AgBioWorld Members Discuss “GMO 2.0,” RR Sugar Beets Lawsuit and IAAST
Wired Magazine Discusses “GMO 2.0”
Abstract: Wired Magazine posted an article on the addition of nutritional traits to consumer products, rather than traits that benefit farmers such as glyphosate resistance. The author coins the term “GMO 2.0” when describing the nutritional traits. Several members agreed that they should co-opt the use of this term in order to give a positive connotation to the usually negative acronym of GMO. One member suggested sending a letter to the editor of Wired, using golden rice as an example of GMO 2.0.
Sources: Wired Magazine
Opponents of RR Sugar Beets File Lawsuit Against USDA
Abstract: Members posted and discussed articles announcing a lawsuit filed against the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) challenging the approval of Monsanto’s Roundup Ready sugar beets. The lawsuit was filed by the Center for Food Safety, the Sierra Club and two organic seed groups and claims that RR sugar beets will lead to more glyphosate resistant weeds due to wind pollination. One member commented that he believed that “sugar beets were biennial, so cross-pollination would only be a potential issue for bolters and seed farms,” meaning not much of a risk at all.
Sources: Reuters
Capital Press
Members Applaud Decision by Biotechnology Companies to Pull Out of IAAST
Abstract: Nature published an article on the decision by Monsanto and Syngenta to pull out of the International Assessment of Agricultural Science and Technology (IAAST). The group is currently working on writing reports that “promise to map how science, technology and accumulated good-farming practice can be used to reduce hunger and improve quality of life for rural people in developing countries.” The two companies are speculated to have left because the reports did not place much emphasis on the positive aspects of biotechnology. One member applauded the decisions of Monsanto and Syngenta, saying that they made the right decision since the group does not believe biotechnology has much value.
Source: Nature
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C.S. Prakash
