Genetically engineering rice to have better salt tolerance could allow it to be grown in places it would otherwise fail, new research from the University of Sheffield has found.
Advocates arguing for greater transparency about the use of GMOs in food scored a minor victory this month after a district court told USDA to re-work the digital disclosure portions of the bioengineered food labeling law, which came into effect in January....
A California federal court has dismissed a high-profile lawsuit alleging Chipotle falsely advertised its food as non-GMO. And while it has given the plaintiff leave to amend her suit, it has made it clear she will have to come up with a stronger argument...
Pope Francis has weighed into the debate over GM crops, arguing that while he doesn’t believe there is any “conclusive proof that GM cereals are harmful to human beings”, he worries about their effects on the ecosystem, and argues that they have resulted...
EU member states have voted to allow national governments to ban or restrict cultivation of genetically modified (GM) crops even when approved at EU level, meaning the new rules will be written into law.
Genetic modification (GM) of wheat genes to ‘silence’ protein fractions toxic to those with celiac disease holds promise for cereal development, researchers say.
The struggle over GMO labeling will push the growth of certified organic products in the US in 2014, according to market research firm Organic Monitor. And at least one major discount grocery retailer is looking to cash in with the launch of a new organic...
What precedent might it set if firms are forced to label foods made using new technologies, even if the end product does not differ in any meaningful way from foods developed by ‘traditional’ methods?
A French study on the effects of Monsanto’s genetically modified (GM) maize in rats has said little about the safety or otherwise of GM crops – but it has said plenty about how the media can be used to push an agenda.
The German food safety agency has found serious flaws in the experimental data presented in a recent study linking Monsanto’s GM maize and herbicide Roundup to cancer.
Friends of the Earth and the French Government have called for ‘immediate action’ against genetically modified crops as finer details of the widely reported Monsanto GM study are scrutinized among experts.
Barely a week goes by without another food company being challenged in court over its use of the word ‘natural’ – and it’s just a matter of time before the claim loses its front-and-center on-pack appeal.
Western corn rootworms have been consuming genetically modified (GM) crops that have been developed to be resistant to them, raising questions about the longevity of some GM traits, according to a study in the online journal PloS One.
A federal appeals court in San Francisco has overturned a previous ruling to destroy genetically modified (GM) sugar beets, ruling in favor of Monsanto and the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has decided to fully deregulate alfalfa that has been genetically modified (GM) to be resistant to Monsanto’s Roundup-brand herbicide, the agency has said.
An appeals court has delayed the destruction of genetically modified (GM) sugar beet crops until December 23 to give the court time to decide whether they should be uprooted, as ordered by a recent ruling.
Monsanto has asked the US Supreme Court to end a ban on planting of genetically modified (GM) alfalfa that was instigated due to environmental impact concerns back in 2007.
Monsanto’s announcement of increased research into genetically modified wheat has been welcomed by major US wheat industry players, adding fuel to the ongoing debate about the crop’s commercialization.
Most Canadian wheat farmers are opposed to the introduction of genetically modified (GM) wheat unless market conditions change, according to a Canadian Wheat Board (CWB) survey.
Dow AgroSciences and World Wide Wheat (W3) have teamed up to develop new wheat traits for “advancements in productivity and quality” of crops, without using genetic modification (GM).
A group of organizations from the US, Canada and Australia has released a joint statement expressing their opposition to wheat industry plans to commercialize genetically modified (GM) wheat.
Over 70 companies have vowed not to use or sell genetically modified beet sugar by signing a registry set up by food safety, environmental and corporate watchdog organizations on Saturday.
The GM debate at times seems much like the Hokey Cokey (or Pokey, if you’re US-based). There’s been a lot of putting in, some putting out, and quite a lot of shaking things all about, but as of yet, there hasn’t really been a turnaround and definitely...
Genetically modified food companies should be paying particular attention to the results of next week’s presidential election as they could face tough times ahead, according to a Soil Association report.
Food industry voices are joining those of politicians in the GM debate, hailing the controversial technology as the answer to the food supply crisis. But the hearts and minds of consumers must still be won.
Genetically modified (GM) crops could help address spiralling prices, said UK ministers, sparking yet another European debate on their role in the global food arena.
The food industry is being asked to work with the European
Commission to implement testing measures for rice imports from
China to prevent unauthorised GM material entering the European
food system.
The unstable political situation surrounding the cultivation of
genetically modified (GM) crops is restricting university research
and pushing small companies out of the arena, thereby restricting
competition, said a GM expert.
New legislation passed in Germany on Friday has paved the way for
increased biotech innovation and easier cultivation of genetically
modified (GM) crops.
The German ruling coalition has agreed to allow foods containing
certain GM additives or using GM processing aids to still be
labelled as non-GM if there is no alternative, in a bid to
encourage use of non-GM labels.
Debate has been stirred in the UK over a future that could see GM
foods on supermarket shelves, as the government's outgoing chief
scientific advisor said he believes GM food to be safer than
convention food.
The European Commission will now make the final decision on whether
to allow three new GM maize's onto the EU market after agricultural
ministers failed to reach a majority vote in Brussels yesterday.
Australia can adopt commercialised genetically modified (GM) canola
production without compromising its organic agriculture, say new
findings from the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and
Resource Economics (ABARE).
Low fat ice-creams made using a GM yeast to form of small ice
crystals moved closer to set to be approved for the European
market, as the FSA published its draft opinion on Unilever
technology under novel foods regulation.
Genetically modified rice containing human genes has received
preliminary approval in the US, sparking new concerns and fears on
both sides of the Atlantic.
EFSA has met with the four member states currently involved in GM
environmental risk assessments in order to discuss the development
of an EU-wide approach.
New UK government proposals to allow up to 0.9 per cent GM in
organic food without it being labelled threatens a highly lucrative
industry, claim campaigners.
Food can polarise opinion more than most issues, but can we please
have some balance and debate, rather than mudslinging and crop
burning to get to the truth?
The current move towards harmonising global regulations on
genetically modified food is a good thing, though agreement on
labelling remains as far away as ever, an IFT conference heard this
week.
Poland's controversial ban on the use of 16 varieties of
genetically modified maize has been backed by the European
Commission, despite warnings the law broke EU rules.
Research to genetically modify peas to resist insect attack and
reduce the use of chemical sprays has been discontinued after the
failure of a stringent risk assessment.
NASA satellite technology could soon be used to help food producers
distinguish between GM (genetically modified) crops and non-GM
crops, opening the door to greater acceptance of GM food, writes
Anthony Fletcher.
Canada's failure to grant a key biotechnology expert a visa in
order for him to attend this week's Cartagena Biosafety Protocol
meeting has angered activists, writes Anthony Fletcher.
