Biotech News

High costs, back-breaking work and unpredictable yields compelled Rosalie Ellasus to give up on corn farming…. But Rosalie changed her mind after the Philippine government allowed companies to release biotechnology corn seed. Scientifically, such a material is known as a genetically modified organism (GMO) or transgenic organism. Transgenic corn has been genetically engineered to be…

These companies recently entered into an agreement to explore the potential for nutritional enrichment in the potato. Iden Biotechnology and the J.R. Simplot Company, companies involved in agricultural solutions through biotechnology, recently entered into an agreement to explore the potential for nutritional enrichment in the potato. As part of the agreement, Iden will identify promising…

Simplot Plant Sciences has been receiving approval for its Innate line of genetically modified potatoes in foreign markets. KETCHUM, Idaho — Simplot Plant Sciences has obtained approval for its Innate brand of genetically modified potatoes in several key foreign markets, including Japan, and has several other applications for foreign-market access pending. Company spokesman Doug Cole…

The USDA has determined that a camelina variety that’s gene-edited to increased oil content doesn’t fall under its regulatory jurisdiction. A variety of camelina that’s gene-edited to increase oil content can be grown without undergoing the USDA’s regulatory process for biotech crops. The agency has determined the camelina cultivar doesn’t pose a plant pest risk,…

With approximately 650,000–750,000 children worldwide dying from vitamin A deficiency, Professor James Dale from the Queensland University of Technology has been researching a way to enhance pro-vitamin A in bananas. With approximately 650,000–750,000 children worldwide dying from vitamin A deficiency, Professor James Dale from the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) has been researching a way…

It may seem like olden days to Millennials, but the late 1970s were a lot like today. America was divided due to an unpopular President, gas was expensive, the movie industry was at death’s door…and genetic engineering was a big concern. GMOs were a worry 40 years ago? Yes, though GMO insulin today is regarded as a…

Genome editing, has taken crop plant breeding to “an entirely new level,” says Dr. Adrianne Massey. But “a totally dysfunctional regulatory system” and activist opposition continue as barriers to progress. Although it has become the bogeyman of anti-agriculture activists, the reality is that genetic modification of crops and animals is not new, says Dr. Adrianne…

Health Canada conducted a comprehensive safety assessment and approved the use of Innate® second generation potatoes for food. Health Canada and Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) have completed the food, feed, and environmental safety assessments of the J.R. Simplot Company’s second generation of Innate® potatoes. The authorizations enable the potatoes to be imported, planted, and…

Two of the nation’s sugar companies will launch a $4 million online campaign this fall aimed at educating consumers about GMO crops and changing their perceptions of the technology. SUN VALLEY, Idaho — Genetically modified crops such as sugar beets and corn have been a godsend to the farmers who grow them, an Idaho farmer…