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BIOTECHNOLOGY IN THE NEWS FOR 2008

Scientist Says Worm Has Evolved to Eat Killer Crop

February 12, 2008 · Evolution may be more powerful than genetic engineering. A type of insect has developed the ability to survive while feeding on corn or cotton that's been genetically engineered to poison it, says scientist Bruce Tabashnik of the University of Arizona.

First evidence emerges of pest resistance to GM crops:

Feb 8, 2008

PARIS (AFP) — Scientists poring over a mass of studies into the response of pests to genetically-modified cotton say they have found the first confirmation that insects have developed resistance to transgenic crops. University of Arizona entomologists looked at data from six experiments to monitor pests in fields sown with transgenic cotton and corn in Australia, China, Spain and the United States. They found evidence of genetic mutation among bollworms (Helicoverpa zea) in a dozen cotton fields sown in Mississippi and Arkansas between 2003 and 2006.

Global Biotech Crop Area Increased by 12% in 2007

In 2007, biotech crop area grew 12 percent or 12.3 million hectares to reach 114.3 million hectares, the second highest area increase in the past five years. Two million more farmers planted biotech crops which now total 12 million farmers globally benefiting from the technology. Nine out of ten, or 11 million of them were resource-poor farmers, exceeding the 10-million milestone for the first time. These were highlights of a report presented by Dr. Clive James, chair and founder of the the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications(ISAAA).

Overcoming Aphids Through Gene Silencing

Scientists from Kansas State University are one step closer to discovering the mechanism of insect resistance to some pesticides. The scientists reported that by silencing a gene highly expressed in the pea aphid salivary glands, the insect's lifespan was cut by more than 50 percent. Proteins present in insects' saliva have been known to play roles in conferring pesticide resistance. Entomology professor and main author, John Reese, said that the findings could lead to new ways in controlling insects in important crops like wheat, alfalfa, soybeans, corn and sorghum. "If we can figure out how to get a plant to prevent the functioning of an insect pest's gene, we can turn that plant into a non-host for that pest," Reese said.

BIOTECHNOLOGY IN THE NEWS FOR 2007

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BIOTECHNOLOGY IN THE NEWS FOR 2005

BIOTECHNOLOGY IN THE NEWS FOR 2004

BIOTECHNOLOGY IN THE NEWS FOR 2003

BIOTECHNOLOGY IN THE NEWS FOR 2002

BIOTECHNOLOGY IN THE NEWS FOR 2001

BIOTECHNOLOGY IN THE NEWS FOR 2000

BIOTECHNOLOGY IN THE NEWS FOR 1999