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During the COVID pandemic of 2019, Sweden saw a huge increase in food prices, as many of the country's grocery chains import a large amount of all foods. This research is motivated by the Swedish Parliament's motion "Self-Sufficiency of Food in Sweden" and the need for innovative solutions to enhance Sweden's food supply. This study focuses on alternative urban agriculture methods, with a focus on aeroponics, aquaponics, hydroponics, and vertical farming, and their potential for self-sufficiency in Sweden. This study aims to fill the gap in Swedish research on soilless urban farming methods and contribute to the understanding and acceptance of the alternative methods above. The study seeks to determine whether the yield of alternative cultivation methods is comparable to traditional methods, soil-based and greenhouse-based farming, in terms of resources invested and to identify the alternative method with the highest yield. Resources in this thesis will be defined as the amount of water that is used. Our thesis aims to support businesses and local governance in decision-making regarding implementation of alternative urban farming in Sweden. A literature search was conducted using keywords such as hydroponic, vertical farming and sustainability. Statistical analysis of collected data indicates significant differences in yield and water usage among the collected examples which resulted in vertical hydroponic farming offering the highest yield in terms of space utilization, with significant statistical significance (p < 0.05). Additionally, hydroponic farming requires the least amount of water compared to other methods although this is not a certainty as there was no significant statistical difference between the different methods. The study demonstrates that hydroponic farming can achieve higher yields compared to traditional soil-based farming and other alternative farming methods. The study emphasizes organizational and governmental solutions to improve self-suff, Denna studie undersöker potentialen hos alternativa urbana odlingsmetoder för självförsörjning i Sverige. Den svenska riksdagen stödjer motion om "Självförsörjning av mat i Sverige" och behovet av innovativa lösningar för matförsörjning i landet. Denna forskning fyller en kunskapsbrist i den svenska litteraturen om jordlösa odlingssystem såsom aeroponiska, akvaponiska, hydroponiska och vertikala odlingar. Syftet med studien är att sammanfatta den befintliga kunskapen om dessa alternativa odlingsmetoder och klargöra deras fördelar i en urban miljö. Denna studie strävar att stödja företag och lokala myndigheter vid implementering av alternativa odlingsmetoder, genom att studera de alternativa odlingsmetodernas avkastning i förhållande till resursanvändning. Studien har samlat exempel från forskningsartiklar och företags-hemsidor som använde de ovan nämnda alternativa odlingsmetoder som sedan analyserats och jämfört deras avkastning med traditionella jordbaserade odlingar såsom åker odlingar och växthusbaserade odlingar. Med den statistisk analys som gjorts har vi funnit att vertikal hydroponisk odling visar den högsta avkastningen per yta jämfört med de andra alternativa odlingsmetoderna och traditionella odlingar. Vi har dessutom fastställt att hydroponiska odlingar använder minst vatten per kg skörd i jämförelse med andra metoder. Studien betonar vikten av att fokusera på organisatoriska och statliga lösningar för att öka självförsörjningsgraden på lokal och nationell nivå. Medan privatpersoner kan vara självförsörjande med grönsaker och frukt på en normalstor tomt, kan det vara svårt för alla privatpersoner att upprätthålla en egen grönsaksträdgård och undvika skador på marken och ekosystemtjänsterna i staden. Därmed riktar vi denna studie till kommunen och staten som ett stöd för att säkerställa självförsörjning på en lokal och regional nivå. För att uppnå hållbar samhällsutveckling och stödja självförsörjning av mat i Sverige, är integreringen av alternativa urba

During the COVID pandemic of 2019, Sweden saw a huge increase in food prices, as many of the country's grocery chains import a large amount of all foods. This research is motivated by the Swedish Parliament's motion "Self-Sufficiency of Food in Sweden" and the need for innovative solutions to enhance Sweden's food supply. This study focuses on alternative urban agriculture methods, with a focus on aeroponics, aquaponics, hydroponics, and vertical farming, and their potential for self-sufficiency in Sweden. This study aims to fill the gap in Swedish research on soilless urban farming methods and contribute to the understanding and acceptance of the alternative methods above. The study seeks to determine whether the yield of alternative cultivation methods is comparable to traditional methods, soil-based and greenhouse-based farming, in terms of resources invested and to identify the alternative method with the highest yield. Resources in this thesis will be defined as the amount of water that is used. Our thesis aims to support businesses and local governance in decision-making regarding implementation of alternative urban farming in Sweden. A literature search was conducted using keywords such as hydroponic, vertical farming and sustainability. Statistical analysis of collected data indicates significant differences in yield and water usage among the collected examples which resulted in vertical hydroponic farming offering the highest yield in terms of space utilization, with significant statistical significance (p < 0.05). Additionally, hydroponic farming requires the least amount of water compared to other methods although this is not a certainty as there was no significant statistical difference between the different methods. The study demonstrates that hydroponic farming can achieve higher yields compared to traditional soil-based farming and other alternative farming methods. The study emphasizes organizational and governmental solutions to improve self-suff, Denna studie undersöker potentialen hos alternativa urbana odlingsmetoder för självförsörjning i Sverige. Den svenska riksdagen stödjer motion om "Självförsörjning av mat i Sverige" och behovet av innovativa lösningar för matförsörjning i landet. Denna forskning fyller en kunskapsbrist i den svenska litteraturen om jordlösa odlingssystem såsom aeroponiska, akvaponiska, hydroponiska och vertikala odlingar. Syftet med studien är att sammanfatta den befintliga kunskapen om dessa alternativa odlingsmetoder och klargöra deras fördelar i en urban miljö. Denna studie strävar att stödja företag och lokala myndigheter vid implementering av alternativa odlingsmetoder, genom att studera de alternativa odlingsmetodernas avkastning i förhållande till resursanvändning. Studien har samlat exempel från forskningsartiklar och företags-hemsidor som använde de ovan nämnda alternativa odlingsmetoder som sedan analyserats och jämfört deras avkastning med traditionella jordbaserade odlingar såsom åker odlingar och växthusbaserade odlingar. Med den statistisk analys som gjorts har vi funnit att vertikal hydroponisk odling visar den högsta avkastningen per yta jämfört med de andra alternativa odlingsmetoderna och traditionella odlingar. Vi har dessutom fastställt att hydroponiska odlingar använder minst vatten per kg skörd i jämförelse med andra metoder. Studien betonar vikten av att fokusera på organisatoriska och statliga lösningar för att öka självförsörjningsgraden på lokal och nationell nivå. Medan privatpersoner kan vara självförsörjande med grönsaker och frukt på en normalstor tomt, kan det vara svårt för alla privatpersoner att upprätthålla en egen grönsaksträdgård och undvika skador på marken och ekosystemtjänsterna i staden. Därmed riktar vi denna studie till kommunen och staten som ett stöd för att säkerställa självförsörjning på en lokal och regional nivå. För att uppnå hållbar samhällsutveckling och stödja självförsörjning av mat i Sverige, är integreringen av alternativa urba

Major part of the aesthetics and beauty of idols, textiles, paper, paintings industries, etc. finds its roots in the use of colours (azo compound). These synthetic dyes can not degrade easily by physical and chemical means and are toxic for the environment and animals including humans. Even if they get degraded, it becomes difficult to get rid of the secondary toxic products. Microbes especially bacteria can be used which results cheap, eco friendly and complete degradation of azo dye products without production of any secondary toxic products (or secondary products with way lesser toxicity). Also, it requires no new chemical to be added (in an attempt to degrade azo dye) in an already polluted environment, as the bacterial enzymes would do the job without requiring any other added chemicals. This review article discusses the use of bacteria for azo dye degradation, the bacterial enzymes such as laccase etc. that degrade azo dye and how they work to decolourise the dyes, the common genetic elements found in the different bacteria that can degrade azo dye. This article also includes information on future prospects and some genetically modified organism (GMO) that are being/ (can be) brought to use for dye degradation and pollution reduction.

