In a message dated 1/7/00 22:41:40, bradbury@genebee.msu.su wrote:
>On Fri, 7 Jan 2000, Bryan Moss wrote:
>
>> Are any organisations developing GM crops specifically
>> tailored to grow in harsh climates (extreme cold, drought,
>> etc)? Wouldn't it make sense to have a non-profit
>> organisation developing such crops with the explicit purpose
>> of eradicating hunger in the third world? It would be hard
>> for the anti-GM fanatics to oppose such an organisation.
>>
>
>I believe the Rockefeller Foundation may be involved in doing
>some nutritional engineering. I think several governments
>are pushing on salt tolerance. To go much further in cold,
>drought, etc. we probably need more genomes done.
There's already some work done. One of the targets for salt
resistance (glycinebetaine) also provides salt and freeze
resistance.
I also read once about a researcher who's trying to put virus
resistance into sweet potatoes. It wouldn't be a big moneymaker
but sweet potatoes are a staple in many 3rd world countries,
and that specifically is why she's doing it.
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Thu Jul 27 2000 - 14:02:08 MDT