Papaya genome project bears fruit

Strained economy makes genetically modified corn more palatable

Darkfrog submitted, created time 8 months 2 weeks (www.nytimes.com)

I've been saying it: Things affect each other in ways that we can't always predict. The global economy coupled with new interest in biofuels has made food prices skyrocket. The result? Soft drink companies in Asia are foregoing traditionally grown corn in favor of genetically modified corn.

Less pesticide, less herbicide, less expensive. Genetically modified corn deserves its shot!

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French uphold ban on genetically modified seed corn

Darkfrog submitted, created time 9 months 2 weeks (www.nytimes.com)

The top French court just upheld a ban on the use of genetically modified corn, a month after its inception. It had been challenged by farmers. This article does a good job of showing the clash between economic (and environmental) interests and organic and environmental interests. (Yes, I said "environmental" twice. One camp is pleased to use less pesticide and the other is worried about contamination.)

Genetically modified, or at least selectively bred, corn has been used in the U.S. for some time now

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Engineered crop plants: Trap or treasure?

Darkfrog submitted, created time 10 months 3 weeks (www.nytimes.com)

This article discusses the proliferation of genetically engineered crop plants in the international agricultural market, particularly in developing countries. The concern is that poor farmers will become beholden to the companies that own the patents on these particular strains, but I think the whole matter is fear-hyped. Genetically engineered crops tend to be hardier, more cost-effective and require less pesticide. That's a good thing all around.

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Genetically Modified Corn May Be Banned in Europe

New York Times examines east-west divide over stem cells and God

Darkfrog submitted, created time 1 year 1 month (www.nytimes.com)

I know we've got a few folks from China on this board and I'd love to know what you think of this one:

Now that the White House is going "Ha ha, we were right" with regards to the great accomplishment that was published in Cell and Science yesterday, I found this rather contemplative piece. A lot of western scientists are moving to Singapore and Seoul because there are fewer restrictions. The TierneyLab took a look at the religious ideas that make westerners more skittish of cloning, stem cell research and genetically modified plants and animals than people in other places

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Transgenic crops relatively kind to insects

Dolly submitted, created time 1 year 6 months (www.nature.com)

Study helps mollify one concern about pest-killing crops. Crops modified to produce insecticides against pests are relatively kind to other insects, an analysis of 42 field experiments suggests. Fields of transgenic cotton and corn contain more non-target insects than those of traditional crops sprayed with insecticides, the study shows. But both have fewer such insects than traditional fields that aren't sprayed at all.

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New study finds genetically engineered crops could play a role in sustainable agriculture

collapsar submitted, created time 1 year 6 months (www.eurekalert.org)

Genetically modified (GM) crops may contribute to increased productivity in sustainable agriculture, according to a groundbreaking study published in the June 8 issue of the journal Science. The study analyzes, for the first time, environmental impact data from field experiments all over the world, involving corn and cotton plants with a Bt gene inserted for its insecticidal properties. The study is accompanied by a searchable global database for agricultural and environmental scientists studying the effects of genetically engineered crops.

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