Xylan that comprises roughly 25% of hardwood biomass is undesirable in biorefinery applications involving saccharification and fermentation. Efforts to reduce xylan levels have therefore been made in many species, usually resulting in improved saccharification. However, such modified plants have not yet been tested under field conditions. Here we evaluate the field performance of transgenic hybrid aspen lines with reduced xylan levels and assess their usefulness as short-rotation feedstocks for biorefineries. Three types of transgenic lines were tested in four-year field tests with RNAi constructs targeting either Populus GT43 clades B and C (GT43BC) corresponding to Arabidopsis clades IRX9 and IRX14, respectively, involved in xylan backbone biosynthesis, GATL1.1 corresponding to AtGALT1 involved in xylan reducing end sequence biosynthesis, or ASPR1 encoding an atypical aspartate protease. Their productivity, wood quality traits, and saccharification efficiency were analyzed. The only lines differing significantly from the wild type with respect to growth and biotic stress resistance were the ASPR1 lines, whose stems were roughly 10% shorter and narrower and leaves showed increased arthropod damage. GT43BC lines exhibited no growth advantage in the field despite their superior growth in greenhouse experiments. Wood from the ASPR1 and GT43BC lines had slightly reduced density due to thinner cell walls and, in the case of ASPR1, larger cell diameters. The xylan was less extractable by alkali but more hydrolysable by acid, had increased glucuronosylation, and its content was reduced in all three types of transgenic lines. The hemicellulose size distribution in the GALT1.1 and ASPR1 lines was skewed towards higher molecular mass compared to the wild type. These results provide experimental evidence that GATL1.1 functions in xylan biosynthesis and suggest that ASPR1 may regulate this process. In saccharification without pretreatment, lines of all three constructs provide

Disruptive technological innovation is the contemporary face of innovation and a dominant force in society. Change is occurring faster and upsetting existing scientific and technical policy systems. Entrepreneurs and innovators, drawing on a folk economic model of regulation, often believe that regulation cannot keep up with the pace of change and therefore policy makers should stay out of their way. Like many folk models, this perception of regulation-as-intrinsic-impediment-to-innovation may sometimes be true but it is not always true. Worse yet, this folk perception of regulators-as-impediment leads entrepreneurs and innovators to ignore opportunities to co-create beneficial regulations and instead create their own bad outcomes by prompting regulators to craft draconian regulations in response to entrepreneurs’ malicious non-compliance.Innovators thus oppose regulation not because they’ve had bad experiences but because they think they will in the future. A popular version of this folk economic model of regulation brandishes the word “disrupt” while storming the halls of stodgy industries and regulatory agencies. Despite this contemporary disruptive innovation narrative, substantial technological change is not a recent invention (though it may be accelerating). The reified economic rhetoric of the folk economic model has convinced disruptive entrepreneurs that regulation is a dirty word synonymous with state inadequacy. Although never perfect and sometimes inadequate, regulators have invariably adapted to technological change. This project explains how regulators have before, are now, and can again become allies of innovators when entrepreneurs look past limiting preconceptions. Regulatory scholars who study actually-existing regulation will recognize the folk economic model as an extreme version of “capture” within “command and control” regulation (c.f. Carpenter and Moss 2014b; Slayton and Clark-Ginsberg 2018). They have repeatedly demonstrated the deceptive in

Xylan that comprises roughly 25% of hardwood biomass is undesirable in biorefinery applications involving saccharification and fermentation. Efforts to reduce xylan levels have therefore been made in many species, usually resulting in improved saccharification. However, such modified plants have not yet been tested under field conditions. Here we evaluate the field performance of transgenic hybrid aspen lines with reduced xylan levels and assess their usefulness as short-rotation feedstocks for biorefineries. Three types of transgenic lines were tested in four-year field tests with RNAi constructs targeting either Populus GT43 clades B and C (GT43BC) corresponding to Arabidopsis clades IRX9 and IRX14, respectively, involved in xylan backbone biosynthesis, GATL1.1 corresponding to AtGALT1 involved in xylan reducing end sequence biosynthesis, or ASPR1 encoding an atypical aspartate protease. Their productivity, wood quality traits, and saccharification efficiency were analyzed. The only lines differing significantly from the wild type with respect to growth and biotic stress resistance were the ASPR1 lines, whose stems were roughly 10% shorter and narrower and leaves showed increased arthropod damage. GT43BC lines exhibited no growth advantage in the field despite their superior growth in greenhouse experiments. Wood from the ASPR1 and GT43BC lines had slightly reduced density due to thinner cell walls and, in the case of ASPR1, larger cell diameters. The xylan was less extractable by alkali but more hydrolysable by acid, had increased glucuronosylation, and its content was reduced in all three types of transgenic lines. The hemicellulose size distribution in the GALT1.1 and ASPR1 lines was skewed towards higher molecular mass compared to the wild type. These results provide experimental evidence that GATL1.1 functions in xylan biosynthesis and suggest that ASPR1 may regulate this process. In saccharification without pretreatment, lines of all three constructs provide, QC 20230818

Xylan that comprises roughly 25% of hardwood biomass is undesirable in biorefinery applications involving saccharification and fermentation. Efforts to reduce xylan levels have therefore been made in many species, usually resulting in improved saccharification. However, such modified plants have not yet been tested under field conditions. Here we evaluate the field performance of transgenic hybrid aspen lines with reduced xylan levels and assess their usefulness as short-rotation feedstocks for biorefineries. Three types of transgenic lines were tested in four-year field tests with RNAi constructs targeting either Populus GT43 clades B and C (GT43BC) corresponding to Arabidopsis clades IRX9 and IRX14, respectively, involved in xylan backbone biosynthesis, GATL1.1 corresponding to AtGALT1 involved in xylan reducing end sequence biosynthesis, or ASPR1 encoding an atypical aspartate protease. Their productivity, wood quality traits, and saccharification efficiency were analyzed. The only lines differing significantly from the wild type with respect to growth and biotic stress resistance were the ASPR1 lines, whose stems were roughly 10% shorter and narrower and leaves showed increased arthropod damage. GT43BC lines exhibited no growth advantage in the field despite their superior growth in greenhouse experiments. Wood from the ASPR1 and GT43BC lines had slightly reduced density due to thinner cell walls and, in the case of ASPR1, larger cell diameters. The xylan was less extractable by alkali but more hydrolysable by acid, had increased glucuronosylation, and its content was reduced in all three types of transgenic lines. The hemicellulose size distribution in the GALT1.1 and ASPR1 lines was skewed towards higher molecular mass compared to the wild type. These results provide experimental evidence that GATL1.1 functions in xylan biosynthesis and suggest that ASPR1 may regulate this process. In saccharification without pretreatment, lines of all three constructs provide

Xylan that comprises roughly 25% of hardwood biomass is undesirable in biorefinery applications involving saccharification and fermentation. Efforts to reduce xylan levels have therefore been made in many species, usually resulting in improved saccharification. However, such modified plants have not yet been tested under field conditions. Here we evaluate the field performance of transgenic hybrid aspen lines with reduced xylan levels and assess their usefulness as short-rotation feedstocks for biorefineries. Three types of transgenic lines were tested in four-year field tests with RNAi constructs targeting either Populus GT43 clades B and C (GT43BC) corresponding to Arabidopsis clades IRX9 and IRX14, respectively, involved in xylan backbone biosynthesis, GATL1.1 corresponding to AtGALT1 involved in xylan reducing end sequence biosynthesis, or ASPR1 encoding an atypical aspartate protease. Their productivity, wood quality traits, and saccharification efficiency were analyzed. The only lines differing significantly from the wild type with respect to growth and biotic stress resistance were the ASPR1 lines, whose stems were roughly 10% shorter and narrower and leaves showed increased arthropod damage. GT43BC lines exhibited no growth advantage in the field despite their superior growth in greenhouse experiments. Wood from the ASPR1 and GT43BC lines had slightly reduced density due to thinner cell walls and, in the case of ASPR1, larger cell diameters. The xylan was less extractable by alkali but more hydrolysable by acid, had increased glucuronosylation, and its content was reduced in all three types of transgenic lines. The hemicellulose size distribution in the GALT1.1 and ASPR1 lines was skewed towards higher molecular mass compared to the wild type. These results provide experimental evidence that GATL1.1 functions in xylan biosynthesis and suggest that ASPR1 may regulate this process. In saccharification without pretreatment, lines of all three constructs provide

