Biotech Updates

Australian Scientists Develop GM Banana

October 31, 2008

A team of scientists from the Queensland University of Technology in Brisbane, Australia were able to insert a gene into the banana genome to create resistance to a devastating disease known as fusarium wilt or Panama disease. This was announced by Professor James Dale, director of the Centre for Tropical Crops and Biocommodities.

Fusarium wilt is prevalent in Southeast Asia but there is growing concern that it might spread to Australia’s major banana growing regions. A field trial is expected to be done in North Queensland in December this year.

Read the  press release from the Queensland University of Technology at http://www.news.qut.edu.au/cgi-bin/WebObjects/News.woa/wa/goNewsPage?newsEventID=21450