Biotechnology in the News 2007

December 18, 2007 - APHIS issued a supplemental administrative order which clarifies and replaces the July 12, 2007 Administrative Order. The revised order specifies mandatory practices that must be implemented by Roundup Ready alfalfa producers. The supplemental order allows commingling of Roundup Ready hay and other hays on farms, but the order prohibits businesses or producers to sell the hay mixed with non-genetically modified hay, unless it is clearly identified as containing Roundup Ready alfalfa. In addition, the order requires vehicles transporting genetically modified hay to carry extensive documentation information, including the Roundup Ready alfalfa designation; the name, signature and addresses of both buyers and sellers; the hauler's name; a hay lot number; unit count; weight, scale and ticket number; and shipment date.

ST. LOUIS, Nov. 4, 2007 - /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Scientists at Monsanto Company working in collaboration with Devgen NV, have identified an innovative and precise approach to protect crops against insects, which models a novel application of a Nobel Prize winning discovery. The technology is expected to provide farmers with a new in-the-seed option to protect crop yields and present another tool to support agriculture's mission of meeting the world's growing food, feed and fuel demands. The results of the companies' research were published in the November edition of the peer-reviewed scientific journal Nature Biotechnology. See the article: Control of coleopteran insect pests through RNA interference: Commercial biotechnology solutions for controlling lepidopteran and coleopteran insect pests on crops depend on the expression of Bacillus thuringiensis insecticidal proteins1, 2, most of which permeabilize the membranes of gut epithelial cells of susceptible insects3. However, insect control strategies involving a different mode of action would be valuable for managing the emergence of insect resistance. Toward this end, we demonstrate that ingestion of double-stranded (ds)RNAs supplied in an artificial diet triggers RNA interference in several coleopteran species, most notably the western corn rootworm (WCR) Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte. This may result in larval stunting and mortality. Transgenic corn plants engineered to express WCR dsRNAs show a significant reduction in WCR feeding damage in a growth chamber assay, suggesting that the RNAi pathway can be exploited to control insect pests via in plant expression of a dsRNA.

Nature Biotechnology -- Nov. 4, 2007. -- Chinese scientists identifed a cytochrome P450 gene (CYP6AE14) from cotton bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera), which permits this herbivore to tolerate otherwise inhibitory concentrations of the cotton metabolite, gossypol. CYP6AE14 is highly expressed in the midgut and its expression correlates with larval growth when gossypol is included in the diet. When larvae are fed plant material expressing double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) specific to CYP6AE14, levels of this transcript in the midgut decrease and larval growth is retarded. Both effects are more dramatic in the presence of gossypol. As a glutathione-S-transferase gene (GST1) is silenced in GST1 dsRNA–expressing plants, feeding insects plant material expressing dsRNA may be a general strategy to trigger RNA interference and could find applications in entomological research and field control of insect pests.

Monsanto's Stacked Trait Corn Technology Receives European Regulatory Approval

Oct. 25, 2007 - A full regulatory approval for food and feed use was given by the European Union for Monsanto's YieldGard® Corn Borer (MON810), stacked with the Roundup Ready® Corn 2 (NK603) trait, which was previously given an initial approval only for feed use in 2005. This means that this hybrid has now achieved the same regulatory import status as single trait corn products such as Roundup Ready Corn 2 and YieldGard Rootworm, as well as Monsanto's Roundup Ready soybeans. The stacked trait has been used in farms across the U.S. and has provided farmers with a secure yield using minimal weed and insect management strategies.

Scientists from the Kenyan Agricultural Research Institute (KARI) and the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) have developed maize varieties resistant to the large grain borer. The new maize varieties will be nominated by KARI maize breeders to the Kenya national maize performance trials run by the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Services (KEPHIS). They will also be distributed for evaluation by interested parties in other countries in 2008 through the CIMMYT international maize testing program. Marianne Banziger, the director of CIMMYT's Global Maize Program, said that the use of the new varieties will be more advantageous to farmers since the resistance is in the seed itself. There will be no added workload or expense to farmers, and no longstanding practices or habits to change. For more information contact Stephen Mugo at s.mugo@cgiar.org

EU Approved Three More Corn Biotechnology Traits for Food, Feed Use

Oct. 25, 2007 - The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) was extremely pleased for the European Union's approval of three Biotech corn traits for food and feed use. Hybrids containing the Herculex RW and two stacked traits, YieldGard Plus with Roundup Ready 2 and Herculex I with Roundup Ready 2, can now be exported to the 27 countries of the European Union (EU). "These corn traits have already been approved in the U.S., Japan and other major markets. Now with EU approval, growers will have greater market access for their grain, and processors and ethanol plants can continue to export Corn Gluten Feed and Distillers Dried Grains. "said Martin Barbre, chairman of the NCGA's Biotechnology Working Group and a corn grower from Carmi, Ill. This approval increased the number of traits approved for Europe import to 15.

