GM Coconut

Did you know that almost every part of a coconut tree can be put into good use? Because of its versatility, the coconut is considered the "tree of life". The most valuable by-product is the coconut oil derived from the dried kernel of the nuts. The top two producers of coconut oil are Indonesia and the Philippines with around 2.91M and 1.37M tons of copra generated in 1999 respectively. Other coconut growing countries are found in Asia, South Pacific, Africa and the Indian Ocean, in Latin America and the Caribbean.

What makes the oil form coconut so attractive is its high lauric acid content. Demand for lauric acid is high because it is used to make some confectionery, cooking oils, cosmetics, detergent, margarine, shampoos, and soaps. Hence there is a high demand for it all over the world. The coconut industry is threatened because of the development of high oil-producing GM crops, like rapeseed. Studies directed towards enhancing production of oil is critical to the coconut industry.

The Bureau for the Development of Research on Tropical Perennial Oil Crops (BUROTROP) is responsible for consolidating the research efforts on coconuts being done by agencies and institutions all over the world. BUROTROP keeps a database on current research being done by its member agencies and institutions.

Aside from being one of the top producers of coconut products, the Philippines also play an important role in coconut research.

Related topics:

• Current coconut research
• Uses of Coconut

Summary Report on the Global Status of Commercialized Biotech/GM Crops - [View the 2004 report]

Transgenic Crops - [Click Here]

Extensive Study on Bt Cotton - [Click Here]

Download the complete copy of the ISAAA Briefs on Global Status/Review of GM Crops - [Click Here]

SciDev.Net's dossier on GM crops - [Click here]

Global Status of Approved Genetically Modified Plants -  [Click here]

Copyright © 2006. CropBiotech Net.