Potatoes Planted in 2nd Test of Altered Bacteria

Scientists planted a special crop of potatoes treated with genetically altered bacteria in a rural one-acre plot Wednesday, marking the second environmental release of such an organism in California in less than a week.

The planting drew 15 policemen and 15 reporters but did not inspire picketing by the experiment’s critics.

Tulelake Police Chief Joe Galeoto said, “We didn’t even get a phone call. No threats or anything.”

The test involves treatment of potato eyes with Ice Minus bacteria developed by the University of California to prevent formation of frost.

The initial tests are designed primarily to determine how effectively the bacteria establish themselves and to what degree they will migrate to adjacent plants. The one-acre test plot is surrounded by a 50-foot buffer zone.

A similar test in Brentwood, 300 miles to the south in Contra Costa County, began Friday.

That test, the first such outdoor application, involved a slightly different bacteria called Frostban developed by the university and marketed by an Oakland firm, Advanced Genetic Sciences.

Frostban is intended for certain blossoming plants and Ice Minus is intended for rooting plants. Both involve bacteria altered in the laboratory to remove a protein necessary for the formation of frost crystals.

Critics contend that introduction of anything genetically altered poses a risk of unforeseen results.

Members of Concerned Citizens of Tulelake, a community near the Oregon border, and other groups filed suit against the university in an attempt to prevent the experiment, but the case was settled after the university agreed to prepare an environmental impact report.

Ava Edgar, a member of the citizens group, said her main objection is that “nature has its own set of checks and balances, and I fear that this will knock everything out of kilter, but I hope I’m wrong.”