The Agbiotech bulletin vol. 3, issue 8, august, 1995

The Agbiotech Bulletin Volume 3 Issue 8, August, 1995 Code Number: NL95026 Sizes of Files: Text: 50k No associated graphics Biotech Research at Foundation of Economy While plant biotechnology may not be as glamorous as, say, a new biotech drug, it effects the very foundations of the Canadian economy, according to Dr. Michael Smith. News Transgenic Canola in Canada In Saskatchewan, approximately 30,000 acres have been contracted by Prairie Pools Inc. to grow Innovator^tm canola, developed by AgrEvo for tolerance to their glufosinate ammonium based herbicide, Liberty^tm. Another 10,000 acres are under cultivation in Alberta. AgrEvo herbicide approved Liberty^tm herbicide (glufosinate ammonium) has been approved by Agriculture Canada for use on a tolerant canola variety, the first ever commercial clearance for a non-selective herbicide on a transgenic crop. Innovator^tm, a transgenic canola variety produced by AgrEvo, was previously cleared for use in Canada. SRC-SeCan Search for Hybrid Guide to Wild Brassicas The Centre for Land and Biological Resources Research has developed definitive guides to the wild germplasm of the Brassica group. Calgene Announces Transgenic High-erucic Canola Calgene has announced that the company has developed a transgenic rapeseed oil containing trierucin, which could lead to a dramatically improved source of erucic acid, which is used in a wide variety of industrial applications. Philom Bios Drops BioMal Saskatoon company Philom Bios has dropped commercialization plans for its mycoherbicide BioMal, due to changing market conditions and high production costs. Goodale Rejects Vet Criticism Concerns expressed by Dr. David MacDonald, president of the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association, that federal budget cutbacks threaten Canada's ability to control animal diseases and protect food safety have been rejected by Ralph Goodale, Canada's Agriculture Minister. New S&T Strategy Proposed A framework for a federal science and technology strategy has been proposed by the National Advisory Board on Science and Technology (NABST) following their assessment of federal science and technology policy. New CEPA Regulations Delayed FlavrSavr^tm Taking a Bruising Hormone for Swine Okayed Down Under Events AgBiotech International Conference in Saskatoon The planning for the Agricultural Biotechnology International Conference (ABIC '96) continues. The conference will premiere in Saskatoon from June 11 - 14, 1996. Tissue Culture Conference in Saskatoon The 4th Canadian Plant Tissue Culture and Genetic Engineering Conference will be held at the Delta Bessborough Hotel in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan from June 1-4, 1996. Oats/Barley Genetics Conference The 5th International Oat Conference and the 7th International Barley Genetics Symposium will be held concurrently July 30 to August 6, 1996 at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon. Biotech Colloquium A Biotechnology Colloquium will be held in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan October 16-20, 1995 as part of the North American Science and Tech Education The 8th Symposium of the International Organization of Science and Technology Education (IOSTE) will be held in Edmonton, Alberta from August 17 to 24, 1996. Trends European Biotech Gathering Momentum Ernst & Young's Second Annual Report on European Biotechnology reports that European biotech companies are "gathering momentum." Creating Knowledge, Japanese Style According to a Japanese study (The Knowledge-Creating Company: How Japanese Companies Create the Dynamics of Innovation, Nonaka and Takeuchi, Oxford University Press) the ability to create new knowledge, rather than manufacturing prowess is a key to corporate advancement. Alliances Monsanto Buys Into Calgene Public-Private Sector Partnerships The following article is the second installment in a series based on a presentation to the Plant Science Department, University of Manitoba in November, 1994 by R.E. Morgan, Manager of Agricultural Research and Development with the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool and member of the Board of Directors of Ag-West Biotech. Technology Transfer Canola Petal Test Commercialized A testing system used to predict the occurrence of an important canola disease has been licensed to a Saskatchewan company, Reed Agricultural Services, by University of Saskatchewan Technologies Incorporated. Biocontrol for Sclerotinia Around the Corner Meanwhile, AgCanada and Cominco Fertilizers Ltd. will commercialize a biocontrol agent for white mold/stem rot caused by Sclerotinia sclertiorum fungus. Queens Moves to Enhance Commercialization PARTEQ Innovations, Queen's University's for-profit technology transfer agent, is seeking private investments for an initiative designed to help commercialize the university's intellectual property. Finance New Biotech Loan Fund An innovative loan fund targeting Western Canada's biotechnology firms has been announced by Western Economic Diversification Minister Lloyd Axworthy and the Royal Bank of Canada's General Manager for Saskatchewan, Gord G. Tallman. Input on International Strategy Sought The federal government wants to hear from Canadian biotech companies about their international priorities for exporting products and services, attracting investment and acquiring new technology. Issues rbST Moratorium Extension Recommended A further two-year moratorium on the sale of rbST in Canada has been recommended by the House of Commons health committee. American Religious Leaders Oppose Gene Patents The Southern Baptist Conference in Atlanta has adopted a resolution calling for "an immediate moratorium on the patenting of animal and human tissues and genetic sequences until a full and complete discussion has concurred." Bt Genes and Organic Farmers Organic farmers are challenging the introduction of potatoes and other crops that have been engineered to contain insect toxin genes from Bacillus thuringiensis. Attitudes Public Determines if Agbiotech Products Will Fly What is a viable product? Canadian Consumers Wary of bST Milk Winnipeg public opinion pollster Angus Reid says Canadian consumers are suspicious of rbST. CDA Committee Favours Biotech A position paper of the Biotechnology Committee of the Canadian Dietetic Association has endorsed the value of biotechnology in maintaining an abundant and sustainable food supply. However, the Committee reports it has not yet been able to achieve consensus of its position with all provincial associations. Legal Notes Who's Suing Whom? American legislators recently beefed up that country's Plant Variety Protection Act, giving developers of new plant varieties stronger control of genetic property. Resources BioResearch Ireland Canola Info Service for Sask Export Strategies Info Systems for Agbiotech Electronic TechTransfer Service People Watch Canadian Dietetic Association Canola Council of Canada Canodev Cyanamid Canada Hoechst Mallinckrodt Veterinary Pioneer Hi-Bred VIDO Copyright 1995 Agbiotech Bulletin