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A
genetically engineered tomato on the vine
The
Killer Tomatoes
Somewhere,
someone is crossing a fish with a tomato. Researchers are inserting
an antifreeze gene from the winter flounder to produce a cold-resistant
love apple, one that American consumers seem indifferent to but
has Europeans taking to the streets to keep off their shelves.
These
are the front lines of the genetics revolution, the practical
applications of the truly amazing discoveries of the past two
decades. Here are miracles and wonders that could help feed an
ever-more crowded world: extra-starch potatoes, coffee beans
grown decaf right on the vine, low-sugar strawberries. Wonder
Bread-quality wheat courtesy a plant with extra gluten built
right in. Super high-protein grains that could be a boon to the
developing world. And cotton and potatoes with herbicide-producing
genes that could eliminate the need for toxic sprays.
Here
are dragons: Activists worry that plants with an innate herbicide
might breed a new generation of resistant "super insects."
Or that man-made seeds might cross-pollinate with other plant
species, with unknown and potentially devastating results. Already,
early studies show Monsanto's highly popular Bt corn could prove
devastating to Monarch butterflies.
Then
there's the matter of intellectual property. To protect its billion-dollar
investment, Monsanto hopes to introduce an elegantly malevolent
technology, called "Terminator," that is a set of genetic
instructions that render a seed sterile after just one planting
-- thus enforcing the company's copyright.
From
a biotech standpoint, this is a marvel, what one scientist has
called "the most intricate application of genetic engineering
to date." From a human standpoint, it's a potential time
bomb. The UN has already expressed concern that Terminator seeds
could force farmers into total dependence on seed companies.
Others are worried about possible cross-pollination that could
render other plants sterile. Meanwhile, the U.S. Army War College
is reportedly intrigued about the possibilities of technologies
that could tell plants to commit suicide on demand. Which means
the only certain thing is that there's a crop dustup in our future.
from
TIME
Will Frankenfood
Feed The World?
Genetically
modified food has met fierce opposition among well-fed Europeans,
but it's the poor and the hungry who need it most
JUNE
19, 2000
Make Way for Frankenfish!
What
Happens To These Ordinary Salmon If The Genetically Modified
Lunkers Ever Get Loose?
MARCH
6, 2000
Who's Afraid of Frankenfood?
So
far, mostly just Europeans. But thanks to a little uncertainty
and a lot of agitprop, that's changing
NOVEMBER
29, 1999
Of Corn and Butterflies
U.S.
farmers are planting 20 million acres of bioengineered corn.
Will it poison the monarchs?
MAY
31, 1999
The Suicide Seeds
Terminator
genes could mean big biotech bucks--but big trouble too, as a
grass-roots protest breaks out on the Net
JANUARY
19, 1999
Brave New Farm
Fears
of "Frankenstein" food run deep, especially in Europe
JANUARY
11, 1999
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