Let’s take a look at how biotechnology is HEALING, FUELING and FEEDING the world today!

HEAL: USING A VIRUS TO BATTLE CANCER – Scientists at the Tom Baker Cancer Center in Alberta have developed a way to use the non-lethal reovirus to kill off prostate cancer cells while sparing normal tissue. There is already some evidence of the virus’ effect against lymphoid, ovarian, breast, pancreatic and high grade glioma brain cancers but this new Canadian study is the first to test it on prostate cancer. According to study leader Dr Don Morris:

”Our results are a stepping stone into future prostate cancer clinical trials with another category of cancer therapeutics. For the treatment of localised prostate cancer, we found that the reovirus is safe and has evidence of specific tumour versus normal prostate cell efficacy.”

FUEL: INDONESIA PLANTS 20,000 ACRES OF BIOFUEL CROP: I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. I can never get enough Jatropha! According to Biofuels Digest:

In Indonesia, Biodiesel Austindo (BDAI) and Masohi Agro Semesta (MAS) signed an Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to jointly develop approximately 20,000 acres (8,000 hectares) of jatropha on the island of Java. According to the partners, the plantation will be developed over a four year period and it is anticipated work will commence on land preparation within the next two months to enable planting to commence in time for the next wet season.

FEED: DEVELOPING COUNTRIES WILL TAKE THE LEAD IN BIOTECH CROPS – Clive James, chairman of the International Service For the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA) told The Wall Street Journal that within the next two years, developing countries led by China and Brazil will overtake richer nations in adopting genetically modified crops.

Mr. James still expects India to be a major user of genetically modified seeds. “China, Brazil, India, Argentina and South Africa are the big five that will drive rise in Bt crop areas as they try to improve yield when arable land growth is stagnant.” He said as much as 60 million hectares of land would come under genetically modified rice and maize in equal proportions in China over the next three years, as that country has granted a critical regulatory approval for both the crops.