Information Systems for Biotechnology
ISB News Report
February 2007

The entire news report is available at http://www.isb.vt.edu/news/2007/feb07.pdf

Biosafety in a globalized world
Hans Hoenicka

Introduced non-native plant species or new taxa resulting from traditional breeding have never been as important to the public opinion as Genetically Modified Plants (GMPs). Despite promising aspects of genetic transformation, this technology has been the subject of considerable controversy, with concerns raised mainly from ecological and ethical arguments. Biosafety has been often reduced to potential risks due to GMPs.

However, non-native plants and pathogens, taxa resulting from traditional breeding and also GMPs are important issues for the biosafety sector.

Complete article:
pdf: http://www.isb.vt.edu/news/2007/artspdf/feb0702.pdf
web: http://www.isb.vt.edu/news/2007/news07.feb.htm#feb0702

Genetic transformation of cereals mediated by agrobacterium: potential and problems
Ashok K. Shrawat

Owing to the predominant role of cereal crops in the human diet, food security in the future cannot be achieved without major increases in cereal production. Therefore, in recent years, genetic transformation of cereals has become an important tool for cultivar improvement with desirable traits. Despite tremendous successes in genetic transformation of cereal crops, one of the major technical challenges facing cereal transformation is the development of methods to produce a high proportion of plants routinely showing stable and precise transgene expression without collateral genetic damage.

Complete article:
pdf: http://www.isb.vt.edu/news/2007/artspdf/feb0703.pdf
web: http://www.isb.vt.edu/news/2007/news07.feb.htm#feb0703

Control of fruit flies and the pink bollword using genetically engineered sterile flies and worms

The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is seeking public comments by February 20, 2007, on its intent to prepare an environmental impact statement relative to the proposed use of genetically engineered fruit flies and pink bollworm in certain plant pest control programs. This notice identifies potential issues and alternatives that will be studied in the environmental impact statement and requests public comment to further delineate the scope of the issues and alternatives.

Complete article:
pdf: http://www.isb.vt.edu/news/2007/artspdf/feb0704.pdf
web: http://www.isb.vt.edu/news/2007/news07.feb.htm#feb0704