Genetically Engineered Rice Project in Missouri Can Help People in Developing Countries
Farmers in northwestern Missouri are participating in a project to grow genetically engineered rice plants that can be used to help people in developing countries (Can Gene Altered Rice Rescue the Farm Belt? The New York Times, 8/16/05).
This rice project is being backed by Ventria Bioscience, a biotechnology company that also has conducted a similar crop project in North Carolina with approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which I discussed in one of my previous postings (“New Type of Rice to Help Third World Countries”, 7/29/05). The project has also received the support of the state of Missouri as well as support from a local university, Northwest Missouri State University, the company’s academic partner in the project.
The twelve different varieties of genetically engineered rice that Ventria Bioscience has planted are being grown on four test plots in Missouri a few miles from a rice-seed-screening research center in the town. Those involved with the project hope to use the genetically engineered rice plants to produce the proteins lactoferrin and lysomzyme, which are found in human breast milk, human saliva, and tears. Ventria Bioscience plans to convert the proteins into a powder form and use the proteins in granola bars and drinks to help infants and others in developing countries around the world. Once Ventria decides where it will grow rice in Missouri, the company will apply for a permit from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a process that is expected to take two to three months.
The Missouri project, as with the Ventria project in North Carolina, has run into opposition. Environmental groups contend that the genetically-altered rice could contaminate regular rice crops, either by migrant birds carrying the genetically engineered rice seeds into wild areas or through storms and floods carrying the seeds into other areas through the water. This, they claim, could pose a health risk to consumers.
Ventria Bioscience and Northwest Missouri State University stated they can control any contamination that the genetically engineered rice could possibly bring, according to news reports. Both organizations also say that the risks posed by the project are minimal when balanced against the potential for the special rice to help cut the cost of drugs and save lives.
Even beer maker Anheuser-Busch raised some concerns over the rice project. When Ventria was first considering Missouri as a place to grow its rice, it spoke with Anheuser-Busch, which uses Missouri rice in its beer. Anheuser-Busch initially did not raise any opposition to the project. When Ventria tried to plant rice in southern Missouri this past spring, Anheuser-Busch threatened not to but any rice grown in the state. The company was afraid of a consumer backlash if people thought the gene-altered rice could end up in their bottles of beer.
The two companies reached an agreement in April of this year. Ventria agreed not to grow its genetically-engineered rice within 120 miles of commercial rice crops, which allows Anheuser-Busch to continue to purchase rice grown and processed in Missouri.
The Ventria rice project in Missouri offers much promise. The proteins grown in these rice plants can have an impact on the health and well-being of humans around the world, especially young children and infants. For the state of Missouri, the project may reverse the long decline in the area’s farm economy. For the farmers, the project can offer a more stable income that does not rely on government subsidies. Despite the opposition and concerns raised by environmental groups, the need for products produced from genetically modified plants and the acceptance by consumers will continue to grow.
Comments
it is having a good scope in biotech field.so i n my group intrested to do project in ur institute.kindly contact me n give detail information regarding this.
thanking u.
waiting 4ur reply
Posted by: sunita parida | November 3, 2007 11:54 AM