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

The first commercial crop of genetically modified potatoes will be planted
in 2007. Industry bods and green campaigners alike agree that EU approval of
BASF?s Amflora potatoes will come in time for spring launch and cultivation,
reports Marina Murphy in Chemistry & Industry, the magazine of the SCI,
December 2006.

Amflora potatoes, which have been modified to be particularly suited for
the production of papers and adhesive, are not intended for human
consumption. In contrast to conventional potatoes, they contain only
amylopectin, as opposed to both amylopectin and amylose starches.

?This is the first potato of its kind? according to Thorston Storck, global
project manager at BASF Plant Sciences. ?We have tested these potatoes over
10 years?And at this stage, we are optimistic of getting permission to grow
and sell these potatoes in time for planting next year,? he said.

Claire Oxborrow, GM campaigner for Friends of the Earth, agreed that
approval in time for spring planting was likely. Even without a qualified
majority on Monday (December 4th) by the regulatory committee, she said the
potatoes would ultimately be approved. But Oxborrow also expressed concerns
that Amflora potatoes could find their way into the food supply, especially
given that a separate application by BASF for food and feeding is not far
behind this one.

She said that safety should be a concern because rat feeding studies showed
statistically significant differences in white blood cells and spleen weight
between female animals fed the transgenic potato and those given a diet
containing the parental cultivar.

?These differences should be thoroughly investigated to ensure that they
will not lead to human health impacts,? she said.

Currently there are six countries in the EU where GM crops are grown
commercially: Romania, Germany, France, Spain, Portugal and the Czech
Republic. They all grow GM maize except Romania, which grows GM soya.

[www.innovations-report.de]

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