Foreign Policy: Consumers should support biotech research to fight poverty

Foreign Policy magazine calls on consumers to be “cosmovores”-cosmopolitan grocery shoppers-by embracing biotech research that can help farmers in low-income countries to increase the value of their crops and produce more on less land. The article says genetically modified (GM) crops have contributed to “significant, positive impacts on environmental and financial outcomes.” Read more.

Reuters: EU court calls French ban on GM maize illegal

According to Reuters, Europe’s highest court ruled that France illegally imposed a ban on genetically modified (GM) maize. The European Court of Justice said France did not have the authority to impose a ban on the growing of insect-resistant maize without demonstrating health or environmental risks. EU commissioned research has found no evidence of harm from GM crops.  Read more.  

Australian research on GM rice aims to prevent children with iron deficiency in developing countries

Tune in to ABC Radio National to find out about an Australian research team that has genetically modified (GM) rice to improve its iron content by 400%. The report features Dr. Alex Johnson, program leader at the Australian Centre for Plant Functional Genomics, who says genetically modified rice will help developing countries suffering from iron deficiency, which can lead to anemia. Click here for a link to the broadcast.