ISB News Report, December 2014

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Publish time: 18th December, 2014      Source: ISB News Report - December 2014
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ISB News Report, December 2014ISB News Report, December 2014" title="Share this link on Facebook">ISB News Report - December 2014http://www.cnchemicals.com/ of ContentsRISK ASSESSMENTPrevalence and Impacts of Genetically Engineered Feedstuffs on Livestock Populations Alison Van Eenennaam and Amy YoungThe media has given extensive coverage to a handful of highly controversial studies that claim deleterious health effects in a small number of animals that have consumed GE feed. These studies, despite being widely criticized for experimental design and methodological flaws, in combination with anecdotal stories on the internet, have been used to suggest that there is a need to label milk, meat and eggs from animals that are fed GE crops. A recent review by Van Eenennaam and Young summarizes published animal feeding studies and commercial livestock productivity and health using data from publicly-available databases for a period before the introduction of GE crops and through 2011, a period with high levels of GE crops. Overall, the results did not reveal unfavorable or perturbed trends in the performance or health of livestock that consume GE feed.A Systematic Review of GM Crop Impacts Wilhelm Klumper and Matin QaimDespite the rapid adoption of genetically modified (GM) crops by farmers in many countries, public controversies about the risks and benefits continue. Numerous independent science academies and regulatory bodies have reviewed the evidence about risks, concluding that commercialized GM crops are safe for human consumption and the environment. There are also plenty of studies showing that GM crops cause benefits in terms of higher yields and cost savings in agricultural production. However, some argue that the evidence about impacts is mixed and that studies showing large benefits may have problems with the data and methods used. Uncertainty about GM crop impacts is one reason for the widespread public suspicion towards this technology. We have recently carried out a meta-analysis that may help to consolidate the evidence.PLANT RESEARCHUSDA Probes Serial Appearances of GE Wheat & Other Updates Phill JonesAn Oregon farmer noticed something strange during the spring of 2013: Some of his wheat plants tolerated the glyphosate that had been sprayed in the field. After USDA tests indicated that the GE wheat was Monsanto's MON71800, famers filed lawsuits against the company. While APHIS investigated the Oregon wheat, the agency was notified of another surprise appearance of GE wheat, this time in Montana. USDA scientists tested samples of the Montana volunteer wheat and confirmed that the plants are RoundupR-tolerant GE wheat. Testing also revealed that the Oregon GE wheat and the Montana GE wheat are genetically distinct. APHIS continues to investigate the source of the Montana GE wheat. The fallout for Monsanto lingers.China's Embargo of US Corn Generates Grist for Litigation MillThe October 2014 issue of the ISB News Report details early consequences from China's refusal of US corn imports last November. The embargo began after tests revealed that some cargoes of US corn included Syngenta's GE Agrisure VipteraR corn. Although Syngenta had secured regulatory approval from the United States and other countries, Syngenta's application for approval in China has languished in regulatory limbo. As the price of US corn fell, a debate arose about who must shoulder responsibility for the economic losses.November Elections Bring a Victory and a Defeat for Anti-GE Crop GroupsControversies over GE plants continue to crop up in Hawaii. In November 2013, the county of Kauai passed a law - later dubbed Ordinance 960 - to regulate the use of pesticides at test GE crop plots near residential communities. Syngenta Seeds, Inc. and other companies filed an action in Hawaii federal district court to prevent the county of Kauai from implementing Ordinance 960. Another anti-GE crop initiative appeared in Maui County's November 2014 election. On November 13, Monsanto, Agrigenetics, Inc., a local farming business, and other groups filed a lawsuit against the county of Maui in the US district court for the district of Hawaii. The plaintiffs are asking the court to enjoin and invalidate the county of Maui ordinance.More news from:. Virginia Tech. ISB News ReportWebsite: http://www.cnchemicals.com/: December 18, 2014The news item on this page is copyright by the organization where it originatedFair use notice