Maxx Chatsko

An engineered species of Atlantic salmon could double world aquaculture production, which stands at 230,000 metric tons per year, while offering substantial environmental benefits. What would it mean for consumers if Intrexon and AquaBounty Technologies gain regulatory approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2014? A regulatory nod could notch a big win for synthetic biology in addition to pioneering technologies from Amyris and Solazyme.

Up and down. Day and night. Add organic and genetically modified to the list of opposite pairings. But if investors and consumers bury the hatchets (just for a minute) and take an open-minded approach, they might be surprised by the parallels in growth between organic food champions such as Whole Foods Market and biotech crop varieties such as Monsanto. Which industry offers the best growth for the next 10 years?

In a move that dominated the headlines on Friday, General Mills completed the transition to non-GMO ingredients for its Original Cheerios brand. Consumer activists opposed to consuming engineered foods will tout it as a win, but they shouldn't expect other major cereals from General Mills or Kellogg Company to follow suit.

Consumer attitudes toward a product or technology are critically important in determining a brand's success. Unfortunately, public opinions aren't always rooted in facts. While a new labeling initiative at Whole Foods Market will be great for growing business, it could have disastrous consequences for biotechnology and unintentionally spread misinformation about biotech crops.

Organic and natural foods leader Whole Foods Market is a favorite among many investors -- and there is no denying the company's growth. However, its relentless support of initiatives for labeling products containing ingredients produced from genetically modified organisms, or GMOs, has some unfortunate side effects for suppliers. Will it unravel your investment?

Recent partnerships and developments in the chemical industry demonstrate that biobased chemical production isn't such an ice-cold opportunity for investors after all. It may take several years for collaborations between Genomatica and Braskem and Amyris and Michelin to scale their biological processes for renewable rubbers, but biotech snow tires are indeed on the horizon. Can you profit from the industry's disruptive shift?

Baxter International has decided to ax one of the three biosimilars targeted under a development agreement with Momenta Pharmaceuticals. What does it mean for investors and the future of the partnership?

Renewable Energy Group agreed to buy essentially all of the assets of Syntroleum Corporation, which brings an important partner into its growth plans in Tyson Foods. How could the acquisition become a steal, and how does it affect a joint-venture between Darling International and Valero?

Whole Foods Market will require labeling for all products sold in its stores that contain ingredients produced from genetically modified organisms, or GMOs. While the move has been cheered by organic supporters and anti-GMO activists, it could also lead to one unfortunate side effect for suppliers.

A collection of fabulous dividend stocks investors need to add to their retirement accounts.

After an amazing year, can developmental pharmaceutical company Keryx Biopharmaceuticals continue to rack up progress in 2014? One Fool thinks the momentum will continue -- or possibly end with a buyout from a well-positioned kidney disease player such as Amgen.

Like it or not, McDonald's (probably) won't turn down the advantages provided by a new engineered potato offered by Simplot, its largest supplier. Here's why Innate potatoes will succeed where Monsanto's NewLeaf potatoes failed in 1998.

Keryx Biopharmaceuticals erupted higher in 2013 on positive results for its lone drug. Approval could be bad news for Sanofi and Fresenius. Need a refresher?

Organovo Holdings has returned a three-bagger to investors in 2013. Are game-changing developments on the table for 2014 that can do the same?

Shares of Repligen doubled in 2013. While you shouldn't expect that kind of growth every year, there is plenty to look forward to in 2014.

Shares of Organovo Holding's have more than tripled this year. Do tangible events or investor optimism better explain share gains?

Repligen may work behind the scenes to power the biotech industry, but these three events catalyzed the bioprocess company itself in the past 12 months.

Solazyme recently announced that it was pushing back the start-up of its commercial scale facility in Brazil, built with partner Bunge, by a few months. The news serves as a reminder that delays are always possible for developmental companies. Are more on the way in 2014?

A stadium collapse in the city of Sao Paulo will put added pressure on Brazil's already stressed construction sector and could lead to an increase in construction costs. What does it mean for companies such as Cosan, Amyris, and Solazyme, which are all planning construction projects in the country?

2013 turned out to be an exciting year. Here are three energy developments that defined the past 12 months.