testbiotech

Bilder

EU Parliament votes against import approvals for transgenic plants

Soybeans and cotton from BASF not welcome

16 February 2022 / The EU parliament has voted against two resolutions for import approval of transgenic soybean (GMB151) and cotton (GHB614) produced by BASF. The plants are resistant to herbicides, such as glyphosate and isoxaflutole, soybean GMB151 also produces an insecticidal toxin. Reasons for rejection are, for example, the damage that cultivation of the plants can cause in countries like Brazil. The Parliament also criticises the insufficient risk assessment conducted by European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

Transgenic ornamental fish out of control in Brazil

Scientists worry about ecological balance

15 February 2022 / A recent study from Brazil shows that genetically engineered fluorescent ornamental fish (zebrafish, Dania rerio) have escaped from breeding facilities in large numbers and spread into regional river systems. The transgenic fish are sold in various countries as ornamental fish for aquariums under the trade name GloFish. The paper was published in the Studies on Neotropical Fauna and Environment journal, and was picked up in the current issue of Science, among others.

CRISPR/Cas in animals: Unintended changes and unexpected patterns of inheritance

Findings relevant for planned marketing of GE laying hens

10 February 2022 / In experiments with zebrafish, researchers have shown that unintended effects of CRISPR/Cas applications are inherited in subsequent generations. They also found unusual patterns of inheritance. According to the scientists, the findings show that the effects of CRISPR/Cas applications on subsequent generations need to be examined in much greater detail.

Corona: the origin of the virus is still an open question

Testbiotech is documenting the discussion

8 February 2022 / Testbiotech is providing an overview of the continuing discussion on the origin of SARS-CoV-2. The origin of the virus is still not known. Many experts suggest there was direct transmission from wildlife species to humans, but escape from a laboratory also remains a plausible scenario.

Regardless of which theory is correct, finding the origin of the virus is fundamentally important, as both safety in laboratories and the disruption of the wildlife ecosystems are principally human activities, which need to be much more carefully monitored resp. restricted.