Bad Seed - Danger of Genetically Modified Food
In the last thirty years global demand for food has doubled. In a race to feed the planet, scientists have discovered how to manipulate DNA, the ...
Genetically modified crops stir fresh debate
The quality of food in France is being discussed at this conference in the French Parliament: questions are being raised if food safety studies ...
Research on Food Quality Published by Investigators at University of Naples
Research on Food Quality Published by Investigators at University of Naples Food Quality
NewsRx.com
By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Life Science Weekly -- Research findings on Food Quality are discussed in a new report. According to news reporting originating in Naples, Italy, by NewsRx journalists, research stated, "This article reports the experience of a university laboratory in accreditation of molecular biology methods for genetically modified (GM) organisms detection according to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO)/International Electrotechnical Commission 17025 standard. Verification studies were performed for one screening (35S promoter), one construct-specific (p35S/Chloroplast Transit Peptides-5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase [CTP-EPSPS]) and one event-specific (Bt11 maize) real-time polymerase chain reaction methods."
The news reporters obtained a quote from the research from the University of Naples, "Our procedures were performed as described in the ISO 21570 2005, except for the analysis done through a DNA Engine Opticon 2 MJ research instrument. The following methodperformance characteristics were evaluated: amplification efficiency, linearity, dynamic range, limit of detection, limit of quantification, precision and trueness. Comparison of the performance results obtained for quantitative methods with the values of inter-laboratory ring trials, coordinated by the European Union Reference Laboratory for GM Food and Feed, confirmed that the laboratory is able to fulfill the published criteria. Practical Applications This article illustrates the experience of a university laboratory with the International Organization for Standardization/International Electrotechnical Commission 17025 accreditation for genetically modified organisms testing. In-house verification has been carried out for one screening (35S promoter), one construct-specific (p35S/Chloroplast Transit Peptides-5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase [CTP-EPSPS]) and one event-specific (Bt11 maize) real-time polymerase chain reaction methods. We reported for the first time validation data obtained through a DNA Engine Opticon 2 MJ Research instrument.
Nigeria must press ahead with GM crops | AfricanBrains
GM crops bring increased yields, higher incomes, greater resistance to diseases and pests, improved varieties and environmental benefits — and they can improve the quality of life for resource-poor farmers in developing countries.
In 1996, when GM crops were first commercialised officially, six countries planted a total of 1.7 million hectares of these crops. By 2010 this had grown to 148 million hectares in 29 countries, of which 19 are from the developing world.
This 87-fold growth makes GM the fastest crop technology to be adopted in the history of modern agriculture.
Yet only a few African countries, including Burkina Faso, Egypt and South Africa, have functional biosafety laws — a major requirement before farmers can grow GM crops commercially.
Kenya is on the verge of growing GM crops commercially after enacting a biosafety law in 2009 and recently refining its biosafety regulations. But why is Nigeria, the most populous country, absent from the group of nations adopting the technology?...
Take me to the world » Genetically Modified Food Town Hall ...
About 14 concerned governors, scientists and farmers from across Canada debated the development genetically modified food Thursday afternoon at a town hall meeting organized by UBC EOSC department. Though the crowd gathered at UBC farm was small, the concerns raised were varied, ranging from worries about the health effects on human beings and the mass starvation faced by us when the GMO is abandoned.
GMOs are said to be the answer to world overpopulation and over-consumption. Nowadays, the population growth has exceeded the food that can be produced by earth. The change of DNA sequences of crops can efficiently increase the yield and quality of them. Genetically modified foods satisfy our increasing consumption to some extent. Without this biotechnology, mass starvation would likely become a reality. Moreover, crops can be genetically modified to resist diseases and further increases the yield.
The con side of the panel, however, has different opinion on GMOs. With all the benefits of genetically modified food, some uncertainties and risks cannot be neglected. The biotechnology is quite complicated that it is not well understand by the society and its long term effects on human body remains a mystery. GMOs has already been blamed for some unexpected short term health effects.
...GM Food quality News
'Firms mislabel food products on trans-fat'
This very quality of trans-fat makes it bad for the human body — clogging arteries and increasing the probability of a heart attack. Though a person consuming 2.1 gm to 2.6 gm of trans-fat everyday is safe, the CSE claimed that certain combinations of ...
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Is GM food a risk or relief for LDCs? The non-profit claims that economic incentives are the driving force behind the growing use of genetically modified (GM) crops in developing countries. Organizations such as Greenpeace, though, are unconvinced of the success of GM crops.... |
`Biotech solution to meet rising population needs`
The event was organised to launch a report prepared by the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-Biotech Applications on the global status of commercialised biotech/ genetically modified crops at the Latif Ebrahim Jamal National Science ...
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GM foods are becoming more appealing as health benefits become clearer By Madeleine Brindley, Health Editor Public attitudes towards GM foods are changing as the controversial technology could provide a sustainable source of health-giving nutrients, experts have claimed. Genetically-modified grains are being developed, ... |
Food activism may come at a cost
(AP Photo/Beef Products Inc.) Craig Letch, director of food quality and assurance for Beef Products Inc. (BPI), left, introduces the beef product known as pink slime or lean finely textured beef, and the cuts from which it is made to from left: Kansas ...
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