GM crops

The mosquito’s role in malaria virulence; the value of grant review; Europe must embrace GM crops; why roaches avoid sugary bait

If the European Union is to have any hope of feeding its population in the future, it must end its illogical aversion to genetic modification.

An official investigation into a controversial GM rice study carried out with Chinese schoolchildren has resulted in the removal of three China-based researchers.

A controversial study that suggested genetically modified (GM) maize causes cancer in rats is dismissed by the European Food Safety Authority.

A handful of French science academies and government agencies add to a growing chorus of doubts that genetically modified corn causes tumors and early death in rats.

European agencies will evaluate a recent study that links genetically modified corn to early death.

A questionable study claims that rats fed approved genetically modified maize developed cancer and died early.

A PLOS ONE study claiming to have jacked up the essential crop with a gene to allow the plant to produce protein is retracted.

Researchers studying the effects of genetically modified golden rice on schoolchildren in China are accused of unethical behavior.

The EU Court of Justice struck down Italy’s attempt to block genetically modified maize.

One way to increase biofuel production is to engineer plants that can withstand harsh environmental conditions, thereby expanding the range in which such crops can be grown. 

Of the many available no- or low-carbon methods to harvest energy, including wind, geothermal, hydroelectric, and solar approaches, conversion of plant biomass to liquid fuels is the most cost-effective strategy.

Research is underway to reduce the use of food crops for biofuels by shifting to dedicated energy crops and agricultural residues.

Transgenic cotton plants that produce their own insecticide bolster local insect predator populations, which could serve as better long-term solutions to crop pests.

A protestor is arrested for trying to break into a field of genetically modified wheat at a UK agricultural research station.

Plant pests are evolving to outsmart common herbicides, costing farmers crops and money.

By The Scientist staff | April 1, 2011

The debate over genetically engineered crops rages on, but other technologies offer new hope for sustainable farming.

UK's landmark trials misrepresented by industry and campaigners, Royal Society says.