Dow, Monsanto to launch new corn seed

IndyStar - September 14, 2007 - Indianapolis-based Dow AgroSciences is teaming up with biotech giant Monsanto Co. to to launch a new generation of genetically modified corn seed that combines eight different herbicide tolerance and insect-protection genes in an effort to protect corn crop better than existing technologies.

The two companies said today they have reach a cross-licensing agreement aimed at launching the technology, called SmartStax, by the end of the decade. It is designed to provide protection in weed control, and above- and below-earth insect control by combining numerous existing technologies from both companies.

Maine becomes last state to allow genetically altered corn -- July 28, 2007 -- WATERVILLE, Maine --Maine is joining the rest of the country in allowing farmers to grow a type of genetically altered corn.

Court Amends May 2007 Judgment on RR Alfalfa (7/23/07)

On May 3, 2007 the United States District Court for the Northern District of California banned the continual planting of the Roundup Ready Alfalfa (RRA) unless the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) made an environmental impact statement. In July, the Court granted USDA and Monsanto's motion to amend the May 2007 judgment. The following amendments are as follows:

Handling, identification, and containment standards for Roundup Ready Alfalfa shall not be applied to RRA hay, unless that hay leaves its farm of origin;
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) shall publish and distribute a best practices guide for the cleaning of equipment used to produce RRA hay and seed;
Monsanto and Forage Genetics must provide APHIS with the RRA field location information described therein; and
APHIS should disclose RRA location information on its website "as soon as practicable."

APHIS recently announced that alfalfa growers can now obtain information on RRA field locations through a new toll-free number. The hotline may be used by conventional or organic alfalfa farmers and prospective alfalfa farmers to inquire about the proximity of their farms to RRA fields.

For more information, visit http://www.aphis.usda.gov/brs/pdf/Alfalfa_Amended_Order_20070723.pdf and http://www.aphis.usda.gov/publications/biotechnology/content/printable_version/pa_contactinfo_re_alfalfa.pdf

Europe set to lift ban on GM crops -July 2, 2007- The European commission is about to give the go-ahead to the first commercially grown genetically modified crops since a public outcry nine years ago halted their cultivation, writes Jonathan Leake.

Monsanto Company Completes Divestiture of Stoneville and NexGen Businesses, Begins Combining Delta and Pine Land Business ST. LOUIS, June 19, 2007.

GM Tomato Tastes Better -News June 25, 2007 -Taste testers prefer tomatoes that carry a flavor-enhancing gene

Getting the bugs out of GM crops -June 7, 2007-Are crops genetically altered to resist insects really better for the environment? In 1985 scientists inserted genetic information into tobacco plants that enabled them to produce a crystal that was toxic to butterflies, moths and other insect pests. Derived from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis, the Bt toxin has since been engineered into crops from corn to cotton, because it is lethal to pests yet seemingly harmless to other insects and animals, including people. Now a new review of 42 field experiments indicates that fields planted with Bt crops have more insects and other critters than those treated with broad-spectrum insecticides. But it also exposes holes in the available research, such as the impact of genetically modified crops on neighboring ecosystems.

Agricultural Biotechnology and the Biosciences in Kansas - April 2, 2007 -- In this paper, Kansas State University reviews the scientific basis for discussions about the benefits and questions surrounding agricultural biotechnology. As a public institution, the university aims to provide accurate scientific information about biotechnology as it relates to public health, environmental protection and the state’s agricultural economy. The goal is to facilitate an informed discussion about agricultural biotechnology, leading to sound decisions on public policy and economic opportunities. As of February 2007, there were nearly 370 bioscience companies in Kansas. New bioscience facilities were built recently at the University of Kansas in Lawrence and Kansas City; at Kansas State University; and at Pittsburg State University. The state is aggressively pursuing an opportunity to land the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s proposed $451 million National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility in Manhattan or Leavenworth. The university’s goal in biotechnology research is to solve problems for farmers and add value for consumers. University research also aims to evaluate the benefits and risks of agricultural biotechnology, particularly those related to the health and safety of American food and fiber products.

