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USA – HAWAII GM RESEARCH
Genetically modified crops rooted in funding
27 April, 2007. Source: Honolulu Advertiser
http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070430/NEWS01/704300349/1001
via CropBiotech Update
The University of Hawai'i is, according to this story, conducting genetically modified crop research on bananas, tomatoes, petunias and lettuce in an effort to develop hardier, disease-resistant plants.
The story notes that researchers at UH's College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources also are trying to develop sugar cane that's genetically modified to produce a vaccine to protect against rotavirus — a viral infection that can cause severe diarrhea and vomiting in young children.
The projects have been going on for several years, but have not been widely publicized. Other ongoing transgenic crop research at UH is being conducted on pineapple, orchids, anthuriums, taro, papaya and limes.
Stephen Ferreira, an assistant specialist for plant and environmental protection sciences at UH, was cited as saying that UH's drive to develop new transgenic crops is driven by economics, adding, "There's no question at a federal level ... more funds are being funneled or being targeted to some of these kinds of areas. Ten years ago you could hardly find money to do transgenic work." But because the technology is successful and has impact, funds are now available for transgenic research.
UH research into genetically modified papaya resulted in the development of a ringspot-virus resistant papaya, which has helped manage the impact of the virus. However, the story notes that cultural concerns about UH's work on genetically modified Hawaiian taro varieties ultimately forced the university to abandon that effort.
C.Y. Hu, associate dean and associate director for research at the UH CTAHR, was cited as saying that despite the availability of research money, some scientists are reluctant to go into GMO work because of backlash of environmental and cultural concerns, however, Hu could not provide details such as the number of researchers working on genetically modified crop research or the amount of money spent, adding,
"It's actually going down because we have a lot of faculty saying there's no point
in doing this."
Hu was further cited as saying that could ultimately hurt Hawai'i farmers, should new diseases surface locally, adding, "If you don't want us to do that, we can accept that. But if we don't work on this and a disease comes in, it's going to wipe you out."
Apart from papaya, UH's remaining genetic crop research is being conducted in greenhouses or laboratories rather than in open fields, which lowers the risk of environmental exposure
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