(16/11/2005) -

The Philippines is developing a genetically modified (GM) coconut with at least as much lauric acid as canola to allow it to hold onto its leading share of the world's vegetable oil market.

Lauric acid, a medium-length long-chain fatty acid, is found in the form of glycerides in a number of natural fats, especially coconut and palm kernel. It offers advantages in food processing as it acts as a kind of preservative, staving off oxidation and spoiling.

Lauric acid is also believed to have antimicrobial properties and is frequently exploited by pharmaceutical companies as well.

(16/11/2005) -

LONDON — After just nine years of commercialization, biotech crops have made a significant, positive impact on the global economy and environment, decreasing pesticide spraying and reducing the environmental footprint associated with pesticide use by 14 percent, according to a study released today.

“Since 1996, adoption of biotech crops has contributed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture and decreased pesticide spraying,” said Graham Brookes, director of PG Economics, and one of the authors who conducted the study. “While greatly enhancing the way farmers in 18 countries produce food, feed and fiber, biotech crops have reduced the environmental footprint associated with agricultural practices. This study offers the first quantifiable global look at the impact of biotech crop production.”

(18/08/2005) -

Rice is a most important food crop in Vietnam. With the increasing population, decreasing land for rice cultivation, the  applying of biotechnology in rice production is considered as a promising way to increase rice yield, tomeet future demand of food security and help Vietnam to achieve substainable development.

(16/08/2005) - During past twenty years, the agricultural biotechnologynology of Vietnam has been being rapidly developed and obtained the significant achievements in constructing the infrastructure and in the research.

(04/08/2005) - In a programme to shift growing to more drought-tolerance crops, companies Syngenta and Vedan are implementing a "tropical beet development strategy" in Vietnam. So far, about 100ha of beets have been planted in Dong Nai, Tay Ninh, Ha Tinh and Phan Thiet provinces. The three test-strains in the project include Posada, Doratea and HI 0064, which, after a month and a half, can endure temperatures of up to 45oC.