The Agbiotech Bulletin Volume 3 Issue 8, August, 1995 Code Number:NL95026 Sizes of Files: Text: 50k No associated graphics BiotechResearch at Foundation of Economy While plant biotechnology may not beas glamorous as, say, a new biotech drug, it effects the veryfoundations of the Canadian economy, according to Dr. Michael Smith.News Transgenic Canola in Canada In Saskatchewan, approximately 30,000acres have been contracted by Prairie Pools Inc. to grow Innovator^tmcanola, developed by AgrEvo for tolerance to their glufosinate ammoniumbased herbicide, Liberty^tm. Another 10,000 acres are under cultivationin Alberta. AgrEvo herbicide approved Liberty^tm herbicide (glufosinateammonium) has been approved by Agriculture Canada for use on a tolerantcanola variety, the first ever commercial clearance for a non-selectiveherbicide on a transgenic crop. Innovator^tm, a transgenic canolavariety produced by AgrEvo, was previously cleared for use in Canada.SRC-SeCan Search for Hybrid Guide to Wild Brassicas The Centre for Landand Biological Resources Research has developed definitive guides tothe wild germplasm of the Brassica group. Calgene Announces TransgenicHigh-erucic Canola Calgene has announced that the company has developeda transgenic rapeseed oil containing trierucin, which could lead to adramatically improved source of erucic acid, which is used in a widevariety of industrial applications. Philom Bios Drops BioMal Saskatooncompany Philom Bios has dropped commercialization plans for itsmycoherbicide BioMal, due to changing market conditions and highproduction costs. Goodale Rejects Vet Criticism Concerns expressed byDr. David MacDonald, president of the Canadian Veterinary MedicalAssociation, that federal budget cutbacks threaten Canada's ability tocontrol animal diseases and protect food safety have been rejected byRalph Goodale, Canada's Agriculture Minister. New S&T StrategyProposed A framework for a federal science and technology strategy hasbeen proposed by the National Advisory Board on Science and Technology(NABST) following their assessment of federal science and technologypolicy. New CEPA Regulations Delayed FlavrSavr^tm Taking a BruisingHormone for Swine Okayed Down Under Events AgBiotech InternationalConference in Saskatoon The planning for the Agricultural BiotechnologyInternational Conference (ABIC '96) continues. The conference willpremiere in Saskatoon from June 11 - 14, 1996. Tissue CultureConference in Saskatoon The 4th Canadian Plant Tissue Culture andGenetic Engineering Conference will be held at the Delta BessboroughHotel in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan from June 1-4, 1996. Oats/BarleyGenetics Conference The 5th International Oat Conference and the 7thInternational Barley Genetics Symposium will be held concurrently July30 to August 6, 1996 at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon.Biotech Colloquium A Biotechnology Colloquium will be held inSaskatoon, Saskatchewan October 16-20, 1995 as part of the NorthAmerican Science and Tech Education The 8th Symposium of theInternational Organization of Science and Technology Education (IOSTE)will be held in Edmonton, Alberta from August 17 to 24, 1996. TrendsEuropean Biotech Gathering Momentum Ernst & Young's Second AnnualReport on European Biotechnology reports that European biotechcompanies are "gathering momentum." Creating Knowledge, Japanese StyleAccording to a Japanese study (The Knowledge-Creating Company: HowJapanese Companies Create the Dynamics of Innovation, Nonaka andTakeuchi, Oxford University Press) the ability to create new knowledge,rather than manufacturing prowess is a key to corporate advancement.Alliances Monsanto Buys Into Calgene Public-Private Sector PartnershipsThe following article is the second installment in a series based on apresentation to the Plant Science Department, University of Manitoba inNovember, 1994 by R.E. Morgan, Manager of Agricultural Research andDevelopment with the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool and member of the Board ofDirectors of Ag-West Biotech. Technology Transfer Canola Petal TestCommercialized A testing system used to predict the occurrence of animportant canola disease has been licensed to a Saskatchewan company,Reed Agricultural Services, by University of Saskatchewan TechnologiesIncorporated. Biocontrol for Sclerotinia Around the Corner Meanwhile,AgCanada and Cominco Fertilizers Ltd. will commercialize a biocontrolagent for white mold/stem rot caused by Sclerotinia sclertiorum fungus.Queens Moves to Enhance Commercialization PARTEQ Innovations, Queen'sUniversity's for-profit technology transfer agent, is seeking privateinvestments for an initiative designed to help commercialize theuniversity's intellectual property. Finance New Biotech Loan Fund Aninnovative loan fund targeting Western Canada's biotechnology firms hasbeen announced by Western Economic Diversification Minister LloydAxworthy and the Royal Bank of Canada's General Manager forSaskatchewan, Gord G. Tallman. Input on International Strategy SoughtThe federal government wants to hear from Canadian biotech companiesabout their international priorities for exporting products andservices, attracting investment and acquiring new technology. IssuesrbST Moratorium Extension Recommended A further two-year moratorium onthe sale of rbST in Canada has been recommended by the House of Commonshealth committee. American Religious Leaders Oppose Gene Patents TheSouthern Baptist Conference in Atlanta has adopted a resolution callingfor "an immediate moratorium on the patenting of animal and humantissues and genetic sequences until a full and complete discussion hasconcurred." Bt Genes and Organic Farmers Organic farmers arechallenging the introduction of potatoes and other crops that have beenengineered to contain insect toxin genes from Bacillus thuringiensis.Attitudes Public Determines if Agbiotech Products Will Fly What is aviable product? Canadian Consumers Wary of bST Milk Winnipeg publicopinion pollster Angus Reid says Canadian consumers are suspicious ofrbST. CDA Committee Favours Biotech A position paper of theBiotechnology Committee of the Canadian Dietetic Association hasendorsed the value of biotechnology in maintaining an abundant andsustainable food supply. However, the Committee reports it has not yetbeen able to achieve consensus of its position with all provincialassociations. Legal Notes Who's Suing Whom? American legislatorsrecently beefed up that country's Plant Variety Protection Act, givingdevelopers of new plant varieties stronger control of genetic property.Resources BioResearch Ireland Canola Info Service for Sask ExportStrategies Info Systems for Agbiotech Electronic TechTransfer ServicePeople Watch Canadian Dietetic Association Canola Council of CanadaCanodev Cyanamid Canada Hoechst Mallinckrodt Veterinary Pioneer Hi-BredVIDO Copyright 1995 Agbiotech Bulletins
