot be harnessed within the country and our neighbours as well."<br>
<br>Shongwe pointed out that most Southern African Customs Union (SACU) countries had already domesticated the Cartagena Protocol on biosafety. She added that as trading partners, it was imperative that Swaziland be on an equal footing with the world and other SADC member states as the GMOs would soon be traded locally.<br>
<br>"There is support from Global Environment Facility and the secretariat of the protocol for capacity building and it is on condition that countries develop national frameworks for managing the transboundary movement of GMOs," motivated the former minister.<br>
<br>"National resources alone are not enough to build the country's capacity to harness and manage the new technology. The country needs to adopt the framework as local farmers are eager to try the technology, which promises to address the food security and economic challenges we face."<br>
<br>Meanwhile, Director of Policy Planning and Research Steven Zuke said Swaziland has great regards for the potential benefits of biotechnology in agriculture, environment management and human health.<br><br>He said the country needs a national biosafety law because biotechnology involves the use of biological organisms to produce useful products.<br>
<br>"Genetically modified crops promise to reduce the cost of production as it means less frequency of spraying or longer shelf life of agricultural produce," he said.<br><br>Zuke added, however, that this new technology comes with lots of fears and uncertainties as the adverse effects of such on the environment and human health has not been fully investigated.<br>
<br>He said there was fear, for instance, that the in-built toxin in such crops may kill non-target insects as well and that other traits like herbicide resistance may be conferred to wild relatives of species like cotton, which may turn them into super weeds that cannot be controlled in future.<br>
<br>The director added that some of the health concerns include the potential for developing antibiotic resistance in the gut of humans as the marker genes used in the technology were antibiotics.<br><br>He said common socio-economic and ethical issues for African countries include the fear of multi-national control of agriculture as these products were usually patented by these multi-nationals and had an element of restricting trade as well as dictating who should supply.<br>
<br>"It is for this reason that during the Earth Summit in 1992, safety of modern biotechnology was raised as an issue to be looked at seriously," noted Zuke.<br><br>"As a party to the protocol, Swaziland has an obligation to domesticate the international treaty by developing a national instrument that is in line with the protocol.<br>
<br>"Swaziland as a country that is rich in biodiversity has an obligation to regulate the introduction and development of GMOs so that crops and humans are protected from any possible adverse impacts."<br><br><strong>------------------------------------------------------------</strong><br>
</font><font size="2"><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><strong>GLOBAL<br>7-INTERNATIONAL FARMERS TO DISCUSS STRATEGY FOR INCREASING CROP YIELDS<br></strong>14-October-2008 </font></font><a href="http://www.truthabouttrade.org/content/view/12555/54/" target="_blank"><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif" color="#0000ff" size="2">Truth About Trade and Technology</font></a><br>
<br><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif" size="2">Des Moines, IA – Approximately 20 farmers from Asia, Europe, Africa, Australia, North and South America will gather in Des Moines Oct. 14-16 for the third annual Global Farmer-to-Farmer Roundtable. The Roundtable is organized by Truth about Trade and Technology (TATT), and will coincide with The World Food Prize Symposium that will be held Oct. 14-17, also in Des Moines.<br>
<br>While the symposium will take a more academic view of agriculture and global development in the next 50 years, the farmers at the Roundtable will discuss what they must do over the next 5-10 years to increase crop yields worldwide. <br>
<br>"There is one tool that farm operations worldwide can benefit from," says Dean Kleckner, the Iowa farmer who is chairman of TATT. "It is the technology that can be included in one seed. Technology that helps plants resist diseases, droughts, and rely less on nitrogen."<br>
<br>The farmers at the Roundtable will discuss the barriers they face in accessing that technology, and how they can work together to overcome those barriers. <br><br>The international farmers represent a variety of farm sizes and commodities. Each has used biotechnology to achieve personal goals in their farm operations, but they have faced trade and production barriers because of that choice. <br>
<br>Also at the Roundtable, the TATT board will present the 2008 Kleckner Trade & Technology Advancement Award. The award recognizes a farmer for "exemplary leadership, vision and resolve in advancing the rights of all farmers to choose the technology and tools that will improve the quality, quantity and availability of agricultural products around the world."<br>
<br>Truth about Trade and Technology (<a href="http://www.TruthAboutTrade.org">www.TruthAboutTrade.org</a>) is committed to promoting free trade and agricultural biotechnology through farmer-led educational initiatives that target public officials, opinion leaders, and the agricultural community.<br>
<br>Participating Farmers in the Global Farmer-to-Farmer Roundtable<br><br>Argentina – Mr. Enrique Duhau (80k hectares; corn, soybeans, wheat, sunflower, cattle, dairy)<br><br>Australia – Mr. Jeff Bidstrup (5k hectares of cotton, wheat, sorghum, chickpeas)<br>
<br>Brazil – Mr. Sergio Luis Bortolozzo (25k hectares, soybeans, eucalyptus, sugarcane)<br><br>Canada – Ms. Cherilyn Jolly-Nagel (8500 acres diversified grains)<br><br>Colombia – Ms. Angela Maria Cabal Barona (60 hectares white corn)<br>
<br>Czech Republic – Mr. Stepan Cizek (8000 hectares; winter wheat, rape seed; barley; maize; sunflowers; mustard; sugar beet; dairy)<br><br>Germany – Mr. Oliver Ransmann (400 hectares of maize, rye, energy crops)<br><br>
Honduras – Mr. Roger Edgardo Padilla Ramirez (300 acres maize, sorghum)<br><br>Hungary – Mr. Csaba Machaty (25k hectares; livestock, corn, wheat, sunflower, rape seed, soybeans)<br><br>India – Mr. Mekala Velangan Reddy (27 acres; Bt cotton, chilies, maize, rice)<br>
<br>Ireland – Mr. Jim McCarthy (1800 acres wheat, barely, rape seed in Ireland; US dairy production; 30k acres crop in Argentina)<br><br>Italy – Mr. Giuseppe Elias (600 hectares; corn, wheat, dairy)<br><br>Kenya – Mr. Alfred Mwangi Nderitu (20 acres; banana, basmati rice, mango, dairy, various – tomato, beans, pepper, onion, watermelon)<br>
<br>Mexico – Mr. Rubén Chávez (Mainly Yellow corn; president Chihuahua growers association)<br><br>Portugal – Ms. Maria Gabriela Cruz (Sugar beets; various)<br><br>Romania – Mr. Valentin Petrosu (500 hectares; cereals, oilseeds; vegetables; seeds)<br>
<br>Spain – Mr. José Luis Romeo Martín (400 hectares; sorghum, sunflowers, wheat, barley, alfalfa, beans, corn; grapevines and winery)<br><br>Uganda – Mr. Bruno B. Matovu (400 acres maize, hogs, cattle)<br><br>US, North Dakota – Mr. Al Skogen (Rotate wheat, soybeans, corn using minimum and no till practices)<br>
<br>US, Iowa – Mr. Bill Horan (Corn, soybeans, specialty crops).<br></font><br><a class="footer"><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif" color="#333333" size="1">----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br>
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<a class="events_details"><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif" size="1">Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines<br>26 - 30 October 2008</font></a><br><br><a class="events" href="http://www.ilsiacfns2008.com/" target="_blank"><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif" color="#336600" size="1">5th Asian Conference on Food and Nutrition Safety</font></a><br>
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