A new study adds to evidence that farmers in the US corn belt have over-planted GM Bt corn, leading to estimated losses of more than $1 billion as the pests the corn was designed to repel have grown resistant over time. The authors of the paper, published in the journal Science, said their findings supported a move toward a “more diversified” seed supply.

After examining rootworm crop damage data from 10 states over the period 2005-2016, the researchers determined that many farmers planted more GM corn than was considered necessary to address pest problems. Bt seeds typically carry a significant price premium. The scientists found that planting Bt corn in certain eastern Corn Belt states provided “only marginal yield protection benefits,” benefits that appear to often be eclipsed by the higher costs for GM seed versus non-GM seed. Moreover, when you plant more Bt corn than necessary, “you move the pest toward the evolution of resistance,” said Christian Krupke, a professor of entomology at Purdue University and the study’s corresponding author.

Between 2014 and 2016, farmers in Indiana, Ohio and Michigan planted about 50% of their fields with Bt corn, but data the study authors reviewed suggested the ideal level was 18% or less. If farmers in these states had planted this lower, optimal level of Bt corn, they would have made $99 million more per year during this period, according to the paper. “This study is the first to show that short-term economic gains for individual farmers are associated with planting less Bt corn targeting rootworms,” said Bruce Tabashnik, a University of Arizona professor who wasn’t involved in the study. The New Lede

 

 

Sign the petition to urge the European Commission and EU national governments to take a strong stand against any attempts to exclude new GMOs from the existing EU GMO legislation and to uphold mandatory safety checks, transparency and labelling for all GMOs to guarantee the safety of our food, as well as to protect nature, the environment and our freedom of choice. WeMove Europe

 

 

In an open letter, the Consumers Union of Japan has called on the European Commission and European governments to protect food safety and the environment by not excluding new GM crops, such as genome-edited organisms, from the regulations currently in place for GM crops in the EU. The Union writes: "To guarantee food safety and protect nature, the environment, and our freedom of choice, we call for support for mandatory biodiversity impact assessments, food safety confirmation, traceability, and labelling for all GMOs, including genome-edited organisms." Consumers Union of Japan

 

 

A recently published Chinese study has called attention to the many unexpected side effects result from new genetic engineering (NGT) applications in rice. The researchers targeted so-called zinc-finger proteins, which play an important role in controlling gene activity. The proteins are associated with important functions in plants, such as responses to environmental stress, flower induction, growth, and germination. The application of NGT caused a broad range of unintended effects. It was found that the CRISPR/Cas gene scissors also caused changes in off-target DNA sequences, and the plants exhibited considerable genetic instability in passing the genetic alterations to following generations. In addition, the effects of the NGT applications were very different even when the same gene sequence was altered. According to Testbiotech, these publications clearly demonstrate the need for the mandatory risk assessment of NGT plants. [GMW: The authors of the study recommend "multi-generation backcrossing to achieve a stable genetic platform". Extensive backcrossing, of course, takes a lot of time – negating the claimed advantage of speed for the gene-editing approach over conventional breeding.] Testbiotech

 

 

Cibus said its board has accepted Rory Riggs’ resignation as the company’s chief executive officer. Peter Beetham, the company’s President and Chief Operating Officer, also will serve as the Interim Chief Executive Officer. [GMW: This move follows a series of failures by the company.] Seeking Alpha

 

 

Bayer Crop Science has announced Vyconic soybeans, a new GM trait technology that will be the first to feature five herbicide tolerances including dicamba, glufosinate, mesotrione, 2,4-D and glyphosate. Vyconic soybeans will enable the use of five herbicides "for an integrated weed management programme to help address specific field needs and challenges, including weed resistance management". Successful Farming

 

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