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By NICHOLAS WADE
Researchers have made an unexpectedly sudden advance in synthesizing long molecules of DNA, bringing them closer to the goal of redesigning genes and programming cells to make pharmaceuticals.
But the success also puts within reach the manufacture of small genomes, such as those of viruses and perhaps certain bacteria. Some biologists fear that the technique might be used to make the genome of the smallpox virus, one of the few pathogens that cannot easily be collected from the wild.
The advance, described in the Jan. 6 issue of the journal Nature by Dr. George M. Church of the Harvard Medical School and Dr. Xiaolian Gao of the University of Houston, involves the use of a new technique to synthesize a DNA molecule 14,500 chemical units in length. The molecule contained a string of 21 genes used by a harmless laboratory bacterium.
The full power of the technique is still being explored, but genomes like that of the smallpox virus - 186,000 chemical units long - seem well within reach. Dr. Church has completed the first part of a plan to synthesize the 777,000-unit genome of a small bacterium known as Mycoplasma mobile.
"This has the potential for a revolutionary impact in the ease of synthesis of large DNA molecules," said Dr. Richard Ebright, a molecular biologist at Rutgers University with an interest in bioterrorism.
"This will permit efficient and rapid synthesis of any select agent virus genome in very short order," he added, referring to the list of dangerous pathogens and toxins that possessors are required to register with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Dr. Ebright said any facility possessing the new DNA synthesis equipment should be assumed capable of making any virus on the select agent list.
The genetic sequences of smallpox and many other dangerous pathogens are easily obtained because they were deposited in public databases as an aid to medical researchers at a time when synthesizing large DNA molecules seemed prohibitively expensive or impossible.
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By Harry Cline
So far it has not spawned an anti-biotech attack, but that does not mean there are no challenges associated with the herbicide resistant forage crop.
Herbicide-resistant (Roundup Ready) alfalfa is expected to be offered for sale commercially this year.
However, none seem insurmountable and researchers at the recent National Alfalfa Symposium in San Diego say the path seems clear for what one called the "landmark" movement into a new biotech crop that offers great potential to reduce weed control costs; produce cleaner alfalfa and be a possible solution to new water quality regulations facing western producers.
Roundup Ready alfalfa has not run into the opposition like herbicide-resistant wheat, a factor in Monsanto shelving Roundup Ready wheat. While Monsanto claimed officially that declining wheat acreage was the primary factor in pulling the plug on biotech wheat, it was actually opposition from countries importing U.S. wheat that postponed the introduction of herbicide-resistant wheat. Growers were concerned that world markets would be eroded for any country permitting herbicide-resistant wheat to be grown.
Japan, one of America’s biggest agricultural trading partners, said it would not buy wheat — biotech or conventional -- from any country that allowed biotech wheat to be grown. However, according to one of the speakers at the alfalfa symposium Japan is expected to approve the importation of biotech alfalfa. Japan is the biggest importer of U.S alfalfa, taking 75 percent of the alfalfa exported by the U.S. with a value of almost $500 million annually.
The difference is that wheat is imported primarily for human consumption and alfalfa is imported for livestock rations. Scientists said no one has documented a risk to humans consuming milk, meat or eggs from animals fed genetically modified hay.worthwhile
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By Jon Hurdle
TRENTON, N.J. (Reuters) - New Jersey, home to scores of top drug companies, plans to spend $380 million on stem cell research to stay in the forefront of the politically sensitive field, its acting governor said on Tuesday.
Richard Codey told the state Assembly that New Jersey will spend $150 million to build the Stem Cell Institute of New Jersey, whose founding was announced last May. Voters in November will be asked to approve a bond issue of $230 million to pay for its operation.
The state already has set aside $9.5 million in public funds for the institute to be built in New Brunswick.
The commitments make New Jersey the second biggest public backer of stem cell research after California, where voters last year approved a $3 billion bond issue to fund research.
In August 2001, President Bush limited the use of federal funds for stem-cell research to batches of cells, called lines, that existed at the time. He said that taxpayers who oppose the research should not have to pay for it.
Supporters say it has the potential to find a cure for such diseases as Alzheimer's, muscular dystrophy and cancer.
"We have the commitment to make New Jersey an international center of stem cell excellence," said Codey, a Democrat.
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By David Ljunggren
OTTAWA - Canada said on Tuesday it had found its second case of mad cow disease in 10 days, raising new questions as to whether Washington would scrap plans to soon end a crippling ban on imports of live Canadian cattle.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency said the diseased beef cow, born just after Canada tightened feed restrictions in 1997, was not linked to another instance of mad cow disease announced on Jan. 2.
The new case is Canada's third home-grown instance of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE).
"Based on preliminary information, feed produced prior to the introduction of the 1997 feed ban in Canada remains the most likely source of infection in this animal," the CFIA said in a statement.
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The group, which was formed last year, hopes to win support during this year's legislative session.
By Anne Fitzgerald
Persuading Iowa lawmakers to pump millions of dollars into Iowa's burgeoning biotechnology economy will take a full-court press by government, university and business leaders, members of a new group said this week.
Michael Blouin , director of the Iowa Department of Economic Development and a member of the new Biosciences Alliance of Iowa, said the effort also will require a public-private partnership that includes a financial commitment from businesses.
The new alliance has much work to do before leaders can pitch a proposal to lawmakers. The Iowa Legislature convened its 2005 session this week, but the Biosciences Alliance has not yet outlined its strategy for accelerating what is called technology transfer, or the process of turning university researchers' ideas and discoveries into commercial uses.
The alliance, which is made up of 50 government, university and industry representatives, was formed last year in response to a study of Iowa's economy that was produced by the Battelle Memorial Institute, a consultant group based in Columbus, Ohio. The consultant's report recommends promoting increased collaboration between Iowa's state universities and biotechnology businesses as part of a broad effort to create new businesses and jobs in the so-called life sciences.
"We need to capture the imagination," said Blouin.
"If we lose a year, I'm afraid we're going to lose the war," he said, referring to the need to win support during this year's legislative session.
The group's executive committee met for the first time Monday.
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