01/21/09 Accepting GMO's

Accepting GMO's I'm Greg Martin with today's Line On Agriculture. Genetically Modified Organism. We say GMO for short and it may sound like something out of a science fiction movie that wrecks havoc with scientists in a space station. In reality it nothing more than the ability to enhance the plants and foods in our world. Is it wrong or right? I won't be the judge but according to Sharon Bomer with the Biotechnology Industry Organization, it is here to stay. BOMER: Biotechnology is one of the fastest ever growing agricultural technologies in the history of mankind. Here in the United States where you have about a harvested crop acreage of about 300-million acres, biotech crops make up almost 50% of that. 86% of cotton is biotech, 92% of soybeans, 80% of corn, 50% of Hawaiian papaya is also biotech That compares to only about 1% of organic acres. Herbicide tolerance and insect tolerance are the most known modifications. Many varieties are what is known as stacked traits with as many as 8 different modifications. Bomer says there are many new things on the horizon. BOMER: We've got a lot of traits and crops that are in development that are drought resistant, can deal with salinity in soils and cold tolerance are 3 of the primary examples. Another trait that is coming to the forefront is nitrogen efficiency so that farmers would not have to apply as much fertilizer on their fields. That is all on the growing side. But what about the consumer side? BOMER: Clearly on the consumer side enhanced nutrition is of key interest. There are already some approved soybeans that have a healthier oil base. Allergen free foods is frequently talked about such as allergen free peanuts. There is an awful lot of work being done in developing countries on cassava. Peru has a very active research program in potatoes. And then of course there is the biofuels side of things where biotechnology is attempting to solve a myriad of issues including the increase of oils and the speedier breakdown of the materials. Bomer was speaking to potato growers at Potato Expo 2009 so briefly discussed some of the work being done on the potato. BOMER: Potatoes with increased starch. A lot of this would be for industrial purposes. Disease resistance, increase in vitamin E, insect tolerance, cold tolerance, drought tolerance and a variety of processing characteristics. Tomorrow, more with Sharon Bomer on GMO's. That's today's Line On Agriculture. I'm Greg Martin on the Northwest Ag Information Network.