March 12, 2007 -- Nematode worms are known to infect and kill insect pests with the help of a bacterium that thrives inside their intestine. It was only recently that researchers at the University of Warwick, together with their colleagues at Coventry and Nottingham Universities, discovered the mechanism of how the bacterium kills an unwitting victim with a protein. The protein, XptA1, binds specifically to a part of the gut of cabbage white butterfly caterpillar, a pest for many growers. The shape of the protein allows the protein to act as a receptacle for two other proteins, and this ensemble forms a poison “complex” that is 300 times more toxic to the caterpillars than XptA1 would be by itself. The researchers also discovered other variants of this family of toxic proteins that targeted other insects. This new family of naturally occurring proteins offers an alternative to current commercial protein-based insect toxins, according to Dr Sarah Lee from the University of Warwick.

March 12, 2007 -- Many farmers planning to use Roundup Ready alfalfa will be affected by a preliminary injunction, according to Monsanto Company. The preliminary injunction was issued in a lawsuit currently pending in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. The March 12 preliminary injunction order allows continued harvest, use and sale of Roundup Ready alfalfa, but placed limits on the purchase and planting of seed until further hearings are held. Growers who have already purchased Roundup Ready alfalfa as of March 12 have only until March 30 to plant. After the deadline, farmers must plant non-genetically engineered alfalfa. Sales of Roundup Ready alfalfa seed are prohibited after March 12 pending the court's decision on permanent injunctive relief.

GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn., January 25, 2007. Syngenta reported today that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has granted registration approval for its triple corn trait stack Agrisure™ CB/LL/RW. This approval also allows Syngenta to offer its quad corn trait stack Agrisure GT/CB/LL/RW. The new triple stack, with full availability for the 2007 planting season, combines the proven season-long corn borer protection and Liberty® herbicide tolerance of Agrisure CB/LL with the superior corn rootworm control of Agrisure RW, which received EPA approval in October, 2006.

Emerging Challenges for Biotech Specialty Crops

January 18-19, 2007 -- Biotech specialty crops face unique challenges, but there are opportunities to improve the regulatory system to help support this important sector of the U.S. agricultural economy, according to participants at workshop held in January 2007 and co-sponsored by the Pew Initiative on Food and Biotechnology and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).

ISAAA Brief No. 35-2006 - Dec 17, 2006 marked the first year of the second decade of commercialization of biotech crops, 2006-2015. In 2006, the global biotech crop area continued to soar as the 100 millionth hectare barrier (250 millionth acre) was breached, when for the first time more than 10 million farmers (10.3 million) in 22 countries planted 102 million hectares (equivalent to over 250 million acres) of biotech crops, up from 90 million hectares planted by 8.5 million farmers in 21 countries in 2005. This unprecedented high adoption rate is testimony to the trust and confidence of millions of small and large farmers in crop biotechnology in both industrial and developing countries. Over the last eleven years, 1996 to 2006, farmers have consistently increased their plantings of biotech crops by double-digit growth rates every single year since biotech crops were first commercialized in 1996.

Bollgard and Bollgard II cotton not to be used in 10 Texas Counties

Bt cotton varieties of cotton are not for commercial planting use in the following counters in the Texas panhandle, which historically are not cotton production counties: Dallam, Sherman, Hansford, Ochitree, Lipscomb, Hartley, Moore, Hutchinson, Roberts, and Carson. (To maintain the viability of Bt corn technology, the EPA established insect resistance management (IRM) rules for Bt corn several years ago. Generally in Texas (overall, a cotton-growing region) a 50/50 refuge was required for Bt corn because corn is an alternate host for Bt cotton pests. EPA granted an exception to the 50/50 refuge requirement in 10 Panhandle counties, however, provided no Bt cotton be planted in those counties.)


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BIOTECHNOLOGY IN THE NEWS FOR 2007

Monsanto's Stacked Trait Corn Technology Receives European Regulatory Approval

EU Approved Three More Corn Biotechnology Traits for Food, Feed Use

Dow, Monsanto to launch new corn seed