Table of Contents

CONSUMER RESEARCH

Genetically Engineered Crops with Enhanced Micronutrient Levels: Present Status and Market Potential
Hans De Steur, Dieter Blancquaert, Simon Strobbe, Willy Lambert, Xavier Gellynck & Dominique Van Der Straeten

Genetically engineered or transgenic biofortified crops with an increased vitamin and/or mineral content have large potential to improve public health, but their availability for consumers is still hampered. Over the last years, various GE crops with health benefits have been developed in which genes, mostly originating from other organisms, have been added. A multidisciplinary team from Ghent University has summarized the current state of research in the field of GE biofortification, by focusing on biotechnology research as well as socio-economic research at micro (acceptance, willingness-to-pay) and macro level (health impacts, cost-effectiveness). Being novel in its approach, this study aims to inform various stakeholders among which biotech developers and agricultural economists, policy makers, regulators and health planners in the field of micronutrient malnutrition prevention.

PLANT RESEARCH

Enhancing Photosynthesis in Crops with a Faster Rubisco
P S Janaki Krishna

The enzyme Rubisco catalyzes the primary photosynthetic CO2 reduction reaction that fixes atmospheric CO2 to ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate to form two molecules of 3-phosphoglycerate. Improving Rubisco efficiency has been a research goal for many years. The introduction of the CO2 concentrating mechanism (CCM) from cyanobacteria into plants, which allows the utilization of a form of Rubisco that has a higher catalytic rate, has been proposed as a means to enhance crop yields. Researchers from Cornell University and Rothamsted Researchin the UK have reported the development of two transplastomic tobacco lines that have functional Rubisco taken from cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongates (Se7942).

RISK ASSESSMENT RESEARCH

Impact of Soil Water Content and Temperature on GE Crop Cry1Ac Protein Degradation
Mei-jun Zhang, Mei-chen Feng, Lu-jie Xiao, Xiao-yan Song, Wu-de Yang, and Guang-Wei Ding

Insect-resistant transgenic Bt cotton is a major cotton variety used around the world; therefore, we investigated the degradation of Cry1Ac protein in leaves and buds of Bt cotton in the soil. The purpose of the study was to determine the correlation between degradation of Cry1Ac protein from transgenic Bt cotton (expressing the Cry1Ac protein) and soil water content and temperature. The findings of this study imply that under appropriate soil temperature and water moisture, Cry1Ac protein would not persist and accumulate in soil.

REGULATORY NEWS

USDA Announces Deregulation of Non-Browning Apples

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is announcing its decision to deregulate two apple varieties genetically engineered (GE) to resist browning.