Scientists to alter the spud

WELLINGTON - A research institute has been given the go-ahead to spruce up the humble potato by growing genetically modified varieties.

The Environmental Risk Management Authority has approved an application by the Institute for Crop and Food Research to grow potatoes genetically engineered to resist soft rot and tuber moths.

The authority said the risks of adverse effects were negligible.

Some of the tubers would be altered with genes modelled on those found in giant silk-worms and in African clawed toads.

Crop and Food chief executive Dr Michael Dunbier said the work would enable the institute to produce better potatoes.

"The decision confirms our view that the potential scientific and economic benefits outweigh any risks associated with the trials," he said.

Over the five-year trial, at Lincoln in Canterbury, up to 400 genetically modified potato plants would be grown alongside normal potato varieties.

Dr Dunbier said the trials would be conducted on a research farm and appropriate steps would be taken to minimise risks of any loss of genetically modified material from the site.

In making the decision, the authority said it considered the adequacy of the location of the trials, the likelihood the organism could escape, the risks to the environment and health and safety of people in the event of an escape (including the ability of the organism to hybridise or generate antibiotic resistance in other species).

The application was approved subject to 20 controls, including that the area of the trial be left fallow for three years after the trial finished.

The controls did not state whether the potatoes could be eaten.

At last month's application, critics questioned whether Crop and Food would abide by the trial conditions after it offered genetically modified potatoes for human consumption earlier this year.

At a July conference in Nelson on food science and nutrition, 300 guests were reportedly offered potatoes genetically altered by Crop and Food scientists for higher levels of anti-oxidants and resistance to aphids. They contained a specially inserted gene from the human gut bacteria E. coli.

But a Crop and Food scientist, Tony Conner, said that incident had nothing to do with the latest application.

Last month the authority approved an application for field trials of genetically modified sugar beet, the first new organism taken to a full hearing by the authority.

The authority is also considering an application by Scottish-based drug company PPL Therapeutics to build up a flock of genetically modified sheep on a Waikato farm.

The authority was established to decide on applications for the manufacture, import or release of new organisms. - NZPA