Today, the participants of the international research project GRACE (GMO Risk Assessment and Communication of Evidence) meet in Berlin. Future guidelines for the risk assessment of genetically engineered plants are the centre of this project, and its outcomes could have far-reaching consequences for approval procedure and risk research in the EU. A Testbiotech report published today shows significant conflicts of interest between leading GRACE experts and the biotech industry. Testbiotech is calling for the project to be stopped and an independent review carried out.
26 March 2013 Today the European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) published a positive opinion regarding the cultivation of genetically engineered maize 59122. Jointly marketed by the US seed and agrochemical companies, Pioneer and Dow AgroSciences, it produces two Bt toxins (Cry34Ab1 and Cry35Ab1) and is tolerant to pesticides containing glufosinate as the active ingredient. EFSA´s opinion doesn't include the use of glufosinate as maize 59122 will not be commercialised as a herbicide tolerant plant.
Environmental organisations and scientists jointly bring the case to the European Court of Justice
Thursday, 21 March 2013
Munich/ Luxembourg
The European Network of Scientists for Social and Environmental Responsibility (ENSSER), the Society for Ecological Research, the foundation Manfred-Hermsen-Stiftung for Nature Conservation and Environmental Protection, the Foundation on Future Farming, the non-profit organisation Sambucus and Testbiotech are challenging a decision made by the EU Commission to authorise a new genetically engineered Monsanto soybean at the European Court of Justice.
A broad coalition against another patent on chimpanzees
Thursday, 7 March 2013
Munich
Thirteen organisations from Germany, Switzerland and Great Britain are about to file a joint opposition against a patent on genetically engineered chimpanzees granted to the US company, Altor. Patent EP1409646 was granted by the European Patent Office (EPO) in June 2012. It allows chimpanzees to be manipulated to make their DNA similar to that of humans, and then used in pharmaceutical research. The joint opposition argues that this patent violates ethical provisions in patent law.
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