Xylan that comprises roughly 25% of hardwood biomass is undesirable in biorefinery applications involving saccharification and fermentation. Efforts to reduce xylan levels have therefore been made in many species, usually resulting in improved saccharification. However, such modified plants have not yet been tested under field conditions. Here we evaluate the field performance of transgenic hybrid aspen lines with reduced xylan levels and assess their usefulness as short-rotation feedstocks for biorefineries. Three types of transgenic lines were tested in four-year field tests with RNAi constructs targeting either Populus GT43 clades B and C (GT43BC) corresponding to Arabidopsis clades IRX9 and IRX14, respectively, involved in xylan backbone biosynthesis, GATL1.1 corresponding to AtGALT1 involved in xylan reducing end sequence biosynthesis, or ASPR1 encoding an atypical aspartate protease. Their productivity, wood quality traits, and saccharification efficiency were analyzed. The only lines differing significantly from the wild type with respect to growth and biotic stress resistance were the ASPR1 lines, whose stems were roughly 10% shorter and narrower and leaves showed increased arthropod damage. GT43BC lines exhibited no growth advantage in the field despite their superior growth in greenhouse experiments. Wood from the ASPR1 and GT43BC lines had slightly reduced density due to thinner cell walls and, in the case of ASPR1, larger cell diameters. The xylan was less extractable by alkali but more hydrolysable by acid, had increased glucuronosylation, and its content was reduced in all three types of transgenic lines. The hemicellulose size distribution in the GALT1.1 and ASPR1 lines was skewed towards higher molecular mass compared to the wild type. These results provide experimental evidence that GATL1.1 functions in xylan biosynthesis and suggest that ASPR1 may regulate this process. In saccharification without pretreatment, lines of all three constructs provide

Xylan that comprises roughly 25% of hardwood biomass is undesirable in biorefinery applications involving saccharification and fermentation. Efforts to reduce xylan levels have therefore been made in many species, usually resulting in improved saccharification. However, such modified plants have not yet been tested under field conditions. Here we evaluate the field performance of transgenic hybrid aspen lines with reduced xylan levels and assess their usefulness as short-rotation feedstocks for biorefineries. Three types of transgenic lines were tested in four-year field tests with RNAi constructs targeting either Populus GT43 clades B and C (GT43BC) corresponding to Arabidopsis clades IRX9 and IRX14, respectively, involved in xylan backbone biosynthesis, GATL1.1 corresponding to AtGALT1 involved in xylan reducing end sequence biosynthesis, or ASPR1 encoding an atypical aspartate protease. Their productivity, wood quality traits, and saccharification efficiency were analyzed. The only lines differing significantly from the wild type with respect to growth and biotic stress resistance were the ASPR1 lines, whose stems were roughly 10% shorter and narrower and leaves showed increased arthropod damage. GT43BC lines exhibited no growth advantage in the field despite their superior growth in greenhouse experiments. Wood from the ASPR1 and GT43BC lines had slightly reduced density due to thinner cell walls and, in the case of ASPR1, larger cell diameters. The xylan was less extractable by alkali but more hydrolysable by acid, had increased glucuronosylation, and its content was reduced in all three types of transgenic lines. The hemicellulose size distribution in the GALT1.1 and ASPR1 lines was skewed towards higher molecular mass compared to the wild type. These results provide experimental evidence that GATL1.1 functions in xylan biosynthesis and suggest that ASPR1 may regulate this process. In saccharification without pretreatment, lines of all three constructs provide

Major part of the aesthetics and beauty of idols, textiles, paper, paintings industries, etc. finds its roots in the use of colours (azo compound). These synthetic dyes can not degrade easily by physical and chemical means and are toxic for the environment and animals including humans. Even if they get degraded, it becomes difficult to get rid of the secondary toxic products. Microbes especially bacteria can be used which results cheap, eco friendly and complete degradation of azo dye products without production of any secondary toxic products (or secondary products with way lesser toxicity). Also, it requires no new chemical to be added (in an attempt to degrade azo dye) in an already polluted environment, as the bacterial enzymes would do the job without requiring any other added chemicals. This review article discusses the use of bacteria for azo dye degradation, the bacterial enzymes such as laccase etc. that degrade azo dye and how they work to decolourise the dyes, the common genetic elements found in the different bacteria that can degrade azo dye. This article also includes information on future prospects and some genetically modified organism (GMO) that are being/ (can be) brought to use for dye degradation and pollution reduction.

Argentina is a pioneer in practicing export-oriented extractivism as a model of socio-economic development. A prevalent extractive project is genetically modified (GM) soy, which was adopted under neoliberal governance in the 1990s and has had a variety of socio-environmental consequences in the country. During the progressive, Peronist, ‘post-neoliberal’ Kirchner administrations (2003-2015), government ties to anti-GM social movements were established, but soy cultivation continued. Since 2019, Argentina is again governed by a Peronist government, led by President Alberto Fernández. Through a Gramscian framework, this study explores the significance of current Peronism in government for the continuance of GM soy cultivation, examines responses to this model by socio-environmental movements, and challenges to advance alternatives. The empirical data was generated through semi-structured interviews and participant observation during fieldwork in Argentina between February-April 2023. Results show that contemporary Peronism in government enables the continuation of the extractivist development model and GM soy cultivation through its political contradictions, reproducing the material structure and exercising passivizing patronage politics within civil society. Socio-environmental movements reject the soy model, largely perceiving the current government as more pro-agribusiness than previous Kirchnerism. Their strategies to counter the model aim at advancing counterhegemonic perceptions in civil society through a war of position and, in some cases, practicing what can be seen as a war of movement using judicial mechanisms. Main challenges to advancing alternatives include the multifaceted power of the current development model and its reproduction through consent and coercion, financial challenges for movements, and political disagreements among these regarding relations to Peronism in government.

The European Commission requested the Panel on Genetically Modified Organisms of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA GMO Panel) to assess new scientific information on maize MIR162, and to indicate whether the previous conclusions on the safety of maize MIR162 as a single event and as a part of stacked events remain valid. The new information is included in a European patent that reports a decrease in male fertility in some MIR162 inbred lines, pointing to a potential link between such decrease and the Vip3 protein expressed by maize MIR162. The EFSA GMO Panel evaluated the data provided by the patent owner and found scarce support for a causal link between Vip3 and decreased fertility. The general hypothesis of an association between event MIR162 and altered fertility could not be confirmed. The EFSA GMO Panel conducted the safety assessment based on the conservative assumption that such an association exists. The EFSA GMO Panel concluded that a decrease in male fertility would have no impact on the previous conclusions on maize MIR162 and stacked events containing MIR162.

A genome-edited agricultural product that is proven to contain no exogenous DNA is not subject to genetically modified organism (GMO) regulations in some countries. However, whether such proof is definitive is often disputed. We discuss the approaches to substantially proving that a genome-edited organism is not GMO, while considering social aspects.

A genome-edited agricultural product that is proven to contain no exogenous DNA is not subject to genetically modified organism (GMO) regulations in some countries. However, whether such proof is definitive is often disputed. We discuss the approaches to substantially proving that a genome-edited organism is not GMO, while considering social aspects.

Genetically modified (GM) soybean 40-3-2 expresses a 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase protein from Agrobacterium sp. strain CP4 (CP4 EPSPS), which confers tolerance to glyphosate. This event was previously assessed by the GMO Panel as a single event and as part of a two-event stack and was found to be as safe as its conventional counterparts and other appropriate comparators with respect to potential effects on human and animal health and the environment. On September 2021, the European Commission requested EFSA to evaluate a new bioinformatics study which revealed predicted genomic deletions at the insertion sites using the available soybean reference genome. Considering the variability of the soybean genome, with a number of structural variants such as presence/absence variants and copy number variants including genic regions, as well as the fact that a number of genes are present only in particular varieties, the GMO Panel concludes that comparing only to the reference genome does not allow to conclude that the transformation event resulted in gene loss. In support of this, the transcriptomic analysis did not show major differences in gene expression when comparing the soybean 40-3-2 with the most closely related conventional variety, indicating that the genetic redundancy may compensate for the potential gene loss. Moreover, the composition, phenotypic and agronomic analyses already assessed by the GMO Panel in previous opinions did not show differences between soybean 40-3-2 and its comparators suggesting that the potential gene loss may not have a significant phenotypic effect in soybean 40-3-2. For these reasons, the EFSA GMO Panel concludes that the new information provided by the applicant on soybean 40-3-2 does not alter EFSA's previous conclusions.

In a previous scientific opinion on application EFSA-GMO-BE-2016-138, the EFSA Panel on Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO Panel) could not conclude on the comparative analysis and on the food/feed safety assessment of genetically modified (GM) oilseed rape (OSR) MS11 because of the lack of an appropriate compositional data set. Following a request from the European Commission, the GMO Panel assessed additional information related to OSR MS11 to complement the original scientific opinion. The GMO Panel concluded that the information submitted (on the composition of the two-event stack MS11 × RF3) could not be used for the assessment of the composition of OSR MS11 and requested the applicant to perform a complementary set of field trials to generate additional data. The applicant did not perform the requested field trials and did not provide any new experimental data on the composition of OSR MS11. Hence, the GMO Panel is still not in the position to conclude on either the compositional analysis or the toxicological, allergenicity or nutritional assessment of OSR MS11. Therefore, the previous conclusions of the GMO Panel still hold.

