Genetic engineering Archives - Page 4 of 17

But just what does GMO free mean, exactly?

Genetically modified, engineered or just edited?

The result can be the same without the addition  of a gene from elsewhere

By Manitoba Co-operator Staff March 19, 2015

Just what is a genetically modified organism? Japanese scientists writing in a recent issue of the journal Trends in Plant Science say the answer is not so clear, and call for action to clarify the social issues associated with genetically engineered crops. “Modern genome-editing technology has allowed for far more efficient gene modification, potentially impacting

Crops, International news

The dark side of agriculture in Hawaii

GM variety has helped protect papaya against a deadly virus, but some growers have found their crop vandalized

By Karen Daynard March 2, 2015

Hawaii — the name conjures up thoughts of beautiful beaches, waterfalls, fresh exotic fruits, flowers. However, there is a much darker side that most tourists are unaware of — an atmosphere of distrust, vandalism, legal wars, massive security, heartbreak and so much more. All of this due to genetically modified (GM) crops. With a 12-month

Crops, News

Dispelling common misconceptions about herbicide-resistant superweeds

Herbicide resistance is a major problem, but it is not necessarily a result of gene transfer from genetically modified crops

By Weed Science Society Of America October 28, 2014

Use of the term “superweed” has exploded in recent years and is frequently featured in news reports about herbicide-resistant weeds choking out crops. While there is no science-based definition for superweed, the term is often used to describe weeds believed to have special capabilities that are helping them outcompete other plants in ways never experienced

The Mediterranean fruit fly damages 300 types of cultivated and wild fruits, vegetables and nuts worldwide. Photo: USDA

Did you know?

Population control — just let the males take over

Unlike sterilized males, GM versions are good  performers but run out of females

By Manitoba Co-operator Staff August 21, 2014

Scientists at the University of East Anglia and Oxitec Ltd. in the U.K. say they have a new way to control a damaging crop pest — release males genetically engineered to father only male offspring. The scientists conducted greenhouse research with the Mediterranean fruit fly, which damages 300 types of cultivated and wild fruits, vegetables

Howard Buffett is interviewed by Charlene Finck during the sixth World Congress on Conservation Agriculture held in Winnipeg. Photo: Shannon VanRaes

News

Biotech has role in conservation

No need to be technology averse when it comes to conservation agriculture and improving soil health

By Shannon VanRaes July 4, 2014

Biotechnology can be used to improve soil health but that’s not necessarily happening the way it is being used today, the keynote speaker at the World Congress on Conservation Agriculture said. David Montgomery, author of Dirt, The Erosion of Civilizations and a professor of geomorphology at the University of Washington told the conference biotechnology does

Dennis Stephens, secretary of the International Grain Trade Coalition, says grain trading is at risk so long as importers don’t have a policy allowing a low-level presence of unapproved GM crop traits. photo: allan dawson

Crops, Oilseeds

Canada leads efforts to convince importers to dump zero tolerance

By Allan Dawson November 27, 2013

Canada is leading efforts to get an international agreement that would see countries accept small amounts of unapproved genetically modified (GM) crops in their imports, says Dennis Stephens. And the Oakbank-based secretary of the International Grain Trade Coalition credits Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz for leading the charge. Ritz, along with Canada’s flax industry, experienced first

News, Oilseeds

Chinese state media kick into high gear to ease GMO food fears

By Niu Shuping November 20, 2013

China’s state media are working overtime to persuade the public that genetically modified food is safe, apparently softening up the population for a policy switch to allow the sale of such food to ensure its 1.35 billion people have enough to eat. In the past 30 years, China’s urban population has jumped to about 700

A corn farmer holds corncobs during a protest in Mexico City January 2013. Farmers protested against the growing of transgenic or genetically modified corn, as it is one of the primary food staples of Mexico and Central America.  Photo: REUTERS/Bernardo Montoya

Crops

Past and future collide as Mexico fights over GMO corn

By David Alire Garcia November 20, 2013

After pioneering the cultivation of corn thousands of years ago, Mexico must overcome the weight of history to give the go-ahead to allow genetically modified strains into its fields. Religion, culture and science are competing for primacy in the debate on how acceptable corn produced by genetically modified organisms (GMOs) is in a country where

Crops

After Washington GMO label battle, both sides eye national fight

By Carey Gillam, Reuters November 14, 2013

Both sides of the costly and high-stakes GMO labelling battle in Washington state say they see an even bigger national fight ahead despite the apparent defeat of the mandatory labelling measure by Washington state voters this week. The measure died 47.05 per cent to 52.95 per cent, according to results updated Nov. 7 night by

Oilseeds, Opinion

One tool for a complex problem

By Laura Rance-Unger July 11, 2013

History is full of examples of heated, ideological and rhetorical public debates that somehow miss the point. The controversy over genetically modified crops is such a case. The debate has generally fallen into two camps — the “Frankenfood” phenomenon, the question of whether we should be meddling with nature’s processes for genetic evolution and “feeding

Daily Network News

U.S. livestock: Cattle, hog futures rise on first WASDE since September

U.S. export sales include only small soybean business to China

U.S. corn and soybean yields revised down by USDA

Tag Archives Genetic engineering