The basis of the EU Commission’s plan to deregulate new GM techniques (or new genomic techniques, NGTs) is “completely and utterly scientifically flawed,” molecular geneticist Michael Antoniou told watchdog organisation Corporate Europe Observatory in recorded video interviews. Now the interviews with Prof Antoniou have featured in coverage by the EU's political news magazine Politico (subscription only; no link). Politico reports: "According to Antoniou, who works for King’s College London, the gene-editing process 'not only is a completely artificial laboratory procedure but it’s also highly prone to unintended DNA damage'... Unintended DNA changes when trying to edit a genome can occur in many ways, the expert explained. These can cause many gene functions to change, which in turn can result in 'dramatic changes in the biochemistry and the composition of the plant,' such as new toxins or new allergens." The Politico piece concludes with Prof Antoniou warning that these unintended consequences pose a major risk to public health, and saying the Commission's proposal intentionally ignores the science because of a “strong industry". Politico, commenting on videos published by Corporate Europe Observatory

 

 

Proposed research trials on GMO "sterile" salmon are criticised in a report by the Norwegian Scientific Committee for Food and Environment (VKM). VKM considers releasing GMO salmon into sea cages "potentially high risk for wild Atlantic salmon populations". VKM says if escaped fertile GMO salmon spread sterility gene variants to future generations of wild salmon populations, this would have "a massive impact on wild Atlantic salmon", reducing the productivity of wild populations and the viability of already vulnerable populations. Nofima; GMWatch Twitter thread here

 

 

17 French soil ecologists say European agencies responsible for risk assessing glyphosate failed to take into account numerous scientific studies on its impact on earthworms, many highlighting negative effects. They say there's enough evidence to ban it. They say the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) only looked at two studies on the crucial issue of the impact of glyphosate on earthworms. And these were ultimately not considered in their report. Industry's mandatory tests are carried out on compost worms — known to be up to 4x less sensitive to pesticides than earthworms. The scientists say that while unrealistic industry studies show no harm, numerous more realistic independent studies show damaging effects on the DNA, growth, reproduction and behaviour of worms, specially earthworms. Effects that can occur after a single glyphosate application at the recommended dose. Le Monde (French text; GMWatch English language Twitter summary is here)

 

 

From potatoes to quinoa, many of our favourite foods are at risk from threats like climate change and disease. The "seed guardians" of Potato Park in the Andes are hoping to change that. Asociación Andes, a non-profit organisation in Cusco, Peru, is working to protect biodiversity and indigenous rights in the region. There are more than 1,300 varieties of potato to be found growing in the mountains of the Andes, with names like "puma’s paw" and "llama’s nose". Now these potato varieties are being tested by farmers with the aim of finding those that can best adapt to the challenges of climate change. Meanwhile in Iowa, USA, Seed Savers Exchange is a non-profit organisation dedicated to the preservation of heirloom seeds. The organisation uses a combination of ex situ conservation (long-term storage of seeds in their gene bank) and in situ conservation (sharing their seeds with gardeners and farmers to grow). All of their seeds are open-pollinated, which means growers can save seed year after year. As well as holding information on the cultural heritage of their heirloom seeds, Seed Savers Exchange is working with a network of 700 gardeners across the US to help it learn which varieties might best adapt to different environments. Executive director Mike Bollinger said, "There's so much built into a lot of these open-pollinated varieties already, it's a matter of being able to start growing these out and using the inherent genetics in them. You can navigate through that with the intelligence that is already built in... as opposed to trying to use technology to create something that doesn't exist." [GMW: This is a lesson that genetic engineers would do well to learn.] BBC

 

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