Source: M.R. Subramani, The Hindu Business Line via Meridian Institute Food Security and Ag-Biotech

This article says efforts are underway to develop a variety of new types of genetically modified (GM) crops.

Eric Sachs, head of scientific affairs at Monsanto, says: "The focus has clearly turned to using biotechnology to derive crops that can sustain themselves in times of drought. Also, research is on to ensure plants contain less or no mycotoxins, which are carcinogic and less transfatty acids."

Researchers at the U.S.-based Donald Danforth Plant Science Center say they agree but warn, "This does not mean that such crops will be out in the market tomorrow." They say, "Research is on and it could take 5-10 years to reach the results of 'laboratory to land.'"

The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center is currently engaged in work to develop a rice variety rich in folic acid, to help fight malnutrition in India. The center is also developing a cassava (tapioca) variety designed to withstand the mosaic virus. According to center researchers, "Cassava is an important food source for Africa, and this research will go a long way in ensuring food sufficiency in that continent."

John Purcell, global leader of scientific affairs at Monsanto, reports that the company is working to develop a soy variety with low linolenic acid content, a variety of corn with high levels of lysine and essential amino acids, and another corn variety with high oil levels.

Purcell says Monsanto has also broadened its research to develop GM plants with resistance to pests that are hard to kill or that have developed resistance to herbicides. "In fact, the research is currently on to provide farmers a combination of various factors in the crop," Purcell says. In addition, he says, "There are a number of companies that are working on drought-tolerant and stress-tolerant varieties."

Other officials at Monsanto report that following the success of Bollgard Bt cotton in India, they are now working to introduce a superior Bollgard II cotton variety. "Greenhouse trials are on to introduce Bt corn also," says one official.

The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) also discusses the development of new GM crop varieties in its BIO Guide for 2005-06. BIO says in the guide that apples, bananas, and wheat are among the new GM crops that could be commercialized within the next six years. According to the organization, DuPont is working to develop a glyphosate resistant crop, and Monsanto has developed a GM alfalfa with herbicide resistance and a GM apple with resistance to the codling moth.

Full article: www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/06/29/stories/2005062901251000.htm