Ecobreves – CUBA: Transgenic Crop Production Begins

By IPS Correspondents and - - Reprint | | Print |

HAVANA, Mar 9 2009 (IPS) - Cuba has started planting transgenic corn as part of a field trial to obtain seeds to be used in food production. The seed in question is a Cuban variety that has been genetically modified to make it resistant to the fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda), the leading pest affecting corn in this country. It is also tolerant to a herbicide, and its cultivation is expected to give higher yields, according to local press media.

While prior research is subject to biological and environmental controls, extensive production of transgenic crops will meet up with resistance from national academics.

Economist Armando Nova said to Tierramérica that, among other problems, extreme homogenization of food production with genetically modified crops would give rise to highly resistant pests and weeds, which could destroy biodiversity.