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Reuters, 24 Nov 2008
Can GM save the world?
Genetic modification is one of the great contentious issues of 21st Century science. To some it is a powerful technology that could boost food production and prevent famines; to others it is a dangerously untested science that threatens environmental disaster. |
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Reuters, 9 Nov 2008
Souped-up immune cells catch even disguised HIV
Genetically engineered immune cells can spot the AIDS virus even when it tries to disguise itself, offering a potential new way to treat the incurable infection, researchers reported...... |
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Reuters, 27 Oct 2008
Scientists develop cancer fighting tomato
A purple tomato genetically engineered to contain nutrients more commonly seen in dark berries helped prevent cancer in mice, British researchers said
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Scientific American, 16 Sep 2008
Turning bacteria into plastic factories
A new company has found a way to produce polymers from genetically engineered microbes that feed on sugars, replacing fossil-fuel based processes.
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Reuters, 10 Jul 2008
China approves big budget for GMO amid food worries
China's cabinet has approved a huge budget for research of genetically modified
crops amid growing concerns over food security, a move scientists say may speed
up commercial production of GMO rice or corn. |
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Reuters, 3 Jun 2008
Food crisis may open door to genetically modified rice
Some rice-producing nations may drop their reluctance to use genetically modified (GM) seeds in the next few years to help offset a crisis that has forced millions to go hungry, a top expert said. |
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Reuters, 20 May 2008
Extinct Australian tiger gene functions in mouse
For the first time DNA from an extinct species, Australia's marsupial Tasmanian
Tiger, has been used to induce a functional response in a living organism, a
mouse embryo. |
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The Straits Times (Online Forum), 20 May 2008
GM food should remain in the grocery store
I refer to the letter, 'Don't be too quick to endorse GM foods' by Mr Richard Seah (April 9). Not all genetic modifications of foods are bad per se. In the last few years, there has been an attempt by scientists to combine animal genes to produce more Omega-3 rich steak, pork and other meats. This will be especially important in the future, as cold-water fish (typically the best source of Omega-3) becomes increasingly laced with mercury and other heavy metals. |
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The Straits Times (Forum), 15 May 2008
GM crop food yield less than its conventional equivalent
In recent weeks, there were some major news reports on genetically modified (GM) foods. Around April 20, the University of Kansas released a three-year study which showed that 'GM soya produces about 10 per cent less food than its conventional equivalent, contradicting assertions by advocates of the technology that it increases yields'. |
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The Straits Times, 12 May 2008
GM crops a viable option for food crisis?
Rice crops are failing in many parts of the world, but at a small emerald patch in Java, farmers are celebrating a windfall. A group of Indonesian farmers testing genetically modified (GM) crops this year harvested 50 per cent more grain - about 3 tonnes of rice per hectare. |
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Reuters, 4 May 2008
China experts identify gene for yield, height in rice
Scientists in China have identified a single gene that appears to control rice yield, as well as its height and flowering time, taking what may be a crucial step in global efforts to increase crop productivity.
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The Straits Times, 29 April 2008
Scientists restore eyesight of four
Researchers have, for the first time, used gene therapy to improve the eyesight of patients with a rare disorder and in danger of going blind. |
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The Straits Times (Forum), 28 April 2008
GM labelling in line with international practice
In his letter “Don't be too quick to endorse GM foods” (ST 9 April 08), Mr Richard Seah Siew Sai questioned the safety of Genetically Modified (GM) food and suggested that all GM food must be labelled. There is international consensus among national food safety authorities and the Codex Alimentarius Commission of the World Health Organization that GM food approved for sale in the international market are safe for human consumption. |
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The Straits Times (Forum), 9 April 2008
Don't be too quick to endorse GM foods
In his letter, 'All food here, including GM food, safe to eat: AVA'' (March 25), Mr Goh Shih Yong of the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) declared that 'the international consensus is that GM food is safe for consumption'. Where is this 'consensus'? |
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The Straits Times, 6 April 2008
When everything under the sun costs more...
A trip to the supermarket can be a bewildering experience these days. A carton of milk used to cost $1.50. Then it crept up to $1.70, before leaping to $2.50 today. A bag of rice used to go for about $7. Today, it is over $10...... Given that the world's population has grown from about one billion at the dawn of the 20th century to over 6.6 billion today and could hit nine billion by 2050, any serious attempt to tackle the looming food crisis will have to include technological innovation, properly researched and regulated, of course.
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The Straits Times (Forum), 25 March 2008
All food here, including GM food, safe to eat: AVA
The international consensus is that GM food is safe for consumption. This follows extensive reviews of the safety of GM food by various international scientific organisations over many years. All GM food must pass rigorous risk assessments to ensure it is safe for human consumption before it is allowed to be sold in the international market. |
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The Business Times, 8 March 2008
Guardian of Singapore's food supply
GM corn products and soya beans are already available in Singapore. 'We have tested them, done the risk assessment, and the Genetic Modification Advisory Committee has also evaluated,' said Dr Chua. 'And we both agree that these products are safe and therefore they are in the marketplace.'
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The Straits Times, 25 February 2008
Genetics website launched
In a bid to help members of the public better understand genetic research, the Genetic Modification Advisory Committee (GMAC) has launched a revamped website. |
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GMAC Press Release, 22 February 2008
GMAC launches revamped website and student reporters' challenge
The Genetic Modification Advisory Committee (GMAC) has carried out a total structural and content makeover of its official website. It has also organized a creative writing and design competition – the GMAC Student Reporters’ Challenge 2008. Dr Ngiam Tong Tau, Chairman of GMAC and former Chief of the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority, officially launched the website and competition today at a mega press conference attended by more than 250 student reporters.
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Guardian Unlimited, 22 January 2008
Tests on rats show genetically modified viruses can kill pain
Scientists have successfully tested a new method to treat long-term pain, using genetically-modified viruses. By delivering specific genes directly into the spinal column the viruses alleviated severe pain for up to three months at a time and avoided the need for drugs. |
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BBC News, 15 January 2008
Scientists unveil 'supercarrot'
Scientists in the US say they have created a genetically-engineered carrot that provides extra calcium. |
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