Judge overturns injunction against planting of GM maize in Mexico
A judge has cancelled the injunction that since 2013 has prevented GMO seed companies, including Monsanto and Syngenta, planting GM corn in Mexico. On hearing the decision, the citizens group that brought the class action lawsuit that resulted in the injunction filed an appeal. So the injunction remains in place pending further court action.
Pesticide use jumped 162% in 12 years in Brazil
According to research from the Brazilian Association of Collective Health (Abrasco), there was an increase of 162% in the volume of pesticides used between 2000 and 2012. Monoculture and GM crops are blamed for the rise.
Stop the “toxic soybean” – EU call to action
EU market authorisation might be given to a new Monsanto GM soybean that is resistant to two pesticides, glyphosate and dicamba. The GM soybeans will contain a mix of chemical residues that might be carcinogenic. Take quick and easy action.
Full IARC report on glyphosate published
The full report of the World Health Organization's cancer agency IARC, concluding that glyphosate is a “probable carcinogen”, has been published and is available for download.
Glyphosate herbicides are toxic below regulatory safety limits
A new review of the scientific literature shows that glyphosate herbicides may be toxic below regulatory safety limits. The new review shows that endocrine (hormone) disruptive effects can occur below the doses deemed not to cause any toxic effects in industry studies performed for regulatory approvals.
Roundup is an endocrine disruptor – new study
The glyphosate-based herbicide Roundup is an endocrine (hormone) disruptor in adult male rats, a new study shows.
New revelation about glyphosate-cancer link
Glyphosate narrowly missed being classed as a known rather than a probable carcinogen in the World Health Organisation evaluation.
Scientists call for new review of glyphosate, cite “flawed” US regulations
US regulators have relied on flawed and outdated research to allow expanded use of glyphosate, according to a column published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
EU Commission declares glyphosate report a secret… but Monsanto had access
The EU Commission is refusing to let independent experts have access to the report prepared by the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) on the risk assessment of glyphosate. But Monsanto had access – and quickly published a paper claiming glyphosate is not carcinogenic in advance of its EU re-evaluation.
Researchers find glyphosate-free breast milk for Monsanto
Dr Michelle (Shelley) McGuire has led a team of researchers from Washington State University (WSU) in a study that has allegedly found US mothers' breast milk to be glyphosate-free. The study had Monsanto involvement.
Monsanto's new $1bn herbicide shows our bias towards hi-tech solutions
Monsanto just announced a $1bn investment in its new herbicide, dicamba, part of Roundup Ready Xtend, its system for GM crops such as soybeans and cotton. From superfoods to GM crops – every week presents a new technological solution to save the world, distracting us from the simpler, sustainable options, writes the author, analyst and campaigner Andrew Simms.
GMO lobby pushes new gene-silencing GMOs in spite of safety risks
GMO lobbyists are pushing for new RNAi (RNA interference or gene silencing) type GMOs to be rapidly commercialised despite serious safety concerns. The technology opens the door to in-field genetic engineering.
New Monsanto spray kills bugs by messing with their genes
Monsanto is developing novel pesticide sprays using RNAi technology, which silences genes crucial to insects' survival.
NGO to battle South Africa govt, Monsanto over GM “drought tolerant” maize
The African Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) has lodged an appeal against the South African government's approval of Monsanto's GM maize MON87460 for cultivation. MON87460 is alleged to be "drought-tolerant", a claim the ACB vehemently disputes.
“Climate change-friendly GM rice” is long way from making a difference
A new GM rice is being touted as climate change-friendly because in cultivation it produces less methane, a powerful greenhouse gas, than normal rice. But “many issues” remain unresolved, points out a commentary in Nature journal.
Pope Francis joins battle against transgenic crops
In his encyclical on the environment, Pope Francis condemns GMOs for their destructive social, economic, legal, and ethical implications.
Economic studies present overly positive picture of social sustainability of GM crops
A review of the scientific literature on the social impacts of GM crops found that few studies took a comprehensive view the issue and that the literature was dominated by studies that painted a rosier picture than was warranted.
Long-term exposure to GM maize leaves harms water fleas
Long-term exposure to leaves of MON810 GM Bt maize causes reduced growth and fertility in Daphnia magna (water flea), compared with exposure to the leaves of the non-GM parent variety (isoline), a new study found.
LOBBYWATCH
Kevin Folta received $25,000 from Monsanto
In a major scandal, an article in the journal Nature has disclosed that Kevin Folta, a plant scientist at the University of Florida, received a US$25,000 grant last year from Monsanto. This is in spite of the fact that Folta had repeatedly claimed to have no Monsanto funding.
Errors, fraud, lies, and William Saletan
In a 3-part series, GMWatch's Claire Robinson continues to take apart the journalist Williams Saletan's article in Slate magazine attacking GMO critics. Part 2 deals with GMO food safety and Part 3 asks whether GM papaya is a saviour or a health risk. For those who missed Part 1, announced in last month's GMWatch Review, it's here. Saletan responded to Claire's articles with another attack, which she is replying to in a further 2-part series. Part 1 is here.
Propaganda over facts? BBC Panorama and Bt brinjal
BBC Panorama's programme, “GM Food: Cultivating Fear”, has come under attack from a Bangladeshi journalist for falsely portraying Bt brinjal (eggplant/aubergine) cultivation in Bangladesh as a success. The BBC's claim of 90% success for Bt brinjal in Bangladesh appears to be entirely without foundation.
Despite failure, BARI will release more Bt brinjal varieties in Bangladesh
Though the cultivation of GM Bt brinjals has failed for two consecutive years, the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) has announced that it will apply for the release of three more Bt brinjal varieties for the upcoming season.
US House of Representatives passes anti-GMO labelling law
The US House of Representatives has passed a hotly debated bill that blocks any mandatory labelling of GM foods. The bill is also called the DARK Act, Denying Americans the Right to Know. The Bill now heads to the Senate, where it may meet stronger opposition.
Pro-GMO group used deceptive tactics to win support for bill that would ban GMO labelling
The GMO industry-funded Coalition for Safe Affordable Food misled a woman into thinking she was supporting GMO labelling when, in reality, she would have supported legislation to ban mandatory labelling.
Pro-GMO lobby's backing for GM crops in Scotland “like a religious crusade”
The Scottish Government's decision to ban cultivation of GM crops north of the Border has predictably prompted a chorus of condemnation from pro-GMO scientists and research institutes. But now a professor specialising in perception of environmental risk has described the pro-GM campaign as akin to a “religious crusade” peddling visions of “damnation”.