The federal court stepped in to ban the genetically modified alfalfa produced by Monsanto Co., pending a thorough review of the crop’s impact on the environment.
The ruling by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Wednesday leaves Creve Coeur-based Monsanto with two options. It can appeal the case to the U.S. Supreme Court or hope for regulatory approval after the Agriculture Department completes a comprehensive environmental review. (stltoday.com)
Environmental groups and alfalfa-seed farmers sued the government in 2007 over its decision to release GM alfalfa without reviewing how the crop can potentially affect the environment. According to this news, …read more

Proponents of genetically-modified food are fighting an uphill battle in the European Union.
Germany has banned a strain of genetically modified corn in the country, citing dangers to the environment as the primary reason. Last month, Luxembourg joined Hungary, France, Austria and Greece in banning Monsanto’s corn strain MON810, even though it is the only strain approved by the European Food Safety Authority.
Germany has been using MON810, also known as YieldGuard Corn Borer, for the past five years. But the Agricultural Minister now admits there is reason to believe that MON810 “represents a danger for the environment”.
The European Council meets next …read more

Genetically modified corn was found to lower the fertility and body weight in mice, reports an study (translated in English) commissioned by the Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety. 
Austrian scientist found that mice who were fed for over 20 weeks with GM corn developed by Monsanto decreased their liter size around the third-fourth generation compared to the control group.
The Institute for Responsible Technology immediately issued a "moratorium" on the distribution of GM food products until their "safety are undeniably established". Monsanto responded to the news and statements made by Greenpeace about their products, and I quote:
The …read more