Biotechnology, GMOs in the News

Mark Lynas leaves anti-GM fold, converts to science
Mark Lynas is both an intellectual and a political activist. Earlier this month, he announced his conversion from foe to enthusiastic supporter of genetically modified crops.

• Read more from NPR.

• Read more from Mark Lynas

•  Watch the video "Mark Lynas from Oxford Farming Conference"

Anti Ag Biotech Report Misrepresents the Findings of a Scientific Paper, according to a European Food Safety Authority 
Media reports have claimed a paper published in the  journal GM Crops and Food: Biotechnology in Agriculture and the Food Chain had discovered a previously unknown viral gene in commercial GM crops that may present a hazard to human health.The EFSA responds that Gene VI does not represent a new discovery of a viral gene nor does the presence of the gene indicate safety concerns in previously evaluated GMOs.

• Independent Science News story, titled "Regulators Discover a Hidden Viral Gene in Commercial GMO Crops"  

• "Possible Consequences of the overlap between the CaMV 35S promoter regions in the plant transformation vectors used in the viral gene VI in transgenic plants"

• Information about the journal "GM Crops and Food: Biotechnology in Agriculture and the Food Chain"

• The EFSA "FAQ on inserted fragment of viral gene in GM plants" 

Anti Ag Biotech Activity in Mexico 
The National Union of Autonomous Regional Peasant Organizations (UNORCA) has issued "The Maize Manifesto: No to GMO Maiz" and has initiated a collective hunger strike held in front of the Angel of Independence monument in Mexico City.

• "The Maize Manifesto: No to GMO Maiz"

• UNORCA letter to the government and people of Mexico, titled "Mexico: Hunger strike against GM maize"

What are your thoughts on GMOs?