First GM Bananas Harvested

Summary posted by Meridian on 3/18/2010
Source: Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Author: Siobhan Barry

Researchers at Queensland University of Technology in Australia say they have harvested their first crop of experimental genetically modified (GM) bananas, targeted for ultimate use by farmers in East Africa. The research is aimed at increasing banana's vitamin and mineral content. "This first planting is demonstrating that at least one of the combinations of genes . . . is working really well for pro vitamin A, and we're concentrating on that," said James Dale of the Queensland University. "But we've still got a lot of fruit to assess. The next lot will be particularly around iron and the accumulation of iron in the fruit," Dale said. The article can be viewed online at the link below.

The original article may still be available at greenbio.checkbiotech.org/news/first_gm_bananas_harvested

As tagged by Meridian Institute:

Topics: Product development, Risks and benefits: human health, Scientific research
Regions: East and South Asia and the Pacific, Sub-Saharan Africa
Stakeholders: Academia

Related Forums:

• Scientific research and product development
• Risks and benefits: human health

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