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Checkbiotech: five years of ag biotech coverage
January 20, 2005

Designed to provide a one-stop, web portal for agricultural biotechnology news and events, Checkbiotech has exceeded all expectations and is currently seeking out new partners for the next five years.

Scientists know them as transgenic crops, while consumers often refer to them as GM (genetically modified) food or GMOs. However you prefer to call them, Checkbiotech has delivered you news pertaining to agricultural biotechnology from sources around the world—first.

Substantial attention has been drawn to the first generation of GM crops. Researchers designed these varieties to have new, built-in resistance to diseases and insects to help prevent the destruction of a farmer’s crop. Likewise, through genetic engineering, researchers have been able to produce genetically engineered crops that reduce the use of pesticides.

Not everything is perfect, however, and it has always been Checkbiotech’s goal to offer balanced news coverage. Some insects and weeds have been able to build up resistance of their own, and overcome the benefits of some transgenic crops. However, that has not stopped scientists from fighting back and coming up with new solutions to overcome resistance.

The world of agriculture has so much in store for us in the future, and Checkbiotech reporters have brought you the future. Christof Fellman showed how work is being down to use genetically enhanced corn to fuel hydrogen fuel cells of the future. And as bio-attacks became the topic of the day, Checkbiotech writers showed how transgenic plants can eliminate the threat of ricin, anthrax and even be used as an early warning system in the event of a bio-attack.

A hot topic for 2005 and beyond is sure to be plant-based pharmaceuticals, otherwise often referred to as pharming or biopharming. This evolving field offers the opportunity to produce vaccines, disease curing medicines and preventative health care solutions—and Checkbiotech will continue to cover this emerging area.

Currently, Checkbiotech is housed and operated by the University of Basel in Switzerland. The University of Basel provides Checkbiotech with a neutral setting, which has fostered new relationships and has provided more resources for the website. The existing infrastructure of the University provides a sustainable environment that will allow Checkbiotech to be the leading internet source for AgBiotech and genetic-based plant research news.

A program offered at the University of Basel called Access, offers much of the work force for Checkbiotech. It offers undergraduates, graduates and post-docs the opportunity to gain career experience before they finish their university studies. For more information about how your academic institute can participate, contact Checkbiotech’s Director, Robert Derham.

If your company, academic institute, organization or government benefits from Checkbiotech and would like to ensure its continued growth, the University of Basel invites you to become a partner. It has also established a tax deductible account for all contributions to Checkbiotech. For more information on how you can become a partner with Checkbiotech, please contact the Director, Robert Derham directly. Checkbiotech looks forward to bringing you the future of agricultural biotechnology.

Contact:
Robert Derham, Director
Tel: ++41 61 267 0447
Email: robert.derham@unibas.ch 
University of Basel
Petersplatz 1, Postfach
CH-4003 Basel
Switzerland

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