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Article: Gene contamination concerns over-ruled. (genetically engineered crop) (Genetic Engineering)
- Article from:
- Chemistry and Industry
- Article date:
- May 2, 1994
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1994 Society of Chemical Industry. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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British government advisers have approved a genetically engineered crop which is resistant to a specific herbicide, although a minority opposed it. But the new plant cannot be marketed in Europe until the other 11 European Union member states have considered it.
A Belgian company, Plant Genetic Systems, engineered the oilseed rape so that it contained tobacco genes and four genes from bacteria. The rape is resistant to the herbicide Basta, which is manufactured by Hoechst, and an antibiotic. PGS has granted Hoechst a license on patents on all its Basta-resistant products.
PGS says it has designed the male plants to be sterile to prevent cross-breeding. In ...