Monthly Archives: January 2011

GM Alfalfa: “Approved” or “Deregulated”?

Posted on January 28, 2011 by Chris MacDonald

The US Department of Agriculture has issued a decision allowing widespread planting of genetically modified alfalfa. See this article, by Andrew Pollack for the NYT: U.S. Approves Genetically Modified Alfalfa Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced on Thursday that he would … Continue reading →

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Biofuels Underwhelm

Posted on January 25, 2011 by Chris MacDonald

A new study has confirmed what common sense already made seem likely, according to this story by Dina Fine Maron for the NYT: Biofuels of No Benefit to Military — RAND A new analysis presented to Congress yesterday paints a … Continue reading →

Posted in agriculture, industrial biotechnology | Leave a comment

Canada’s Proposed “Bill C-474”

Posted on January 16, 2011 by Chris MacDonald

A “private members bill” currently before Canada’s parliament will, if passed, require that “an analysis of potential harm to export markets be conducted before the sale of any new genetically engineered seed is permitted” in Canada. (FYI, a bill that … Continue reading →

Posted in agriculture, GMO, regulation, risk | 8 Comments

Unethical Lizard

Posted on January 8, 2011 by Chris MacDonald

Is this lizard unethical? From National Geographic, see the Self-Cloning Lizard. According to National Geo, …the newfound Leiolepis ngovantrii is no run-of-the-mill reptile—the all-female species reproduces via cloning, without the need for male lizards. Since so many people apparently think … Continue reading →

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