Potato Tuber Moth Resistant Bt Potato

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The Potato Tuber Moth Resistant Bt Potato is a genetically engineered Bt Potato that has genes added so it will produce the insecticide (Bacillus thuringiensis or Bt toxin) in every cell. It was developed by USAID together with Michigan State University by adding a trait from Syngenta to a South African potato variety with the goal of reducing losses in the field and in storage by the potato tuber moth in South Africa.[1][2]

Field trials began in 2002, with a projected commercialization set for 2007. As of June 2005, five of the six planting trials, set in six different ecological areas of South Africa, were completed.[3] A 2008 article notes that the potato had not yet been commercialized and the new timeline anticipated commercialization in 2009.[4]

Partner Organizations

USAID lists the following partner organizations on this project:[2]

Articles and resources

Related SourceWatch articles

References

  1. South Africa, Biosafety Update And State Senior Biotech Advisor Visit, U.S. State Department cable via Wikileaks, June 20, 2005, Accessed September 4, 2011.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Insect Resistant Potatoes: South Africa, USAID Fact Sheet.
  3. South Africa, Biosafety Update And State Senior Biotech Advisor Visit, U.S. State Department cable via Wikileaks, June 20, 2005, Accessed September 4, 2011.
  4. "Hot potato - South Africa's GM potato - a critical analysis," African Centre for Biosafety, March 6, 2008, Accessed September 4, 2011.

External resources

External articles