www.checkbiotech.org ; www.czu.cz ; www.raupp.info

A new generation of plants are being cultivated in university research labs
and companies, March 2006 by Martin Kugler
translated by Stephan Nyeki.

Almost all genetically modified (GM) plants grown in fields have no direct
use for the consumer, and they only help farmers in the fight against
insects and weeds. Two thirds of GM organisms are resistant to certain
chemicals, the rest produce substances through genetic engineering which are
poisonous to insects.

Quality can only be increased with difficulty

A new genetic generation of plants is already being cultivated in university
and company research labs. The properties of these plants are themselves
being altered, which is of interest for industrial applications.

For example, the properties of cotton for material production primarily
depend on the length of the single fibers. These are five centimeters long
for the best type of "Egyptian cotton" (Gossypium barbadense), but only half
as long for highland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum). Nevertheless, the latter
accounts for more than 90 percent of the world harvest, because the
cultivation of Egyptian cotton is extremely labor-intensive.

According to experts, further improvement in the quality of highland cotton
is not possible with traditional breeding methods, but is with genetic
engineering.

A worldwide consortium based around Bayer CropScience and the Australian
research institute, CSIRO, recently deciphered the mechanisms of cotton
fiber growth. Two enzymes were found to be decisive for the length of fibers
which regulate the internal pressure in the growing seedling hairs. The
greater the cell pressure, the greater the growth.

GM seeds in strong demand

As a result of the aforementioned studies, researchers have changed the
enzyme concentrations in the less labor-intensive highland cotton through
genetic engineering. As a result, these plants produced longer fibers in
open field trials in 2005. Those who are afraid of jeans and shirts from GM
cotton, should be reminded that already 28 percent of the world cotton
harvest stems from GM seeds.

Large market for new GM cotton

It is at present uncertain when the development of the new cotton plants
will be concluded. In this regard, progress on industrial potatoes is
further advanced. Various groups are at a stand-still in the EU over the
licensing of a potato strain, which has a different starch composition.

The German chemical company BASF has switched off an enzyme in the potato
that prevents formation of amylose, a long-chained starch. The potato now
only produces mainly Amylopektin, a branched from of starch.

Although, these plants are only foreseen to have industrial uses, mixing
with food cannot completely be excluded in practice - and, hence, they must
go through the same licensing procedures as for food. The European food
authority EFSA has recently licensed the BASF potato for release.

Cotton growers in the USA also have to undergo protracted procedures,
because the seeds are also processed into edible oil. Industry is expecting
a lot from the development of a new generation of GM plants with enhanced
properties. GMOs will only be more widely accepted when consumers are able
to benefit more directly, or so one hopes in industrial circles.

Besides, a huge market for GMOs is expected to open up in the future.
According to branch estimates, the GMO turnover of ? 4.4 billion could
increase a hundredfold within ten years.

www.checkbiotech.org

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