Plant diseases represent a major constraint on agricultural production. Finding sustainable novel means for their control is an important challenge. The ever-increasing knowledge and understanding of plant-microbe interactions has led to several ingenious transgenic approaches to combat disease. The first transgenic disease-resistant plants expressed single or a few stacked genes encoding antimicrobial proteins. Whereas the first attempts were disappointing in the field, several examples from recent field studies are promising and some of these use ingenious designer approaches. Less progress has been made with antimicrobial metabolites where the challenges lie in obtaining biosynthetic genes and in coordinating their expression. The increased understanding of the processes regulating plant defence (plant immunity) and modes of action of pathogen effector proteins have also led to novel strategies for designing resistant plants. The most promising of these is host-induced gene silencing that targets specific pathogens, either the effectors or, preferably, essential housekeeping genes. With these approaches, and several maverick examples of "genes pulled out of a hat," the technical effort in designing resistant plants is finally paying off. The prospects are good, biologically speaking, but can industry deliver? There is still an issue of public acceptance of genetic engineering of crop plants, especially in Europe; so whilst considerable strategic and practical progress has been made over the last decade, vanishingly few products have been adopted by agriculture. Some of these have been in use for over two decades. As yet, all are against viral diseases and not against diseases caused by microorganisms.

The discussion about the impact of agricultural biotechnology on Africa is deeply divided and contains widely diverging claims about the impact of biotechnology on African farmers. Building upon literature on the ‘good farmer’ that highlights that farmers identities are an important factor in explaining the success or failure of agricultural change, we argue that the identity of the farmer is an undervalued yet crucial aspect for understanding the debate about the impact of agricultural biotechnology on African farmers. In this article we therefore investigate what farmers’ identities are implicated in the arguments about the impact of biotechnology on African farmers. We aim to identify the main fault lines in different accounts of the African biotechnology farmer by analysing the identities ascribed to them in two prominent cases of controversy: the debates at the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg and the discussion about the impact of biotechnology on smallholder farmers in the Makhathini flats in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. Our findings demonstrate that arguments about biotechnology are informed by diverging conceptions of who the African farmer is, what is important for the African farmer, and what role the African farmer has in relation to agricultural biotechnology. These findings remain relevant for current discussions on gene editing technologies like CRISPR-Cas. Openly discussing these different views on the identity of smallholder farmers is crucial for moving forward in the biotechnology controversy and can inform future attempts to elicit the farmer’s voice.

Objections to the current EU regulatory system on genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in terms of high cost and lack of consistency, speed and scientific underpinning have prompted proposals for a more technology-neutral system. We sketch the conceptual background of the notion of ‘technology neutrality’ and propose a refined definition of the term. The proposed definition implies that technology neutrality of a regulatory system is a gradual and multidimensional feature. We use the definition to analyze two regulatory reform proposals: One proposal from the Netherlands for improving the exemption mechanism for GMOs under Directive 2001/18/EC, and one from the Norwegian Biotechnology Advisory Board, outlining a new stratified risk assessment procedure. While both proposals offer some degree of improved technology neutrality in some dimensions compared to current EU regulation, in some extents and dimensions, they do not. We conclude that proposals for more technology-neutral regulation of GMOs need, first, to make explicit to what extent and in what dimensions the proposal improves neutrality and, second, to present arguments supporting that these specific improvements constitute desirable policy change against the background of objections to current policy., QC 20211221

This bachelor thesis aims to investigate how theories in rhetorics and narratology can be applied to and change the interpretation of information graphics. As a prototype a brochure about genetically modified food was made, a complex topic that can be interpreted in many ways. To identify the problem and target group an information overview about attitudes toward genetically modified food was made. The methods used for the thesis were prototyping and interviews. The results are showing that the interpretation of the brochure is dependent on sequential order and composition. This study also presents which elements that clarify the content and influence the credibility, such as narrator grip and illustrations., Denna studie undersöker hur teorier inom retorik och narratologi kan appliceras på och styra tolkningen av informationsgrafik. Som utprovningsmaterial skapades en broschyr om genmodifierad mat, ett komplext ämne som kan tolkas på många sätt. För att identifiera problem och målgrupp utfördes en informationsöversikt kring attityder till genmodifierad mat. De metoder som sedan användes är prototyping och intervjuer. Resultatet visar att broschyrens budskap tolkas olika beroende på sekventiell ordning och komposition. Arbetet redogör även för vilka element som förtydligar innehållet och har en inverkan på trovärdighet, såsom berättargrepp och illustrationer.

This bachelor thesis aims to investigate how theories in rhetorics and narratology can be applied to and change the interpretation of information graphics. As a prototype a brochure about genetically modified food was made, a complex topic that can be interpreted in many ways. To identify the problem and target group an information overview about attitudes toward genetically modified food was made. The methods used for the thesis were prototyping and interviews. The results are showing that the interpretation of the brochure is dependent on sequential order and composition. This study also presents which elements that clarify the content and influence the credibility, such as narrator grip and illustrations., Denna studie undersöker hur teorier inom retorik och narratologi kan appliceras på och styra tolkningen av informationsgrafik. Som utprovningsmaterial skapades en broschyr om genmodifierad mat, ett komplext ämne som kan tolkas på många sätt. För att identifiera problem och målgrupp utfördes en informationsöversikt kring attityder till genmodifierad mat. De metoder som sedan användes är prototyping och intervjuer. Resultatet visar att broschyrens budskap tolkas olika beroende på sekventiell ordning och komposition. Arbetet redogör även för vilka element som förtydligar innehållet och har en inverkan på trovärdighet, såsom berättargrepp och illustrationer.

Background: Various databases on genetically modified organisms (GMOs) exist, all with their specific focus to facilitate access to information needed for, e. g., the assistance in risk assessment, the development of detection and identification strategies or inspection and control activities. Each database has its unique approach towards the subject. Often these databases use different terminology to describe the GMOs. For adequate GMO addressing and identification and exchange of GMO-related information it is necessary to use commonly agreed upon concepts and terminology. Result: A hierarchically structured controlled vocabulary describing the genetic elements inserted into conventional GMOs, and GMOs developed by the use of gen(om)e-editing is presented: the GMO genetic element thesaurus (GMO-GET). GMO-GET can be used for GMO-related documentation, including GMO-related databases. It has initially been developed on the basis of two GMO databases, i.e. the Biosafety Clearing-House and the EUginius database. Conclusion: The use of GMO-GET will enable consistent and compatible information (harmonisation), also allowing an accurate exchange of information between the different data systems and thereby facilitating their interoperability. GMO-GET can also be used to describe genetic elements that are altered in organisms obtained through current targeted genome-editing techniques.

Экспорт меда из Украины растет быстрыми темпами. Увеличиваются продажи меда в Евросоюз. Квоты ЕС на экспорт меда возросли до 8100 т. Однако в 2018 году он снизился на 25 %. Преобладающими причинами этого являлось выявление в отдельных пробах меда антибиотиков, ГМО [9]. Актуальным направлением развития технологий пчеловодства Украины является повышение безопасности и качества продукции отрасли для внутреннего рынка и экспорта [5]. На основании многочисленных научных исследований и публикаций возникло подозрение о токсическом, канцерогенном, иммунодепрессивном действие генномодифицированных объектов на животных, насекомых, людей. В живой природе проходит непредвиденное мутагенное загрязнения окружающей среды с непрогнозируемым воздействием на биоразнообразие, всю биоту., Експорт меду з України зростає швидкими темпами. Збільшуються продажи меду в Євросоюз. Квоти ЄС на експорт меду зросли до 8100 т. Проте в 2018 році він знизився на 25%. Переважаючими причинами цього було виявлення в окремих пробах меду антибіотиків, ГМО [9]. Актуальним напрямом розвитку технологій бджільництва України є підвищення безпеки і якості продукції галузі для внутрішнього ринку та експорту [5]. На підставі численних наукових досліджень і публікацій виникла підозра про токсичну, канцерогенну, імунодепресивну дію генномодифікованих об’єктів на тварин, комах, людей. У живій природі проходить непередбачене мутагенне забруднення навколишнього середовища з непрогнозованим впливом на біорізноманіття, всю біоту., Exports of honey from Ukraine are growing rapidly. Sales of honey to the European Union are increasing. The EU quotas for honey exports increased to 8100 tons. However, in 2018 it decreased by 25%. The predominant reasons for this were the detection of antibiotics and GMOs in individual honey samples [9]. An urgent direction in the development of beekeeping technologies in Ukraine is to improve the safety and quality of the industry's products for the domestic market and export [5]. On the basis of numerous scientific studies and publications, a suspicion arose about the toxic, carcinogenic, immunosuppressive effect of genetically modified objects on animals, insects, and humans. In wildlife there is an unforeseen mutagenic pollution of the environment with an unpredictable impact on biodiversity and the entire biota.

