Biotech Wheat and Rice Expected by 2003

Farm scientists said Sunday that genetically modified wheat, barley and rice could be available commercially within three years, though the recent controversy surrounding StarLink bio-corn could hinder their arrival.

James Cook, wheat scientist for Washington State University, said Monsanto’s Roundup Ready wheat, used to control weeds, could be available to farmers by 2003.

If approved by government regulators and not shunned by consumers, it would be the first genetically modified wheat joining a basket of crops already bioengineered including corn, soybeans and cotton.

Cook said as a result of the StarLink corn incident, the wheat industry has promised not to make the same mistakes in its marketing of bio-wheat.

“StarLink was a wake-up call for us,” Cook said during a panel discussion at the American Farm Bureau Federation convention. “Because of StarLink, science has really had to clean up its act.”

StarLink, made by Aventis SA and engineered to repel pests, was approved by U.S. regulators only for animal feed and industrial uses because of concerns the bio-corn could cause allergic reactions in humans.

Traces of StarLink corn have been discovered in grocery store products, setting off a massive recall of more than 300 kinds of taco shells, chips, cornmeal and other foods.

“Because of StarLink, we would never push for anything just for feed and not for food,” Cook said.

Ellen Terpstra, president of the USA Rice Institute, said Aventis expected to unveil the first genetically modified rice, called Liberty Herbicide, to consumers by 2003. The bio-rice variety would be used to repel red rice, a devastating weed that is a significant problem in the South.

“In the wake of StarLink, Aventis has assured the industry it would not release it if the market was not ready for it,” Terpstra said.

Both scientists agreed that when genetically modified wheat, barley and rice hit the markets they would need to be segregated because of foreign buyers such as Japan and Europe, who have banned a number of biotech crops because of consumer fears.

“We have learned our lessons from StarLink, and we will work harder with other countries for their acceptance before new GM crops go on the marketplace,” Terpstra said.