Table of Contents

RISK ASSESSMENT RESEARCH

Trends in GE Food/Feed Safety Research: Analysis of Potential Conflict of Interests
Miguel A. Sanchez

Although GE crops are not inherently riskier than non-GE crops, the safety of these plants is a key aspect of the rigorous regulatory processes leading to their approval for environmental release and/or food/feed purposes. Recently, a list of scientific papers on GE crop safety has been compiled, analyzing the distribution and composition of the literature published from 2002 to October 2012. A total of 1,783 reports, including original research papers, reviews, relevant opinions, commentaries, and reports addressing all the major issues that emerged in the debate on GE crops, were classified, and 770 out of the total were related to GE food/feed safety issues.

REGULATORY NEWS

"GE Food" Labels: Polls and Politics
Phill Jones

Some public opinion polls indicate that the increasing cultivation of GE crops parallels a rise in the American public's distrust of food made from GE crops. Many polls focus on one aspect of this distrust: The notion that the government should establish mandatory labeling of food made from GE crops. At least one poll indicates that Americans applaud FDA policy on labeling. Other surveys paint a different picture of the public's attitude about labeling. What do polls really say about GE food label preferences? Perhaps, very little.

PLANT RESEARCH NEWS

Improving the Salinity Tolerance of Soybean
Yue Qu, Rongxia Guan, Lijuan Qiu, Matthew Gilliham

Soil salinity reduces crop yield. The extent and severity of salt-affected agricultural land around the globe is predicted to worsen due to the use of poor quality irrigation water, rising water tables, and climate change. The growth and yield of the majority of crop species is adversely affected by soil salinity, but varied adaptations can allow some crop cultivars to continue to grow and produce a harvestable yield under moderate soil salinity. Here, we summarize our recent research finding that GmSALT3 (Glycine max Salt Tolerance-associated gene on chromosome 3) is a major gene involved in tolerance of soil salinity by soybean.