Экспорт меда из Украины растет быстрыми темпами. Увеличиваются продажи меда в Евросоюз. Квоты ЕС на экспорт меда возросли до 8100 т. Однако в 2018 году он снизился на 25 %. Преобладающими причинами этого являлось выявление в отдельных пробах меда антибиотиков, ГМО [9]. Актуальным направлением развития технологий пчеловодства Украины является повышение безопасности и качества продукции отрасли для внутреннего рынка и экспорта [5]. На основании многочисленных научных исследований и публикаций возникло подозрение о токсическом, канцерогенном, иммунодепрессивном действие генномодифицированных объектов на животных, насекомых, людей. В живой природе проходит непредвиденное мутагенное загрязнения окружающей среды с непрогнозируемым воздействием на биоразнообразие, всю биоту., Експорт меду з України зростає швидкими темпами. Збільшуються продажи меду в Євросоюз. Квоти ЄС на експорт меду зросли до 8100 т. Проте в 2018 році він знизився на 25%. Переважаючими причинами цього було виявлення в окремих пробах меду антибіотиків, ГМО [9]. Актуальним напрямом розвитку технологій бджільництва України є підвищення безпеки і якості продукції галузі для внутрішнього ринку та експорту [5]. На підставі численних наукових досліджень і публікацій виникла підозра про токсичну, канцерогенну, імунодепресивну дію генномодифікованих об’єктів на тварин, комах, людей. У живій природі проходить непередбачене мутагенне забруднення навколишнього середовища з непрогнозованим впливом на біорізноманіття, всю біоту., Exports of honey from Ukraine are growing rapidly. Sales of honey to the European Union are increasing. The EU quotas for honey exports increased to 8100 tons. However, in 2018 it decreased by 25%. The predominant reasons for this were the detection of antibiotics and GMOs in individual honey samples [9]. An urgent direction in the development of beekeeping technologies in Ukraine is to improve the safety and quality of the industry's products for the domestic market and export [5]. On the basis of numerous scientific studies and publications, a suspicion arose about the toxic, carcinogenic, immunosuppressive effect of genetically modified objects on animals, insects, and humans. In wildlife there is an unforeseen mutagenic pollution of the environment with an unpredictable impact on biodiversity and the entire biota.

Экспорт меда из Украины растет быстрыми темпами. Увеличиваются продажи меда в Евросоюз. Квоты ЕС на экспорт меда возросли до 8100 т. Однако в 2018 году он снизился на 25 %. Преобладающими причинами этого являлось выявление в отдельных пробах меда антибиотиков, ГМО [9]. Актуальным направлением развития технологий пчеловодства Украины является повышение безопасности и качества продукции отрасли для внутреннего рынка и экспорта [5]. На основании многочисленных научных исследований и публикаций возникло подозрение о токсическом, канцерогенном, иммунодепрессивном действие генномодифицированных объектов на животных, насекомых, людей. В живой природе проходит непредвиденное мутагенное загрязнения окружающей среды с непрогнозируемым воздействием на биоразнообразие, всю биоту., Експорт меду з України зростає швидкими темпами. Збільшуються продажи меду в Євросоюз. Квоти ЄС на експорт меду зросли до 8100 т. Проте в 2018 році він знизився на 25%. Переважаючими причинами цього було виявлення в окремих пробах меду антибіотиків, ГМО [9]. Актуальним напрямом розвитку технологій бджільництва України є підвищення безпеки і якості продукції галузі для внутрішнього ринку та експорту [5]. На підставі численних наукових досліджень і публікацій виникла підозра про токсичну, канцерогенну, імунодепресивну дію генномодифікованих об’єктів на тварин, комах, людей. У живій природі проходить непередбачене мутагенне забруднення навколишнього середовища з непрогнозованим впливом на біорізноманіття, всю біоту., Exports of honey from Ukraine are growing rapidly. Sales of honey to the European Union are increasing. The EU quotas for honey exports increased to 8100 tons. However, in 2018 it decreased by 25%. The predominant reasons for this were the detection of antibiotics and GMOs in individual honey samples [9]. An urgent direction in the development of beekeeping technologies in Ukraine is to improve the safety and quality of the industry's products for the domestic market and export [5]. On the basis of numerous scientific studies and publications, a suspicion arose about the toxic, carcinogenic, immunosuppressive effect of genetically modified objects on animals, insects, and humans. In wildlife there is an unforeseen mutagenic pollution of the environment with an unpredictable impact on biodiversity and the entire biota.

Экспорт меда из Украины растет быстрыми темпами. Увеличиваются продажи меда в Евросоюз. Квоты ЕС на экспорт меда возросли до 8100 т. Однако в 2018 году он снизился на 25 %. Преобладающими причинами этого являлось выявление в отдельных пробах меда антибиотиков, ГМО [9]. Актуальным направлением развития технологий пчеловодства Украины является повышение безопасности и качества продукции отрасли для внутреннего рынка и экспорта [5]. На основании многочисленных научных исследований и публикаций возникло подозрение о токсическом, канцерогенном, иммунодепрессивном действие генномодифицированных объектов на животных, насекомых, людей. В живой природе проходит непредвиденное мутагенное загрязнения окружающей среды с непрогнозируемым воздействием на биоразнообразие, всю биоту., Експорт меду з України зростає швидкими темпами. Збільшуються продажи меду в Євросоюз. Квоти ЄС на експорт меду зросли до 8100 т. Проте в 2018 році він знизився на 25%. Переважаючими причинами цього було виявлення в окремих пробах меду антибіотиків, ГМО [9]. Актуальним напрямом розвитку технологій бджільництва України є підвищення безпеки і якості продукції галузі для внутрішнього ринку та експорту [5]. На підставі численних наукових досліджень і публікацій виникла підозра про токсичну, канцерогенну, імунодепресивну дію генномодифікованих об’єктів на тварин, комах, людей. У живій природі проходить непередбачене мутагенне забруднення навколишнього середовища з непрогнозованим впливом на біорізноманіття, всю біоту., Exports of honey from Ukraine are growing rapidly. Sales of honey to the European Union are increasing. The EU quotas for honey exports increased to 8100 tons. However, in 2018 it decreased by 25%. The predominant reasons for this were the detection of antibiotics and GMOs in individual honey samples [9]. An urgent direction in the development of beekeeping technologies in Ukraine is to improve the safety and quality of the industry's products for the domestic market and export [5]. On the basis of numerous scientific studies and publications, a suspicion arose about the toxic, carcinogenic, immunosuppressive effect of genetically modified objects on animals, insects, and humans. In wildlife there is an unforeseen mutagenic pollution of the environment with an unpredictable impact on biodiversity and the entire biota.

We discuss options to reform the EU genetically modified organism (GMO) regulatory framework, make risk assessment and decision-making more consistent with scientific principles, and lay the groundwork for international coherence. In this third of three articles, we focus on labeling and coexistence as well as discuss the political reality and potential ways forward., Not duplicate with DiVA 1413755.Not duplicate with DiVA 1597019.QC 20200714. QC 20210923.

