A GENETICALLY modified (GM) “super spud” claimed by scientists to be healthier to eat, cheaper to grow and better for the environment, could be field tested in Britain next year.
But plans for the trials were condemned this week by critics who argue that genetically modifying crops to create “Frankenfoods” could threaten natural ecosystems and human health.
Scientists at the publicly funded Sainsbury Laboratory in Norwich are hoping to develop the potato using eight genes from other varieties.
They claim this will reduce the risk of potentially harmful acrylamide chemicals forming when potatoes are fried – a problem that has been linked to cancer.
The added genes will also protect against potato blight, which costs UK farmers £60 million (R1 billion) a year in losses and use of fungicides, and nematode worms.
Jonathan Jones, a professor who is leading the project and is already in negotiations with the US firm Simplot to commercialise the potato, said GM technology was the only way to achieve such results.
Anti-GM groups said on Wednesday that such a project would be a waste of taxpayers’ money. – Daily Mail