A study reports that consumers' acceptance and willingness to pay for foods derived from new plant engineering techniques (NPETs) such as gene editing tend to increase when they are attributed to benefits. The data can help support future studies in assessing the commercialization efforts of NPET-derived foods.

The government of Ukraine has supported two draft laws in the field of genetically modified organisms (GMO) regulation which will be put on a vote in the parliament. The first draft law is aimed at regulating state control over the use of GMOs and the circulation of GM products. The second draft law will provide for the increased liability for violations in the field of GMO management.

Several reports say that about 75% of the world's crops are dependent on pollinators. A study published by Our World Data suggests that only about 10% of the global food supply is affected by disappearing insect pollinators.According to Our World Data, the previously reported figure stating that 75% of our crops depend on pollinators is not incorrect.

Research conducted by scientists from Western Sydney University reveals a distinct binding interface for both key proteins in COVID-19 – ssDNA and RNA – which work to enable the replication of the virus in host cells.The research results are published as an open-access article in the journal PROTEINS. According to co-lead researcher Dr. Roland Gamsjaeger from the School of Science, this finding is an exciting step in further understanding COVID-19.

Livestock producers and animal feed manufacturers have asked the Kenyan Government to allow the importation of duty-free genetically modified (GM) yellow maize and soybeans to cushion against a countrywide shortage of major ingredients used in manufacturing animal meals. The Association of Kenya Feed Manufacturers (AKEFEMA), the country's umbrella body for livestock feed producers, has urged the Government to review and vacate its Cabinet memo of 2012 which banned the importation of GM foods into the country.

Prof. Ei-ichi Negishi, winner of the 2010 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, died on June 6, 2021 at age 85. He died of pneumonia following surgery. He was surrounded by his two daughters and their families, his caregiver, and a minister. As his daughter, Charlotte Negishi East, wrote to me, “It was a beautiful time…read[ing] scripture from [the] Japanese Bible and… such meaningful songs and prayers, many stories about our father

The Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), QU Dongyu, today called on Small Island Developing States (SIDS) to foster the power of innovation and digitalization to accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 1 (No poverty), SDG 2 (No hunger) and SDG 10 (Reduced inequalities). Qu spoke at the opening of the two-day virtual SIDS Solutions Forum (30-31 August), co-hosted by FAO and the Government of Fiji.

Japan's Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) is expected to approve the genome-edited red snapper (tai in Japanese) in September, allowing it to be distributed and sold commercially. Once approved, it will be the first genome-edited fish in the country. Japan has approved genome-edited GABA-rich tomato in March 2021.Kyoto University, Kinki University, and other organizations have been working together to develop the genome-edited red snapper.

All of the 10 GM crops have gone through a comprehensive and stringent authorization procedure, including a favorable scientific assessment conducted by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). The authorization decisions do not cover cultivation. Member States did not reach a qualified majority either in favor or against at the Standing Committee and at the subsequent Appeal Committee, therefore the European Commission has the legal duty to proceed in line with the scientific advice received.

The webinar is the fourth of a series of webinars of the Biotech Outreach Program for the Philippines 2021 which is hosted by ISAAA, in partnership with the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) and the United States Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA FAS) Manila.