Confirming the safety of biotech crops, research by Europe’s top food safety regulators concluded a strain of genetically modified (GM) maize has no negative effects on human health or the environment.

The biotechnology panel of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) said it “did not identify adverse effects on the environment or human and animal health” during the 2010 growing season from the biotech corn.  The panel reported that the study is consistent with its previous scientific opinions on the safety of the crop and its recommendations on risk management.

EFSA published the findings based on an analysis of GM maize produced in 2010, Food Navigator news reports. In 2008, EFSA scientists reached the same conclusion supporting the safety of the strain of GM maize.

EFSA is a leading authority on food safety risk assessment that provides independent scientific advice for the European Union’s food supply.  Read the full EFSA scientific opinion here.

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.

NPR: Biotech could boost global food supply and mitigate impact of climate change

NPR’s Science Friday discussed the role of biotechnology in helping to meet the challenges of climate change and improve global food security. Gerald Nelson, senior research fellow at the International Food Policy Research Institute in D.C. said governments should approve genetically modified (GM) crops to increase yields and disease resistance. Read more.

Hunger relief agencies welcome Kenya’s approval of GM maize

Kenya’s Daily Nation announced the country has approved the importation of GM maize after guidelines were released last week.

This is welcome news for hunger relief agencies that have been pushing the government to approve genetically modified foods to help mitigate local starvation. Read more.

India calls for GM crop approval to contribute to a second green revolution

India hopes biotechnology could lead to a second green revolution, India Infoline News Service reports.

Local farmers, scientists and members of the ag biotech industry gathered to call on the Indian Parliament to expedite approval of GM crops. They write: “Plant biotechnology is a powerful tool that helps farmers provide food, feed, fiber, and fuel to a growing global population in a sustainable manner, while reducing agriculture’s footprint on environment.”  Read more.