Archive for the ‘Organisms’ Category

Roundup Ready GM Crops May Trigger Animal Miscarriages

A preliminary study made by a professor at Purdue University may indicate that the use of either glyphosate or Roundup Ready crops may have a role in a previously unknown organism that may be causing miscarriages and infertility in animals. The preliminary study was made by Dr. Ron Huber, professor emeritus at the Purdue University. […]

Impact Of GM Crops On Pesticide, Herbicide Use

Farms that grow genetically modified and engineered crops have become more common in many agricultural areas in the US as well as other countries in the Americas. The promise of such plants providing higher yield as well as having lesser chemical footprints in the environment seems to have been its main selling points. But after […]

Doubts Linger Over GM Crops

Genetically modified or GM plants have been widely publicized as the future in agriculture. Many believe that it may help improve crop harvests and farm productivity by developing genetically modified crops that can either resist pests or chemicals. But despite the promise that GM crops may offer, there are still doubts that linger among a […]

New Breed of Herbicide-Resistant Superweed Detected

Farmers in the United States are dealing with a new kind of danger: A new type of herbicide-resistant superweeds have spawned. Much like how heavy usage of antibiotics created strains of drug-resistant germs and bacteria, the continuous use of glyphosate, a type of weedkiller, has caused the creation of weeds that are immune to the poison. Glyphosate, usually sold under the brand name Roundup, has been used by farmers for over 20 years. Genetically-modified crops are immune to this wee…

Study Shows Possible Long Distance Viability of GM Tree Pollen

A recent study has shown that tree pollen may have the ability to travel or drift long distances and still be able to germinate. This may have implications US Department of Agriculture may approve the development of transgenic trees. The long distance viability of germination for tree pollen may pose a problem in trying to contain the spread of future genetically modified trees in the future if and when they get USDA approval in the future.The new research involved the study of tree pollen from …

Tobacco Plant Engineered To Clean Up Environmental Toxin

A team of scientists have genetically engineered a tobacco plant in order to effectively clean out toxins found in pond scum. This may someday provide another use for the plant known to cause diseases in people by way of cigarettes and smoking. Thanks to the researchers from the UK, the tobacco plant can be used to help clean up the environment by getting rid of toxins found in ponds.Scientists from the University of London have genetically altered a tobacco plant in order to produce an antibody…

Study Shows How Superweeds Develop

The use of genetically modified plants is gradually spreading despite the technology behind it has been showing some cracks. With the sole purpose of profiting now with uncaring disregard for possible consequences in the future, GM companies are widely advertising that its GM crop technology is safe and provide an essential good not only to farmers but also to ordinary consumers in general. But then the bad things are usually being hidden from sight, just like how GM plants tend to encourage the…

Ignorance of GMO Effects May Be Dangerous

Use of genetically modified organisms have become quite common in many countries, notably on the US and parts of South America. It has largely been because of the efforts of large multi-national corporations eyeing big profits in genetic modification. It may be considered as a technology that has largely not yet been fully understood by researchers and scientists. It is an industry that may pose a danger to the world at large.GMO companies have been quite aggressive in trying to promote and mark…

GM Viruses Found to Fight Antibiotic Resistance

Researchers from Boston University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology have genetically modified viruses that defeat bacterial defense systems, which could enhance the effectiveness of antibiotics. This new approach could also kill bacteria that have already developed antibiotic resistance. The results of the study were published in the March 2, 2009 online issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),…

Bad Mix of Bacterial Remnants and Genetics Lead to Arthritis

The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that over 40 million Americans report they have been told by their doctors they have rheumatic condition such as arthritis. Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in the country, limiting the activities of about 19 million people.A recent study provides new insight about one of the causes of inflammatory arthritis: bacteria. Researchers from the Netherlands and the United States show that NOD2, a specific gene, triggers…