Bio/Technology/Diversity News, Volume 4, Number 3, 1995

Bio/Technology/Diversity News Produced by the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy March 15, 1995 Volume 4, Number 3 Code Number: NL95009 Size of Files: Text:14K No associated graphics files _____________________________________________ HEADLINES _____________________________________________ - More rBGH Labeling Laws Introduced California state Senator Richard Polanco introduced legislation mandating the labeling of milk and dairy products derived from cows treated with recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH or BST). - Mycogen Granted Sweeping Bt Patent Mycogen has been granted a patent covering the use of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) genes in plants. "This patent, and other claims [Mycogen has] filed, will essentially cover any development genetically transforming plants to have insect resistance," said Mike Sund of Mycogen. - EPA Says Rhizobium Not a Human Threat In January, an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Biotechnology Science Advisory Committee agreed that genetically engineered Rhizobium meliloti does not pose a threat to human health. However, the committee said several questions about the ecological risks associated with the release of the bacterium remained. - Genetic Predisposition to Violence? The March 1995 issue of SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN examines how many scientists are turning to genetics to explain violent or criminal behavior. - International News Wrap-Up In Japan, a research team of the Ministry of Health and Welfare concluded that agricultural products from recombinant DNA are safe. In the U.K., the government announced its intention to approve three products of genetic engineering: Zeneca's tomato paste; Plant Genetic Systems' rapeseed oil; and a Monsanto soybean product. Health Canada recently informed Calgene that its Flavr Savr tomato can be imported, advertised and sold in Canada. Last week, the European Parliament rejected a European Union (EU) framework for patenting genetically engineered organisms and other biotechnological developments. - Biodiversity Convention Unlikely to Hit Senate Soon Kathleen McGinty, chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality has said that it is unlikely that implementing legislation for the Biodiversity Convention will go before the Senate any time soon. - Clinton Administration Proposing to Ease ESA Last week, the Clinton administration proposed changes to the Endangered Species Act (ESA), which would make it more flexible and decrease its costs while still protecting threatened or endangered species. _____________________________________________ DIFFERENT DRUMMERS takes a look at Incentives for Protecting North American Diversity in its summer 1994 issue. _____________________________________________ CALENDAR OF EVENTS _____________________________________________ Genes for the Future: Discovery, Ownership, Access, May 24- 27, 1995, Columbia, Missouri. FFI, contact: NABC7, 348 Hearnes Center, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO 65211, Tel: (314) 882-2429, Fax: (314) 882-1953. _____________________________________________ Bio/Technology/Diversity News is produced by the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, Mark Ritchie, President. Editor: Michelle Thom. Electronic mail versions are available free of charge for subscribers. For information about fax subscriptions contact: IATP, 1313 Fifth Street SE, Suite 303, Minneapolis, MN 55414. For information on subscribing to this and other IATP news bulletins, send e-mail to: iatp-info@iatp.org. IATP provides contract research services to a wide range of corporate and not-for-profit organizations. For more information, contact Dale Wiehoff at 612-379-5980, or send email to: dwiehoff@iatp.org