En växande global befolkning och tilltagande problem med klimatförändringar är starkt bidragande faktorer till ett ökande behov av mer hållbara och näringsrika livsmedel, varav ett livsmedelsalternativ som har presenterats är ätbara insekter. Konceptet med ätbara insekter är relativt nytt i Västvärlden och speciellt i Sverige där engagemanget inom fältet fortfarande är väldigt begränsat. För att bidra till en eventuell marknadsintroduktion av ätbara insekter har ett litet antal involverade aktörer en central roll för frågans utveckling. Därmed är syftet med denna studie att analysera hur involverade aktörer ser på marknadsintroduktion av ätbara insekter i Sverige. Syftet är även i ljuset av forskning om ätbara insekter och tidigare debatt om genmanipulerade grödor (GMO) bidra till en vidare diskussion om möjligheter för användningen av ätbara insekter i Sverige. Analysen och slutsatser från studien visar att aktörerna ser positivt på en marknadsintroduktion av ätbara insekter både som livsmedel och foder, men endast som en väldigt begränsad del av Sveriges livsmedelssystem. Utifrån aktörers syn och även tidigare forskning är det möjligt att introducera ätbara insekter på marknaden. Det finns dock även flera faktorer som kan hindra marknadsintroduktionen i Sverige. Exempelvis träder en ojämn konkurrenssituation mellan länder fram i analysen som ett möjligt hinder för införandet: en del länder som Nederländerna har kommit längre i processer i fråga om ätbara insekter, vilket kan minska motivationen hos svenska företagare och andra aktörer att utvecklas inom branschen. Orsaken till detta är diverse tolkningar av den ursprungliga förordningen för nya livsmedel (EU) No. 258/97 som innebar oklarheter angående ätbara insekter., The climate change and the growing global population have led to a need for new, more sustainable, and nutritious sources of food. Edible insects are one of the presented alternative solutions to cope with the problem. The concept is relatively new in the Western world, especially in Sweden where the involvement in the field is limited. In order to contribute to the market introduction of edible insects, the dedication of different actors in the field has a central role in this issue. Consequently, the aim of this study is to analyse how actors involved in the edible insects network perceive the market introduction of edible insects in Sweden. The aim is also to contribute to a further discussion on possibilities for the use of edible insects in Sweden in the light of the introduction of GMOs. The analysis and the conclusions from the study show that the actors have relatively positive perceptions of a market introduction of edible insects both as food and feed, though only as a relatively limited part of the national food system. Based on the actors´ views and previous studies there are opportunities to introduce edible insects to the Swedish market. However, there are several factors that can hinder the market introduction in Sweden. For example, competition between countries has been highlighted as a possible obstacle: the original novel food regulation had led to different interpretations between countries concerning edible insects, which included differences between Western countries in possibilities to introduce insects to the market. Countries such as the Netherlands have more conducive market conditions and have already had insects on the market for several years, while in Sweden the market is still negligible, which can lead to lack of motivation to develop this branch of industry.

A bibliographic database of scientific papers published by authors affiliated to research institutions worldwide, especially focused in Europe and in the European Atlantic Area, and containing the keywords “microalga(e)” or “phytoplankton” was built. A corpus of 79,020 publications was obtained and analyzed using the Orbit Intellixir software to characterize the research trends related to microalgae markets, markets opportunities and technologies that could have important impacts on markets evolution. Six major markets opportunities, the production of biofuels, bioplastics, biofertilizers, nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, and two fast-evolving technological domains driving markets evolution, microalgae harvesting and extraction technologies and production of genetically modified (GM-)microalgae, were highlighted. We here present an advanced analysis of these research domains to give an updated overview of scientific concepts driving microalgae markets.

Feeding a growing world population and adapting agricultural production to a changing climate is a significant challenge that can be mitigated through the use of new gene-editing technologies in crops. However, current regulatory processes are overly burdensome and confusing, have limited scientific innovation, and prevent the widespread production of genetically engineered (GE) crops. To address this, we propose the regulatory exemption of GE plants that have a previously-reviewed trait and mechanism of action, a unified and detailed web platform for applications for commercial approval, and the consolidation of federal regulatory communication to the USDA.

We discuss options to reform the EU genetically modified organisms (GMO) regulatory framework, make risk assessment and decision-making more consistent with scientific principles, and lay the groundwork for international coherence. The first in a three-part series, this article focuses on reform options related to the scope of the legislation and the GMO definition.

En växande global befolkning och tilltagande problem med klimatförändringar är starkt bidragande faktorer till ett ökande behov av mer hållbara och näringsrika livsmedel, varav ett livsmedelsalternativ som har presenterats är ätbara insekter. Konceptet med ätbara insekter är relativt nytt i Västvärlden och speciellt i Sverige där engagemanget inom fältet fortfarande är väldigt begränsat. För att bidra till en eventuell marknadsintroduktion av ätbara insekter har ett litet antal involverade aktörer en central roll för frågans utveckling. Därmed är syftet med denna studie att analysera hur involverade aktörer ser på marknadsintroduktion av ätbara insekter i Sverige. Syftet är även i ljuset av forskning om ätbara insekter och tidigare debatt om genmanipulerade grödor (GMO) bidra till en vidare diskussion om möjligheter för användningen av ätbara insekter i Sverige. Analysen och slutsatser från studien visar att aktörerna ser positivt på en marknadsintroduktion av ätbara insekter både som livsmedel och foder, men endast som en väldigt begränsad del av Sveriges livsmedelssystem. Utifrån aktörers syn och även tidigare forskning är det möjligt att introducera ätbara insekter på marknaden. Det finns dock även flera faktorer som kan hindra marknadsintroduktionen i Sverige. Exempelvis träder en ojämn konkurrenssituation mellan länder fram i analysen som ett möjligt hinder för införandet: en del länder som Nederländerna har kommit längre i processer i fråga om ätbara insekter, vilket kan minska motivationen hos svenska företagare och andra aktörer att utvecklas inom branschen. Orsaken till detta är diverse tolkningar av den ursprungliga förordningen för nya livsmedel (EU) No. 258/97 som innebar oklarheter angående ätbara insekter., The climate change and the growing global population have led to a need for new, more sustainable, and nutritious sources of food. Edible insects are one of the presented alternative solutions to cope with the problem. The concept is relatively new in the Western world, especially in Sweden where the involvement in the field is limited. In order to contribute to the market introduction of edible insects, the dedication of different actors in the field has a central role in this issue. Consequently, the aim of this study is to analyse how actors involved in the edible insects network perceive the market introduction of edible insects in Sweden. The aim is also to contribute to a further discussion on possibilities for the use of edible insects in Sweden in the light of the introduction of GMOs. The analysis and the conclusions from the study show that the actors have relatively positive perceptions of a market introduction of edible insects both as food and feed, though only as a relatively limited part of the national food system. Based on the actors´ views and previous studies there are opportunities to introduce edible insects to the Swedish market. However, there are several factors that can hinder the market introduction in Sweden. For example, competition between countries has been highlighted as a possible obstacle: the original novel food regulation had led to different interpretations between countries concerning edible insects, which included differences between Western countries in possibilities to introduce insects to the market. Countries such as the Netherlands have more conducive market conditions and have already had insects on the market for several years, while in Sweden the market is still negligible, which can lead to lack of motivation to develop this branch of industry.

Current trends in food production estimate we will need to massively increase agricultural yields by 2050 to meet demands. Attempts are being made to increase crop productivity via genetic modification (GM) and gene editing (GE), although GM has proved challenging as many species are difficult, if not impossible, to GM with current methods. To improve GM and GE alternative methods are being sought, and an area of interest is nanoparticles. Carbon-based nanoparticles, including carbon nanotubes, appeared to be effective in delivering genetic material, but could also result in tissue damage. This work examines carbon nanodots (CNDs) as a method for GM and GE. This cost-effective, simple method was applied in various ways to the model plant species, Arabidopsis thaliana, and to a crop species, Triticum aestivum, to determine how effective for GM and GE this method is in a common crop plant. CNDs were readily transported into plant tissues and appeared to travel via vascular tissues throughout the plant. CNDs conjugated with DNA based on electrostatic interactions and transported DNA it into cells, resulting in transient transformation. Foliar sprays were found to be the most effective method of application, with a higher average percentage of transformed cells in both plant species. GE did occur from CND treatment with a Spo11/GFP plasmid, with the CND GE methods being the first instance of spray on gene editing in Triticum aestivum. Stable transformation was not achieved, although future work may overcome this obstacle.

Feeding a growing world population and adapting agricultural production to a changing climate is a significant challenge that can be mitigated through the use of new gene-editing technologies in crops. However, current regulatory processes are overly burdensome and confusing, have limited scientific innovation, and prevent the widespread production of genetically engineered (GE) crops. To address this, we propose the regulatory exemption of GE plants that have a previously-reviewed trait and mechanism of action, a unified and detailed web platform for applications for commercial approval, and the consolidation of federal regulatory communication to the USDA.

A bibliographic database of scientific papers published by authors affiliated to research institutions worldwide, especially focused in Europe and in the European Atlantic Area, and containing the keywords “microalga(e)” or “phytoplankton” was built. A corpus of 79,020 publications was obtained and analyzed using the Orbit Intellixir software to characterize the research trends related to microalgae markets, markets opportunities and technologies that could have important impacts on markets evolution. Six major markets opportunities, the production of biofuels, bioplastics, biofertilizers, nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, and two fast-evolving technological domains driving markets evolution, microalgae harvesting and extraction technologies and production of genetically modified (GM-)microalgae, were highlighted. We here present an advanced analysis of these research domains to give an updated overview of scientific concepts driving microalgae markets.

