By Jayne Margetts

Scientists in Queensland have successfully grown the country's first
genetically modified banana plant.
The plant is resistant to the deadly panama disease, or fusarium wilt, which
is prevalent in South East Asia and has threatened plantations in the
Northern Territory.

There are now concerns it may spread into Queensland and northern New South
Wales.

Tony Heidrich from the Australian Banana Growers Council describes the scale
of the panama disease threat.

"Well in a word, I suppose, diabolical," he said.

"It would quickly decimate all of the plantations in the area where the
outbreak occurred."

Professor James Dale describes how and his colleagues at the Queensland
University of Technology developed the genetically modified banana plant.

"We took both cavendish and lady finger and we inserted a single gene for
this resistance into the banana genome. The gene inhibits the cell from
dying when it's attacked," Professor Dale said.

"Fusarium wilt is one of the most devastating diseases of bananas worldwide
and it's increasing in threat worldwide," he added.

"There isn't really any control for that disease except resistance.

"Once the soil becomes infested with the fungus it's virtually impossible to
get rid of."

Nutrients boost

The scientists are using the same technology to try to boost the fruit's
nutrient content.

It is hoped that technique can be used in developing countries where banana
is a staple food.

Florence Wambugu from the Africa Harvest Foundation has welcomed the
research.

"It is of key importance because malnutrition and lack of vitamin A and zinc
is a major problem in Africa. About 5 million people under five years are
nutrient deficient," she said.

"So this project is very well targeted and it will have a major impact."

So far trials have been confined to a glasshouse. A field trial is expected
to begin in north Queensland in December.

Professor Dale is confident it will be successful.

"The glasshouse test that we did is a very, very severe test, much more
severe than we believe actually occurs in the field.

"So we believe that the resistance we've generated in the glasshouse will
certainly transfer through to the field," he said.

But Bob Phelps from the Gene Ethics Network is sceptical.

"The chances of success are very low indeed," he said.

"GM technology does not work very well at all."

Mr Heidrich, meanwhile, says it is a promising development, but he is
opposed to the commercialisation of GM varieties.

"We don't believe the Australian consumer is ready to take onboard and buy
and be satisfied with a GM-based banana," he said.

"Until such time where we believe there is market acceptance out there, then
we would not support its commercialisation."

www.checkbiotech.org