Critique no. 4 of GM corn safety
Further to previous blog posts on the Seralini research about the safety of three varities of GM corn, I started a chat about this on the Biofortified blog.
A post from a statstician at the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences at the University of Idaho is here
Jason
GNTIS
Longevity Gene Helps Prevent Memory Decline and Dementia
Scientists have found that a “longevity gene” helps to slow age-related decline in brain function in older adults.
Albert Einstein College of Medicine: http://www.einstein.yu.edu/home/news.asp?id=454
Published paper
13 January edition of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Change is coming to the GNTIS
The Gene and NanoTechnology Information Service is about to change its name to techNyou.
New name, bigger agenda
The Gene and NanoTechnology Information Service is about to change its name to techNyou. It is easier to say, at least.
For some time now we have wanted to broaden our agenda to include all emerging technologies, and now we have done it and so we needed a name change. So, over the next few weeks there will be a transition from the GNTIS to techNyou.
Same service
We will still have piles of fact sheets, media clippings, research reports and peer-reviewed papers that we can send you on relevant topics. We will still be involved in public engagement activities and you can still contact us for information. You just have a wider range of topics you can ask us about – for example, where is all this communication technology taking us, or how far off are quantum computers and how powerful are they? What influence will their presence have on society, our privacy and the way we interact?
Apology
Just before Christmas we released a postcard through Avantcard about nanotechnology. Many people have been returning those cards requesting information. I have a confession to make: yesterday after collecting the cards from the postbox they slipped from my hand. It was a windy day and I was chasing the cards for 100s of metres up the road dodging traffic and mad taxi drivers to retrieve them. I think there may have been a couple lost forever. So, if you sent in a postcard and don’t receive anything within 10 days, then feel free to call or email us and I will ensure I get some info to you.
Jason
GNTIS (techNyou)
Smart paper detects toxins in water
A strip of paper infused with carbon nanotubes can quickly and inexpensively detect a toxin produced by algae in drinking water.
Uni of Michigan: http://www.ns.umich.edu/htdocs/releases/story.php?id=7481
Paper reference
Research published online in Nano Letters
Wang et al. Simple, Rapid, Sensitive, and Versatile SWNT-Paper Sensor for Environmental Toxin Detection Competitive with ELISA. Nano Letters, 2009; 9 (12): 4147 DOI: 10.1021/nl902368r
GM dandelion one of 50 best inventions for 2009
Time magazine has picked a genetically modified dandelion that produces latex as one of its 50 best inventions for 2009.
Time magazine has picked a genetically modified dandelion that produces latex as one of its 50 best inventions for 2009.
Weed to wubber
Yeh, I know it is 2010, but I have just got back in the office and I am catching up. I am working on the theory I am not alone.
The weed has always produced latex but it goes gummy and useless when exposed to air. German scientists discovered an enzyme (called polyphenoloxidase) that is responsible for making its rubbery sap gummy. So they switched off the gene responsible for the production of this enzyme and they now have a dandelion that manufactures 500% more latex than the old version.
Even if the technology was commercially ready, it probably wouldn’t replace petroleum-based rubber or traditional sources of natural latex just yet, but as oil becomes harder to find and extract, this technology may become attractive, but I am no economist or venture capitalist.
How acceptable?
But if it was commercially viable and approved for use, I suspect there will be a lot of resistance from a noisy minority – playing with nature, upsetting the ecological balance…and so on. Most of the arguments will be unjustifiable on scientific grounds; possibly some on ethical grounds as well.
I suspect, however, that most people will judge this particular use of the technology as acceptable. I could be wrong. I would be interested to know people’s thoughts on the acceptability or otherwise of this technology. My experience suggests the acceptability of risk is lower when it involves genetically modified products that are not food.
Human health, it seems, takes priority over the environment or any other consideration.
Jason
GNTIS
House of Lords criticical of food industry and its use of nanotech
A House of Lords report is critical of the food industry’s lack of transparency with its research into the uses of nanotechnologies.
UK House of Lords media release: http://www.parliament.uk/parliamentary_committees/lords_press_notices/pn080110st.cfm
and for report: http://www.parliament.uk/parliamentary_committees/lords_s_t_select/nanotechfood.cfm
Reports states that appearing to be secretive about its research “is exactly the type of behaviour which may bring about the public reaction it is trying to avert.”
Lord Krebs discusses reports recommendations on YouTube (though not sure when it will be up. It wasn’t there today) : www.youtube.com/ukparliament