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Early crop domestication
12
News & Comment
TRENDS in Plant Science Vol.6 No.1 January 2001
question is StarLink corn, which is produced in the USA by Aventis CropScience (Lyon, France). Although the corn is permitted in animal feed in the USA, it has not yet been approved for human consumption in Japan because it contains a pesticide, Cry9C, which it is believed can cause allergic reactions if consumed. NC
GMAs: Genetically Modified Art
the Earth’s land surface, so although the impact on the UV-protective ozone layer might be local, it can potentially affect many people. NC Photograph courtesy of David Nance, USDA
An exhibit of genetically modified food was on display at the Royal College of Art in London during Creating Sparks, a UK festival, which explores the art of science and the science behind art. The interactive exhibition titled ‘InGENEious: the science and issues of genetic modification,’ illustrated recent developments in monitoring GM plants and explored the safety, regulatory and ethical issues behind plant biotechnology. For more information, contact www.creatingsparks.co.uk. TS
Early crop domestication
Vandals attack non-GM plants
Native Americans began crop cultivation nearly seven millennia ago, according to researchers from Temple University and the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama. The team found starch grains on stone tools excavated from a rock shelter in Panama. The grains came from domesticated root crops such as arrowroot (Maranta arundinacea) and manioc (Manihot esculenta), and maize, and they were nearly 7000 years old. Anthony Ranere, a co-author of the study says that this indicates that farming was taking place in the forests of tropical America earlier than most people think. Nature (2000) 407, 894–897. TS
Over the past year and a half, vandals made almost forty attacks against the biotechnology facilities in the USA. The attacks come at a time of heightened fear concerning GM foods. However, some of the attacks also indicate a heightened lack of awareness. In some of the reported vandalism, none of the destroyed plants was genetically modified. For example, in northeastern USA 3000 poplar trees fell victim in a single attack. None was genetically modified. A recent attack in California destroyed sorghum plants from a breeding programme designed to improve drought resistance. The grass roots anti-biotech movement is difficult to monitor and control, and misinformation is leading to the destruction of non-GM experimental plants. Niiler, E. (2000) The Boston Globe 26 September, p. D1. TS.
Jackson receives international prize A visionary plant scientist, Wes Jackson, is a recently announced recipient of the ‘Alternative Nobel Prize’ from the Swedish Parliament, awarded in December. Wes Jackson co-founded The Land Institute (Salina, KS, USA), which focuses on developing alternative cash-crop farming practices. The practices include developing perennial crop plants and growing multiple grains together, resulting in a farming system of ‘perennial polyculture.’ The approach mimics interactions found in native prairies. The advantages of this type of farming include ecological stability, decreased soil erosion, and reduced agrochemical pollution. Jackson says the farming method is still decades away from realization. For more information, contact The Land Institute (www.landinstitute.org) and The Right Livelihood Award (www.rightlivelihood.se). TS
All in a paddy over ozone depletion We are used to blaming Man for a lot of what is wrong with our planet. For example, global warming has been ascribed to such anthropogenic activities as burning fossil fuels and widespread deforestation, and depletion of the ozone layer to indiscriminate release of chemicals such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). However, work by a team at the University of California at Irvine (CA, USA) suggests that, in these particular instances, Man might not be the only culprit (http://www.eurekalert. org/releases/uci-uis103100.htm). The group, led by Ralph Cicerone, has discovered that growing paddy rice produces a small, but significant, amount of methyl halides, which contribute to atmospheric ozone depletion. Additionally, rice paddies also release methane, a notable ‘greenhouse gas’. Although commercial sources of these gases are being regulated, it is impossible to legislate against a growing crop. It is estimated that rice paddies occupy 1% of
Maize barrier of transgenes Jerry Kermicle (University of Wisconsin at Madison, USA) has identified a possible way to genetically isolate non-transgenic maize from transgenic populations of maize. Teosinte (Zea mays subsp. mexicana), a relative of maize, has a gene cluster that when bred into maize, creates a genetic barrier and stops gene flow in maize. The resulting maize–teosinte hybrid is genetically inaccessible and isolated from outside populations of maize. This technology could have repercussions on maize exports to countries concerned with transgenic contamination from predominantly American crops. Licensing terms of the technology will include a provision that genetically modifying technology be kept out of maize varieties with the teosinte barrier. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2000 /10/001012074556.htm TS
Tasmanian research facility A genetics laboratory will be set up at the University of Tasmania, Australia. The facility will give scientists in Tasmania the tools to conduct molecular genetic research. The university anticipates that the laboratory will have an economic impact in agriculture, forestry and ecology. Before, there was limited on-the-spot research in Tasmania, and samples had to be analysed elsewhere. AAP Newsfeed, Australia, November 2, 2000. TS
Nigel Chaffey [email protected] Trevor Stokes [email protected]
http://plants.trends.com 1360-1385/01/$ – see front matter © 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved. PII: S1360-1385(00)01833-1
