GM spuds to be commercialized in 2007

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Public release date: 1-Dec-2006

 

http://www.eurekalert.org/bysubject/agriculture.php

 

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GM spuds to be commercialized in 2007

 

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.

 

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.

 

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