Developments in applying biotechnology to crops have generated strong ethical and social debates about its use. This study was aimed at reviewing epidemiological evidence regarding the consumption of genetically modified foods and the possible effects on human health, particularly certain insect-resistant crops in which isolated Bacillum thurigiensisCry protein has been introduced. An in-depth review of databases was conducted for 2007-2019. Articles not referring to human health were excluded. In total, 1,350 were obtained and 118 were reviewed. As a result, it can be concluded that most studies have focused on chemical composition and in vitro or laboratory animal rials. Furthermore, the guiding principle of substantial equivalency, generally used today to evaluate potential health effects, should not replace rigorously evaluating products with nutritional, immunological, and toxicological trials. Lastly, this review demonstrates a lack of epidemiological evidence, and therefore, the safety of these foods cannot be conclusively determined based on evidence., El desarrollo de la biotecnología aplicada a los cultivos ha generado fuertes debates éticos y sociales sobre su uso. El presente estudio tuvo por objetivo revisar las evidencias epidemiológicas existentes relacionando el consumo de alimentos genéticamente modificados, en particular aquellos provenientes de cultivos con resistencia a algunos insectos plagas en los que se han introducido proteínas Cry aisladas de Bacillum thurigiensis con probables daños o trastornos en la salud de las personas. Se realizó una revisión en profundidad en el periodo 2007 a 2019, en bases de datos. Se excluyeron aquellos artículos que no hacían referencia a salud humana. Se obtuvieron 1 350 y finalmente se revisaron 118. La revisión permitió concluir que la mayoría de los estudios existentes se centran en información respecto a la composición química y ensayos in vitro o en laboratorio con animales. Igualmente, que el principio rector de equivalencia sustancial hoy utilizado en forma generalizada para la evaluación de potenciales efectos en salud, no debería sustituir la necesidad de una evaluación rigurosa de los productos incluyendo ensayos nutricionales, inmunológicos y toxicológicos. Por último se comprueba también que la evidencia epidemiológica incluida es insuficiente por lo que lo que no es posible concluir a partir de ella, sobre la inocuidad de estos alimentos.

A bibliographic database of scientific papers published by authors affiliated to research institutions worldwide, especially focused in Europe and in the European Atlantic Area, and containing the keywords “microalga(e)” or “phytoplankton” was built. A corpus of 79,020 publications was obtained and analyzed using the Orbit Intellixir software to characterize the research trends related to microalgae markets, markets opportunities and technologies that could have important impacts on markets evolution. Six major markets opportunities, the production of biofuels, bioplastics, biofertilizers, nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, and two fast-evolving technological domains driving markets evolution, microalgae harvesting and extraction technologies and production of genetically modified (GM-)microalgae, were highlighted. We here present an advanced analysis of these research domains to give an updated overview of scientific concepts driving microalgae markets.

We discuss options to reform the EU genetically modified organism (GMO) regulatory framework, make risk assessment and decision-making more consistent with scientific principles, and lay the groundwork for international coherence. In this third of three articles, we focus on labeling and coexistence as well as discuss the political reality and potential ways forward.

Current trends in food production estimate we will need to massively increase agricultural yields by 2050 to meet demands. Attempts are being made to increase crop productivity via genetic modification (GM) and gene editing (GE), although GM has proved challenging as many species are difficult, if not impossible, to GM with current methods. To improve GM and GE alternative methods are being sought, and an area of interest is nanoparticles. Carbon-based nanoparticles, including carbon nanotubes, appeared to be effective in delivering genetic material, but could also result in tissue damage. This work examines carbon nanodots (CNDs) as a method for GM and GE. This cost-effective, simple method was applied in various ways to the model plant species, Arabidopsis thaliana, and to a crop species, Triticum aestivum, to determine how effective for GM and GE this method is in a common crop plant. CNDs were readily transported into plant tissues and appeared to travel via vascular tissues throughout the plant. CNDs conjugated with DNA based on electrostatic interactions and transported DNA it into cells, resulting in transient transformation. Foliar sprays were found to be the most effective method of application, with a higher average percentage of transformed cells in both plant species. GE did occur from CND treatment with a Spo11/GFP plasmid, with the CND GE methods being the first instance of spray on gene editing in Triticum aestivum. Stable transformation was not achieved, although future work may overcome this obstacle.

The EFSA Panel on Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) previously assessed oilseed rape Ms8 × Rf3 × GT73 and its subcombinations Ms8 × GT73 and Rf3 × GT73 according to the scope as defined in the application EFSA¿GMO¿NL¿2009¿75, and was not in the position to complete the safety assessment of products rich in protein, such as rapeseed protein isolates or products of this nature in animal feeding. Following a mandate from the European Commission, the GMO Panel assessed a 28¿day toxicity study in mice with the glyphosate oxidoreductase (GOXv247) protein, provided to complement information related to application EFSA¿GMO¿NL¿2009¿75 for the placing on the market of oilseed rape Ms8 × Rf3 × GT73 and its subcombinations Ms8 × GT73 and Rf3 × GT73, for food and feed uses, import and processing, with the exception of isolated seed protein for food. The 28¿day toxicity study on Escherichia coli¿ produced GOXv247 protein did not show adverse effects in mice, at the gavage doses up to 1000 mg/kg body weight (bw) per day. Taking into account its previous assessment on EFSA¿GMO¿NL¿2009¿75 and the outcome of the 28¿day toxicity study in mice with the GOXv247 protein provided in this mandate, the GMO Panel, based on a weight of evidence approach, concludes that food and feed containing, consisting and produced from genetically modified oilseed rape Ms8 × Rf3 × GT73 and its sub combinations Ms8 × GT73 and Rf3 × GT73, are as safe as its conventional counterpart, according to the scope as defined in the application EFSA¿GMO¿NL¿2009¿75.

Oilseed rape MS11 has been developed to confer male sterility and tolerance to glufosinate‐ammonium‐containing herbicides. Based on the information provided in the application and in line with the scope of application EFSA‐GMO‐BE‐2016‐138, the genetically modified organism (GMO) Panel concludes that the molecular characterisation data and bioinformatic analyses do not identify issues requiring food/feed safety assessment. None of the identified differences in the agronomic/phenotypic characteristics tested between oilseed rape MS11 and its conventional counterpart needs further assessment. No conclusions can be drawn for the compositional analysis due to the lack of an appropriate compositional data set. No toxicological or allergenicity concerns are identified for the Barnase, Barstar and PAT/bar proteins expressed in oilseed rape MS11. Owing to the incompleteness of the compositional analysis, the toxicological, allergenicity and nutritional assessment of oilseed rape MS11 cannot be completed. In the case of accidental release of viable oilseed rape MS11 seeds into the environment, oilseed rape MS11 would not raise environmental safety concerns. The post‐market environmental monitoring plan and reporting intervals are in line with the scope of the application. Since oilseed rape MS11 is designed to be used only for the production of hybrid seed, it is not expected to be commercialised as a stand‐alone product for food/feed uses. Thus, seeds harvested from oilseed rape MS11 are not expected to enter the food/feed chain, except accidentally. In this context, the GMO Panel notes that, oilseed rape MS11 would not pose risk to humans and animals, while the scale of environmental exposure will be substantially reduced compared to a stand‐alone product.

Soybean MON 87705 × MON 87708 × MON 89788 (three‐event stack soybean) was produced by conventional crossing to combine three single soybean events: MON 87705, MON 87708 and MON 89788. This combination is intended to alter the fatty acid profile in the seed (in particular increasing the levels of oleic acid) and tolerance to glyphosate‐based and dicamba herbicides. The Genetically Modified Organisms Panel previously assessed the three single soybean events and did not identify safety concerns. No new data on the single soybean events, leading to modification of the original conclusions on their safety have been identified. The molecular characterisation, comparative analysis (agronomic, phenotypic and compositional characteristics) and the outcome of the toxicological, allergenicity and nutritional assessment indicate that the combination of the single soybean events and of the newly expressed proteins in the three‐event stack soybean does not give rise to food and feed safety and nutritional concerns. In the case of accidental release of viable three‐event stack soybean seeds into the environment, this would not raise environmental safety concerns. The post‐market environmental monitoring plan and the reporting intervals are in line with the intended uses of soybean MON 87705 × MON 87708 × MON 89788. Considering the altered fatty acid profile of the three‐event stack soybean, a proposal for post‐market monitoring needs to be provided by the applicant. The GMO Panel notes that in the context of this application EFSA‐GMO‐NL‐2015‐126 the applicant did not provide a 90‐day study on MON 87705 soybean in line with the applicable legal requirements. Therefore, the GMO Panel is not in the position to finalise the risk assessment of soybean MON 87705 × MON 87708 × MON 89788 under the current regulatory frame.

