In an article published in Plant Biotechnology Journal, the new genome-editing technique called oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis (ODM) was presented and reviewed as an option to accelerate development of important traits in plants. According to the paper, oligonucleotides can be used to make targeted edits in plasmid, episomal, and chromosomal DNA of bacterial, fungal, mammalian and plant systems

Paul Ehrlich of Stanford University and John Harte of University of California wrote an opinion article in PNAS stating that a global revolution is needed to feed the world in 2050. The authors identified different policies that could be implemented as solution to the growing population and food insufficiency. These include expansion of research on better cropping systems with long-term sustainability

FAO 9 December 2015, Rome - Rules governing international trade of food and agricultural products should be crafted with an eye to improving countries' food security and other development objectives. For this, a pragmatic approach that would align agricultural and trade policies at the national level is needed, a new FAO report argues.

FAO 7 December, 2015, Bosasso, Somalia - FAO, working with the European Union, has just completed the deployment of 25 "fish magnets" along Somalia's 3,300-km coastline, a move that will boost the nation's small-scale artisanal fisheries. The Fish-Aggregating Devices (FADs) consist of a floating buoy and "habitat mat" a few metres across. Plant life quickly grows under the mat, attracting large numbers of fish -- in essence creating new high-density fishing grounds where none existed before.

The Genome Analysis Centre (TGAC) in collaboration with the Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences of Aberystwyth University, has sequenced and assembled the genome of red clover, a protein-rich livestock feed, known to boost the omega-3 fatty acids in ruminant milk.

In celebration of the Philippine National Biotechnology Week 2015 (NBW 2015) held on November 23 to 28, 2015 in SM Dasmariñas, Cavite, selected Filipino writers and photography enthusiasts were awarded because of their contributions to popularizing biotechnology.

AgbiotechVn (BIC Vietnam) in collaboration with the Central Union of Farmers of Vietnam and Union of Farmers of Ha Giang province, one of the localities that have the biggest maize growing areas and production in the country, organized a seminar on biotech crops on November 17, 2015. Participants included Mrs. Xin Thi Bich, Chair of Ha Giang Farmers Union and more than 50 delegates from the provincial departments, districts and representatives of farmers from different regions as well as the provincial TV and newspapers.

Scientists at Oxford University and partners are entering the third phase of their project with an objective to improve photosynthesis in rice by introducing more efficient traits from other crops. One of the major goals of the project is to switch rice from C3 photosynthetic pathway to C4, which is more efficient and is projected to increase productivity by 50 percent, as well as improve nitrogen use efficiency, double water use efficiency, and drought tolerance.

Uganda's Vice President, Hon. Edward Sekandi, has urged Members of Parliament to pass Biotechnology and Biosafety Bill 2012, which will provide a regulatory framework for safe research and development of modern biotechnology in Uganda.

Glenn Denning (figure), a professor of Professional Practice at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs, directs a Master of Public Administration in Development Practice program and teaches a graduate course in Global Food Systems. He also serves as Senior Policy Advisor at the Sustainable Development Solutions Network, launched by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in August 2012, to mobilize scientific and technical expertise from academia, civil society, and the private sector in support of sustainable development.