When left undisturbed, naturally-occurring vegetation tends to grow back year after year. In agriculture, this is also true of perennial crops such as olive trees, asparagus, many types of fruit, and grazing crops for animal consumption. However, agricultural grains, which make up over 70 percent of global croplands, are almost always annual crops that need to be replanted every year.
— Read on geneticliteracyproject.org/2023/02/21/grains-make-up-70-of-global-cropland-heres-how-perennial-grains-legumes-and-oilseeds-could-dramatically-improve-sustainable-farming/
French Academy of Agriculture’s Catherine Regnault-Roger challenges misinformation about crop genetics in her sweeping new book – Genetic Literacy Project
Let’s be frank: Rare are the scientists who have a sense of communication. Catherine Regnault Roger is part of this small group. A pharmacist from Paris 5, and a State Doctor of Natural Sciences from Pierre and Marie Curie University, she is now Emeritus University Professor (E2S UPPA) and a member of the Academy of Agriculture.
— Read on geneticliteracyproject.org/2023/02/20/french-academy-of-agricultures-catherine-regnault-roger-challenges-misinformation-about-crop-genetics-in-her-sweeping-new-book/
Gene editing poised to rescue banana production from plant disease sweeping through Central America – Genetic Literacy Project
There are more than a thousand types of bananas in the world. But one variety, the Cavendish, is ubiquitous in supermarkets and makes up the vast majority of the 10 billion bananas imported into the U.S. each year. It’s also at risk of disappearing.
— Read on geneticliteracyproject.org/2023/02/20/gene-editing-poised-to-rescue-banana-production-from-plant-disease-sweeping-through-central-america/
Gene-edited wheat ‘significantly lowers levels of cancer-linked acrylamide which forms when bread is baked or toasted’ – Genetic Literacy Project
A strain of gene-edited wheat that could be sold in Britain under a new law has been shown to lower significantly the risk of a cancer-linked compound when bread is baked and toasted.
— Read on geneticliteracyproject.org/2023/02/16/gene-edited-wheat-significantly-lowers-the-risk-of-cancer-linked-acrylamide-which-forms-when-bread-is-baked-or-toasted/
50+ scientists challenge Boston College, Florida International for hosting philosopher Vandana Shiva, disseminator of science disinformation on vaccines and crop biotechnology – Genetic Literacy Project
We are scholars and journalists of life sciences and social sciences from around the world who have published hundreds of scholarly papers and articles about agriculture, food, biomedicine, and related biotechnologies; some of us are science communicators and agronomists.
— Read on geneticliteracyproject.org/2023/02/02/50-scientists-challenge-boston-college-florida-international-for-hosting-philosopher-vandana-shiva-disseminator-of-ethically-questionable-science-disinformation-on-vaccines-and-crop-biotechnol/
Viewpoint: ‘One of the greatest human accomplishments’ — GM insect-resistant cowpea quintuples yields without pesticides – Genetic Literacy Project
African farmers, especially smallholders, will need to achieve much higher yields than they do today. Fulfilling this will require concerted efforts across all aspects of the food system, but advanced crop innovations can make an important contribution, especially as growing conditions are becoming more extreme and erratic as a result of climate change.
— Read on geneticliteracyproject.org/2023/02/06/viewpoint-one-of-the-greatest-human-accomplishments-gm-insect-resistant-cowpea-quintuples-yields-without-pesticides/
Podcast: Gene-edited mixed salad greens are coming in 2023, one of the first CRISPR foods to be released – Genetic Literacy Project
There was quite a bit of buzz when the idea of gene edited crops first became public. But what can this technology mean to agriculture? The idea of a precise way to turn genes on and off in plants opens the door to a wide range of innovations, but how long will it take to come to market? How about 2023?
— Read on geneticliteracyproject.org/2023/02/06/podcast-gene-edited-mixed-salad-greens-are-coming-in-2023-one-of-the-first-crispr-foods-to-be-released/
Does Organic Farming Really Benefit Your Food And Health?
The “Organic” badge is quite lucrative for businesses and corporations, so they are trying to monopolize that market by having lobbyists inside the certifying authorities who will then lobby the government officials staffing these bodies
Viewpoint: Concerned whether pesticides in the environment are safe? Listen to hands-on experts, not ideologues – Genetic Literacy Project
Few environmental issues are more controversial than the potential danger of pesticides used to tame weeds and disease in crops. Supporters of the discriminating use of pesticides, including many farmers, scientists, and regulators defend their use.
— Read on geneticliteracyproject.org/2023/02/07/viewpoint-concerned-whether-pesticides-in-the-environment-are-safe-listen-to-hands-on-experts-not-ideologues/
Social justice environmental activists move to block gene editing to control invasive species and promote biodiversity. Here’s why they’re misguided – Genetic Literacy Project
Hawaii has emerged as ground zero for efforts to raise the awareness of the dangers of invasive species. Just last month, biosecurity experts testified in the state legislature, forecasting more than $3 billion in costs associated with just four invasive species running wild: brown tree snake, miconia (a weedy tree), little fire ant and red imported fire ant. The estimated eradication costs for just these four invaders using today’s limited methods: $38 million.
— Read on geneticliteracyproject.org/2023/02/07/social-justice-environmental-activists-move-to-block-gene-editing-to-control-invasive-species-and-promote-biodiversity-heres-why-theyre-misguided/
plantlawyer 