Maize MZIR098 was developed to confer tolerance to glufosinate‐ammonium‐containing herbicides and resistance to certain coleopteran pests. The molecular characterisation data and bioinformatic analyses do not identify issues requiring food/feed safety assessment. None of the identified differences in the agronomic/phenotypic and compositional characteristics tested between maize MZIR098 and its conventional counterpart needs further assessment, except for neutral detergent fibre (NDF) in grains, which does not raise nutritional and safety concerns. The GMO Panel does not identify safety concerns regarding the toxicity and allergenicity of the eCry3.1Ab, mCry3A and PAT proteins as expressed in maize MZIR098, and finds no evidence that the genetic modification would change the overall allergenicity of maize MZIR098. In the context of this application, the consumption of food and feed from maize MZIR098 does not represent a nutritional concern in humans and animals. The GMO Panel concludes that maize MZIR098 is as safe as the conventional counterpart and non‐GM maize reference varieties tested, and no post‐market monitoring of food/feed is considered necessary. In the case of accidental release of viable maize MZIR098 grains into the environment, maize MZIR098 would not raise environmental safety concerns. The post‐market environmental monitoring plan and reporting intervals are in line with the intended uses of maize MZIR098. In conclusion, the GMO Panel considers that maize MZIR098, as described in this application, is as safe as its conventional counterpart and the non‐GM maize reference varieties tested with respect to potential effects on human and animal health and the environment.

En växande global befolkning och tilltagande problem med klimatförändringar är starkt bidragande faktorer till ett ökande behov av mer hållbara och näringsrika livsmedel, varav ett livsmedelsalternativ som har presenterats är ätbara insekter. Konceptet med ätbara insekter är relativt nytt i Västvärlden och speciellt i Sverige där engagemanget inom fältet fortfarande är väldigt begränsat. För att bidra till en eventuell marknadsintroduktion av ätbara insekter har ett litet antal involverade aktörer en central roll för frågans utveckling. Därmed är syftet med denna studie att analysera hur involverade aktörer ser på marknadsintroduktion av ätbara insekter i Sverige. Syftet är även i ljuset av forskning om ätbara insekter och tidigare debatt om genmanipulerade grödor (GMO) bidra till en vidare diskussion om möjligheter för användningen av ätbara insekter i Sverige. Analysen och slutsatser från studien visar att aktörerna ser positivt på en marknadsintroduktion av ätbara insekter både som livsmedel och foder, men endast som en väldigt begränsad del av Sveriges livsmedelssystem. Utifrån aktörers syn och även tidigare forskning är det möjligt att introducera ätbara insekter på marknaden. Det finns dock även flera faktorer som kan hindra marknadsintroduktionen i Sverige. Exempelvis träder en ojämn konkurrenssituation mellan länder fram i analysen som ett möjligt hinder för införandet: en del länder som Nederländerna har kommit längre i processer i fråga om ätbara insekter, vilket kan minska motivationen hos svenska företagare och andra aktörer att utvecklas inom branschen. Orsaken till detta är diverse tolkningar av den ursprungliga förordningen för nya livsmedel (EU) No. 258/97 som innebar oklarheter angående ätbara insekter., The climate change and the growing global population have led to a need for new, more sustainable, and nutritious sources of food. Edible insects are one of the presented alternative solutions to cope with the problem. The concept is relatively new in the Western world, especially in Sweden where the involvement in the field is limited. In order to contribute to the market introduction of edible insects, the dedication of different actors in the field has a central role in this issue. Consequently, the aim of this study is to analyse how actors involved in the edible insects network perceive the market introduction of edible insects in Sweden. The aim is also to contribute to a further discussion on possibilities for the use of edible insects in Sweden in the light of the introduction of GMOs. The analysis and the conclusions from the study show that the actors have relatively positive perceptions of a market introduction of edible insects both as food and feed, though only as a relatively limited part of the national food system. Based on the actors´ views and previous studies there are opportunities to introduce edible insects to the Swedish market. However, there are several factors that can hinder the market introduction in Sweden. For example, competition between countries has been highlighted as a possible obstacle: the original novel food regulation had led to different interpretations between countries concerning edible insects, which included differences between Western countries in possibilities to introduce insects to the market. Countries such as the Netherlands have more conducive market conditions and have already had insects on the market for several years, while in Sweden the market is still negligible, which can lead to lack of motivation to develop this branch of industry.

Here, we discuss options to reform the EU genetically modified organism (GMO) regulatory framework, to make risk assessment and decision-making more consistent with scientific principles, and to lay the groundwork for international coherence. We discussed the scope and definitions in a previous article and, thus, here we focus on the procedures for risk assessment and risk management.

The research problem addressed in this work is the labeling of GMO-free food. The main aim of the paper is to determine the essence of food and feed labeling regarding the use of GMO. An analysis of the Polish Act of 13 June 2019 on the Labeling of Products Produced without the Use of Genetically Modified Organisms, and thus being free from such organisms, is performed in the context of the EU food law. The following research methods were applied in the course of the research: an analysis of national and EU legislation, an analysis of the subject literature, and an analysis of secondary documents (statements, reports). Food labeling provides a basis for consumers to make informed choices and is crucial for ensuring a high level of protection of human life, health, and socio-economic interests. The unification of information on the specificity of non-GMO products in the new law makes the message transparent and clear, which may have implications for stronger confidence among business and consumers., Przedmiotem badań było znakowanie żywności wolnej od GMO w celu określenia istoty znakowania żywności i pasz w odniesieniu do wykorzystania GMO podczas ich wytwarzania. W artykule dokonano analizy dogmatycznej przepisów ustawy z 13 czerwca 2019 r. o oznakowaniu produktów wytworzonych bez wykorzystania organizmów genetycznie zmodyfikowanych jako wolnych od tych organizmów na tle regulacji prawa UE. Zastosowano następujące metody badawcze: analizę aktów normatywnych, analizę źródeł literaturowych, analizę dokumentów wtórnych (sprawozdań, raportów). W opracowaniu omówiono problemy wynikające ze stosowania inżynierii genetycznej w uprawie roślin i hodowli zwierząt, dokonano przeglądu regulacji UE dotyczących GMO oraz szczegółowo przeanalizowano nowe przepisy dotyczące znakowania żywności wolnej od GMO w Polsce. Realizacja prawa do informacji poprzez znakowanie żywności tworzy podstawę dokonywania przez konsumentów świadomych wyborów i ma zasadnicze znaczenie dla zapewnienia im wysokiego poziomu ochrony życia, zdrowia i interesów ekonomiczno-społecznych. Ujednolicenie informacji o specyfice produktów wolnych od GMO w nowej ustawie sprawia, że przekaz jest jasny i przejrzysty, co może wpłynąć na budowanie zaufania między konsumentami i producentami żywności i pasz.

We discuss options to reform the EU genetically modified organisms (GMO) regulatory framework, make risk assessment and decision-making more consistent with scientific principles, and lay the groundwork for international coherence. The first in a three-part series, this article focuses on reform options related to the scope of the legislation and the GMO definition.

This article contributes to the debate about how regulatory science for agricultural technologies can be ‘opened up’ for a more diverse set of concerns and knowledges. The article focuses on the regulation of ‘socio-economic considerations’ for genetically modified organisms. While numerous countries have declared their intent to include these considerations in biotechnology decision-making, it is currently unclear both what counts as a socio-economic consideration and how such considerations should be assessed. This article provides greater clarity about how socio-economic considerations can be included in regulations by drawing upon the experience of two countries whose efforts in this field are particularly advanced: Kenya and South Africa. Based on extensive fieldwork, this article identifies the contours of an emerging regulatory regime by presenting two practice-based models for including socio-economic considerations in biotechnology decision-making. Whereas Kenya has taken a bottom-up process prior to assessing the first technologies and strongly emphasises scientific expertise, South Africa has instead established regulatory standards in an ad hoc fashion on a case-to-case basis, with a less prominent role for scientific evidence. The discussion of the distinct characteristics and tensions of both models provides insight into two potential pathways for including socio-economic considerations in the regulation of agricultural technologies.