UK DEFRA Permits GM Potatoes Testing
April 23, 2010| |
Department of Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) finally released the permission to test genetically-modified (GM) potatoes in UK. The experiment will be conducted by University of Leeds, with the goal of evaluating the resistance of potato cyst nematodes or worm-like pests to GM potato. These pests have been a threat to potato farmers since the banning of major pesticides by the European Union. Thus, if the results of the trials are successful, the pests could be eliminated even without the use of pesticides.
Dr. Peter Urwin of the University of Leeds, stressed that the experiment is purely academic and that there are no commercial agenda behind it. They plan to finish the experiment in two years and will be confidential to prevent interference of attackers who vandalized their former field testing in Yorkshire.
For more information, visit http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2010/100401b.htm.
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