new-science
GM Cotton Could Feed Poor
November 22nd 2006 05:20
Researchers at Texas A&M University have genetically engineered cotton to produce toxin-free seeds using an RNA interference technique to keep the plant from producing its defensive toxins in the seeds.
Cotton is grown extensively in many countries and produces 1.65 kg of seed for every 1 kg of fiber (numbers from article). With the toxin removed, farmers have access to the high-protein seed as food. Roasted cottonseed kernels have 32 grams of protein per 100 grams of seed. Compare that to beef, which has 25 grams of protein per 100 grams of beef, or pinto beans, with 9 grams of protein per 100 grams of beans.
On the other hand, I'm not sold on eating cottonseed and I heartily dislike patented plants like GM plants are. Wouldn't the money have been better spent developing food crops that are native to those regions suffering famine?
Cotton is grown extensively in many countries and produces 1.65 kg of seed for every 1 kg of fiber (numbers from article). With the toxin removed, farmers have access to the high-protein seed as food. Roasted cottonseed kernels have 32 grams of protein per 100 grams of seed. Compare that to beef, which has 25 grams of protein per 100 grams of beef, or pinto beans, with 9 grams of protein per 100 grams of beans.
On the other hand, I'm not sold on eating cottonseed and I heartily dislike patented plants like GM plants are. Wouldn't the money have been better spent developing food crops that are native to those regions suffering famine?
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Comment by MelissaA
Fun Facts
I wonder how much time, effort and money it's taken for them to develop this?
Comment by katyzzz
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I think you'll find there's a big financial return around the corner for the developers, and it would help
too just adding a little to rice , which is a deficient dietary source for many around the world,could help and I think you'll find the costs would be well and truly recouped..
We really need some expert views on this. I would imagind they'd keep well too. I can see lots of pluses.
katyzzz
Comment by Adele
Lost Fanatic
Day Break TV
They didn't say how long it took them to do this, but it couldn't have been quick, I think. Or cheap.
Comment by Adele
Lost Fanatic
Day Break TV
True, rice is not the most nutritious food, but cotton and rice don't grow in the same environments. Cottonseed oil (contained in the seeds) goes rancid pretty quickly when left unrefrigerated. They wouldn't have too long to eat the seeds.
I'm glad you stopped by my new blog. Thanks.
Comment by Adrian
Philosophy Blog
I find the question hard to answer. I reckon there could be any number of factors operating here, including: (1) possible interest expressed in eating cotton seeds; (2) the chance of success that the researchers initially estimated -- maybe cotton is easier. I dunno...
I don't have many thoughts about the GM issue; I probably should blog on this to force me to think more carefully about it...
Comment by Adele
Lost Fanatic
Day Break TV
It's good to see a philosophy person here. The debate around GM isn't just scientific, but philosophical and ethical as well. My own view is that it's a worthless technology for poor people. They would have to buy any patented plant every year, which means this would have to be a cash crop and they would need to sell it, not eat it.
Most of the "advances" made through GM tech are also possible through traditional plant breeding and common sense.
If you blog about it, I'll be there.