Advances in the Development of Biotech Papaya Reviewed

Interest in biotech to address problems in papaya has not dwindled. Numerous researches on developing biotech papayas are occurring worldwide as presented by the group of Evelyn Mae Mendoza in one chapter of Biotechnology Annual Review. Among the objectives of these researches include development of varieties with resistance to pests and diseases including papaya ringspot virus (PRSV), mites and Phytophthora. Other groups are also exploring the development of aluminum and herbicide tolerance in papaya, those having fruits with long shelf life, and even the production of vaccines against tuberculosis and cysticercosis, an infectious animal disease.

Mendoza and colleagues stated that papaya is the first genetically modified tree and fruit crop and also the first transgenic crop developed by a public institution that has been commercialized. They note that at present about 14 countries are engaged, through collaborative activities or independent efforts, in the development of a biotech PRSV resistant papaya.

The review paper is accessible to journal subscribers at http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S1387-2656(08)00019-7.