Plastic from GM potatoes underway in Germany

Field trials at the University of Rostock, Germany, are assessing genetically modified potatoes, which can be used to obtain a biodegradable plastic. Scientists at the Berlin-based university have developed a protein called cyanophycin, a biodegradable plastic, from potato tubers and leaves. According to researchers it is possible to produce biodegradable polymers (biopolymers) in plants which [...]

New technology should help potato breeding advance

Advances in breeding technology should help quicken the pace of developments in potato varieties, says Gerard Backx, managing director of potato seed company HZPC. The possibility of using genetic modification techniques to insert genes from within the potato’s natural gene pool (cisgenesis) to create new varieties was raised by Mr Backx. “It can take decades [...]

GM crop trial halted after crop destruction

A trial of genetically modified potatoes that could help protect billions of pounds worth of crops from disease is to be abandoned after scientists admitted it was futile to conduct such research on crops in the UK. The scientists claim that sabotage by environmental protesters has made it too expensive to conduct GM crop trials [...]

Spunta variety ‘goes GMO’ in South Africa

South Africa’s Agricultural Research Council (ARC) has developed a new potato variety resistant to the potato tuber moth, a major pests causing millions worth of harvest loss in major solanaceous crops. The transgenic potato SpuntaG2, developed through the support of the United States Agency for International development (USAID), now awaits safety assessment and general release [...]