News & Comment
TRENDS in Plant Science Vol.6 No.1 January 2001
question is StarLink corn, which is produced in the USA by Aventis CropScience (Lyon, France). Although the corn is permitted in animal feed in the USA, it has not yet been approved for human consumption in Japan because it contains a pesticide, Cry9C, which it is believed can cause allergic reactions if consumed. NC
GMAs: Genetically Modified Art
the Earth’s land surface, so although the impact on the UV-protective ozone layer might be local, it can potentially affect many people. NC Photograph courtesy of David Nance, USDA
An exhibit of genetically modified food was on display at the Royal College of Art in London during Creating Sparks, a UK festival, which explores the art of science and the science behind art. The interactive exhibition titled ‘InGENEious: the science and issues of genetic modification,’ illustrated recent developments in monitoring GM plants and explored the safety, regulatory and ethical issues behind plant biotechnology. For more information, contact www.creatingsparks.co.uk. TS
Early crop domestication
Vandals attack non-GM plants
Native Americans began crop cultivation nearly seven millennia ago, according to researchers from Temple University and the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama. The team found starch grains on stone tools excavated from a rock shelter in Panama. The grains came from domesticated root crops such as arrowroot (Maranta arundinacea) and manioc (Manihot esculenta), and maize, and they were nearly 7000 years old. Anthony Ranere, a co-author of the study says that this indicates that farming was taking place in the forests of tropical America earlier than most people think. Nature (2000) 407, 894–897. TS
Over the past year and a half, vandals made almost forty attacks against the biotechnology facilities in the USA. The attacks come at a time of heightened fear concerning GM foods. However, some of the attacks also indicate a heightened lack of awareness. In some of the reported vandalism, none of the destroyed plants was genetically modified. For example, in northeastern USA 3000 poplar trees fell victim in a single attack. None was genetically modified. A recent attack in California destroyed sorghum plants from a breeding programme designed to improve drought resistance. The grass roots anti-biotech movement is difficult to monitor and control, and misinformation is leading to the destruction of non-GM experimental plants. Niiler, E. (2000) The Boston Globe 26 September, p. D1. TS.
Jackson receives international prize A visionary plant scientist, Wes Jackson, is a recently announced recipient of the ‘Alternative Nobel Prize’ from the Swedish Parliament, awarded in December. Wes Jackson co-founded The Land Institute (Salina, KS, USA), which focuses on developing alternative cash-crop farming practices. The practices include developing perennial crop plants and growing multiple grains together, resulting in a farming system of ‘perennial polyculture.’ The approach mimics interactions found in native prairies. The advantages of this type of farming include ecological stability, decreased soil erosion, and reduced agrochemical pollution. Jackson says the farming method is still decades away from realization. For more information, contact The Land Institute (www.landinstitute.org) and The Right Livelihood Award (www.rightlivelihood.se). TS
All in a paddy over ozone depletion We are used to blaming Man for a lot of what is wrong with our planet. For example, global warming has been ascribed to such anthropogenic activities as burning fossil fuels and widespread deforestation, and depletion of the ozone layer to indiscriminate release of chemicals such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). However, work by a team at the University of California at Irvine (CA, USA) suggests that, in these particular instances, Man might not be the only culprit (http://www.eurekalert. org/releases/uci-uis103100.htm). The group, led by Ralph Cicerone, has discovered that growing paddy rice produces a small, but significant, amount of methyl halides, which contribute to atmospheric ozone depletion. Additionally, rice paddies also release methane, a notable ‘greenhouse gas’. Although commercial sources of these gases are being regulated, it is impossible to legislate against a growing crop. It is estimated that rice paddies occupy 1% of
Maize barrier of transgenes Jerry Kermicle (University of Wisconsin at Madison, USA) has identified a possible way to genetically isolate non-transgenic maize from transgenic populations of maize. Teosinte (Zea mays subsp. mexicana), a relative of maize, has a gene cluster that when bred into maize, creates a genetic barrier and stops gene flow in maize. The resulting maize–teosinte hybrid is genetically inaccessible and isolated from outside populations of maize. This technology could have repercussions on maize exports to countries concerned with transgenic contamination from predominantly American crops. Licensing terms of the technology will include a provision that genetically modifying technology be kept out of maize varieties with the teosinte barrier. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2000 /10/001012074556.htm TS
Tasmanian research facility A genetics laboratory will be set up at the University of Tasmania, Australia. The facility will give scientists in Tasmania the tools to conduct molecular genetic research. The university anticipates that the laboratory will have an economic impact in agriculture, forestry and ecology. Before, there was limited on-the-spot research in Tasmania, and samples had to be analysed elsewhere. AAP Newsfeed, Australia, November 2, 2000. TS
Nigel Chaffey [email protected] Trevor Stokes [email protected]
http://plants.trends.com 1360-1385/01/$ – see front matter © 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved. PII: S1360-1385(00)01833-1