Biotech Cassava could help alleviate Hunger in Developing Nations
In many regions around the world, simple grains, such as cereal grains, cannot be grown because of the climate, soil conditions, or other factors. So, people ion these areas often rely upon roots, tubers, and starchy vegetables for the majority of their calories and nourishment. One of the more prominent starchy staples is cassava, a tropical plant of South American origin whose roots are a vital staple for over 600 million people in regions of Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Now, scientists and researchers in the United States have genetically modified cassava plants to produce dramatically larger roots that could ultimately help alleviate hunger in developing nations around the world.
Scientists from Ohio State University, the Henry A. Wallace Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC), and BASF Plant Science, a plant biotechnology company, have inserted a bacterial gene that affects starch production into a cassava plant’s DNA. After months of growing these biotech plants in glasshouse conditions, the genetically modified cassava plants produced more roots that were up to 2.6 times bigger than their non-modified counterparts. These genetically modified cassava plants also produced more leaves, which are often consumed by people in many regions of Africa as a source of protein, minerals, and vitamins.
The scientists’ findings were published online in the Plant Biotechnology Journal earlier this month.
Throughout the world, cassava is cultivated for its tuberous roots and a variety of food products are produced from the plant including breads, flour, an alcoholic beverage, and tapioca. The cassava’s starchy roots produce more food energy per unit of land than any other staple crop. Nutritionally, the cassava is comparable to the potato, except that it has twice the fiber content and a higher level of potassium.
In addition to helping alleviate hunger in developing countries, the scientists hope there will be an interest in releasing these biotech cassava plants to African nations free of charge.
From creating rice crops that have been genetically engineered to produce proteins to help infants avoid death from diarrhea to developing drought resistant corn and other crops, scientists and researchers all over the world have been working to address this vital need of alleviating hunger in growing populations around the world. The development of genetically engineered cassava roots is a great step in helping to end this problem because so many people rely upon this food for their nourishment. My hope is that vital research continues and that new genetically modified foods can be developed in order to help these developing nations thrive into the future.
Comments
Very interested in knowing more about current research results on the modified Cassava plants. Also, would like to know how we can cooperstre in researching furhteer on this under local conditions in Swaziland southern Africa.
thank you
Wilson
Posted by: wilson Sikhondze | September 15, 2006 02:18 AM