As elections near, Biden promotes ‘whole-of-government’ effort to cut cancer death rates and strengthen the biopharma and biotech sectors. International partners welcome, up to a point

WHO is creating new guidelines to stop lab leaks and the development of bioweapons. But scientists, focused on projects and funding, see only the benefits, rather than the risks, of their work, report warns.

Opening Europe up to gene edited crops would be good for start-ups, but clumsy deregulation could cost Europe dear

A White House body wants more research into lab safety measures, while the Commission has asked member states to review their rules. But action has so far been limited

It is getting ever easier to create deadly pathogens in the lab. Research funders, universities and governments need to come together under a new global body to tame this risk, experts warn.

Countries are falling well short on emissions targets, but the first day of the UN conference saw fresh commitments, with the new US strategy underlining the central role research and innovation will play in delivering climate neutrality

The UK government trumpets the move as an advantage of Brexit, and plant scientists are supportive. Some researchers believe it could prefigure similar moves to ease rules in the EU

A new report by Euroseeds, and the European Commission’s overt support, gives more ammunition for advocates of gene editing in crops