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Op-Ed: Biologicals 2.0: Why Genetically Engineered Soil Microbes Are Concerning

Food Tank

On a summer day in downtown Salinas, California, a group of farmers, biotechnology start-ups and pesticide corporations gathered to talk about the benefits of biology. While the realm of pesticides and fertilizers has been dominated by chemistry for the past eight decades, it seems like biology may soon have its day.

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The American Chestnut Tree is Coming Back. Who is It For?

Modern Farmer

For years, controversy has swirled around the ethics of using novel biotechnology for species conservation. In 2022, the state and the federal government agreed to return more than 1,000 acres to the Onondaga Nation. White paper bags festooned the taller trees, their flowers covered to manage fertilization.

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The U.S.-Mexico tortilla war

Food Environment and Reporting Network

It alleges that Mexico’s decree constitutes a trade violation that infringes on the superseding rights of US farmers and biotechnology companies. Unable to muscle Mexico City into reversing course, the US trade representative, Katherine Tai, last August lodged a formal complaint with the secretariat of the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).

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Can Seaweed Save American Shellfish?

Civil Eats

Rich in minerals, kelp grows quickly and doesn’t require fertilizer. At UConn, Yarish established an internationally known Seaweed Marine Biotechnology Laboratory, and tapped to advise the Department of Energy’s current MARINER Program, which has invested $66 million in seaweed aquaculture since 2018.

Farming 101
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From Commodification to Conservation: Restoring Agrobiodiversity through Seed Breeding – Part I: 

National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions means moving away from the use of high-energy and polluting nitrogenous fertilizers. In contrast, today’s dominant players genetically engineer and mass produce seed alongside complementary inputs including fertilizers and pesticides. Diverse plants and manure must take their place. Source: Philip H.

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