Public opposition to gene editing appears to be fading into the sunset, and not a moment too soon. There has been a lot of good news on this front lately. The European Union announced earlier this winter that it is willing to treat gene edited crops differently than those developed using genetic modification. It was […] Read more
Tag Archives gene editing — page 4
Opposition to gene edited crops ‘getting weaker’
Researcher says public is likely to accept gene editing technology because of its beneficial applications for public health
WINNIPEG — The amount of money and human resources directed at gene edited crops is staggering, says Kevin Folta, a University of Florida plant scientist. China, India and other nations are dumping billions into the technology in efforts to improve agricultural productivity and sustainability. “Colleagues of mine who are over there (China), their labs are […] Read more
EU loosens rules for new genomic techniques
A recent decision by the European Parliament could open opportunities for crop development and international trade
SASKATOON — A European Parliament decision earlier this month to adopt new rules for what it calls new genomic techniques is good news for agriculture and international trade, say industry and academic experts. “Science has been under a very dark cloud for a long time in Europe, and so now I think we’re seeing those […] Read more
Ag research potential praised, but danger lurks
Canada said to be developing innovative, investment-friendly climate, but gov’t remains under pressure from activists
WINNIPEG — Canada could be on the brink of becoming an agriculture research Mecca, or it could be on the verge of sliding into ag research paralysis. Both of those possibilities were discussed by Ottawa lobbyists at Keystone Agricultural Producers’ annual convention late last month. “We’re particularly excited about this,” said Andrea Faubert of Corteva […] Read more
Research explores plant breeding predictability
Study indicates that the role of background mutations demands greater reassessment when developing new varieties
For about 80,000 years, evolution has shaped cherry-sized tomatoes that first originated in Ecuador. Farming and crop breeding led to bigger, sweeter varieties as they spread in popularity and diversity of uses. Now, CRISPR gene editing can create new mutations with even greater improvements on desired traits. But none of these mutations, whether natural or […] Read more
Genomic crop research goes wild
While the vast majority of crops produced in Canada have been introduced from elsewhere, there is a lack of wild type relatives existing in nature for these crops. This is not the case in many other parts of the world where plants used for domesticated food production have wild types that bear genetic similarity. In […] Read more
‘Death by consultation’
It’s obvious to Scott Day that Canada has a reputation problem. At a digital ag conference in Winnipeg last month, Day went to the microphone to ask a question, although it was really a statement. “(Ag tech) companies are getting the impression that Canada is a very difficult place for the regulatory registration process,” said […] Read more
Regulatory status quo won’t work for gene editing: report
A new report urges the federal government to a take a different approach to regulating the next generation of pest control products. On Nov. 8, the Council of Canadian Academies (CCA) published a report called Regulating Gene Edited Organisms for Pest Control. The CCA said these new technologies, broadly described as gene editing, may require […] Read more
Canola yields reach new heights
A canola innovation that could result in dramatic yield gain is getting closer to reality. Next spring, University of Guelph scientists plan to conduct field trials in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and possibly Montana on lines of transgenic canola that have produced 50 percent more pods and 50 percent higher seed yield in a greenhouse. “In the […] Read more
Gov’t policy on ag technology worries producers
Farmers in Europe and Mexico say roadblocks for some forms of agricultural innovation stand in the way of sustainability
CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — Farmers from countries reluctant to approve new tools such as gene editing say they could use those technologies to meet demand, be profitable and ensure environmental sustainability. Several representatives, including organic farmers, said during a North American European Union farm leaders conference that innovation is critical. The pandemic, war in Ukraine and […] Read more
