Monthly Archives: September 2008

Genetic Engineering Promises to Improve Medicine, Food and the Environment

Administration Proposes Much-Anticipated Guidance on How to Regulate GE Animals

Washington, D.C. (September 18, 2008) – The multiple benefits of animal biotechnologies are closer to being realized thanks to efforts today by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

The FDA announced today the long-awaited draft guidance describing a regulatory framework for governing genetically engineered (GE) animals. In addition, USDA is seeking comment on their coordinated role in the regulatory process. Continue reading Genetic Engineering Promises to Improve Medicine, Food and the Environment

China Plans $3.5 Billion GM Crops Initiative

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Science
Issue Date:  September 5, 2008 | Volume 321 | Page 1279

BEIJING—Confronted with land degradation, chronic water shortages, and a growing population that already numbers 1.3 billion, China is looking to a transgenic green revolution to secure its food supply. Later this month, the government is expected to roll out a $3.5 billion research and development (R&D) initiative on genetically modified (GM) plants. “The new initiative will spur commercialization of GM varieties,” says Xue Dayuan, chief scientist on biodiversity at the Nanjing Institute of Environmental Science of the Ministry of Environmental Protection. Continue reading China Plans $3.5 Billion GM Crops Initiative

Musings about Attacks on Agricultural Biotechnology

Terry D. Etherton

Because of my commitment to defend science, scientists, and technological innovation in agriculture, I encounter folks and groups on the “other side” who use all sorts of interesting — even bizarre, and dysfunctional — tactics to scare consumers about science, food safety, and the need for technological innovation in agriculture. Continue reading Musings about Attacks on Agricultural Biotechnology

HSUS: Try to Understand … Before it’s too Late

By SALLY SCHUFF

Feedstuffs
Issue Date: September 15, 2008 | Issue 38 | Volume 80

HERE is a challenge for the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS): Try to understand the purpose of animal agriculture before you are blamed for a major mistake.

Animal agriculture is not about torturing animals in factory farms, nor poisoning the environment, nor obesity. Animal agriculture is all about providing high-quality human nutrition not only to the well-heeled and picky eaters in developed countries but also to those whose economic reality is defined by the deficit in high-protein foods for the young, the old and the ill. Continue reading HSUS: Try to Understand … Before it’s too Late

Udder Nonsense about Milk

Henry Miller

The Washington Times
Published on Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Milk occupies a special place in our lives and language. It has been dubbed “Nature’s most perfect food,” and we speak sentimentally of the “land of milk and honey” and the “milk of human kindness.” Dairy products represent important nutrient sources in much of the world, containing calcium and high-quality protein. Continue reading Udder Nonsense about Milk