Guest guest Posted January 17, 2003 Report Share Posted January 17, 2003 A looming horror for vegetarians, fruit lovers, and primates everywhere. Expert: Bananas could disappear in 10 years It is one of the world's favorite fruits, but the banana hasn't had sex in years and its days may be numbered. Without scientific help the sterile, seedless fruit could disappear with 10 years, according to a Belgian plant pathologist. Emile Frison, the head of the International Network for the Improvement of Banana and Plantain in Montpellier, France, said the fruit lacks the genetic diversity to fight off diseases and pests that are plaguing banana plantations and only biotechnology and genetic manipulation may be able to save it. " Frison sees it as the only hope for the banana, " New Scientist said Wednesday. Without assistance banana production could drop and mark the beginning of the end of the fruit. " We may even see the extinction of the banana as both a lifesaver for hungry and impoverished Africans and as the most popular product on the world's supermarket shelves, " the magazine added. 01/17/2003 02:36 © Copyright The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained In this news report may not be published, broadcast or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. On the motionless branches of some trees, autumn berries hung like clusters of coral beads, as in those fabled orchards where the fruits were jewels . . . - Martin Chuzzlewit by Charles Dickens Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 17, 2003 Report Share Posted January 17, 2003 Aye, quite scarey. I enjoy my bananas and cannot imagine a world without banana bread. I hope there is something they can safely do to assure that bananas are around for at least as long as we are. ~ Robin , The Stewarts <stews9@c...> wrote: > > A looming horror for vegetarians, fruit lovers, and primates everywhere. > > > Expert: Bananas could disappear in 10 years > > It is one of the world's favorite fruits, but the banana hasn't had sex in > years and its days may be numbered. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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