http://www.granma.cu/ingles/cuba-i/20maiz-mayo.html
Havana. May 21, 2010 Genetically modified Cuban corn receives license for planting and consumption . The new variety, developed by scientists at Havana's Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Center and the Liliana Dimitrova Horticultural Research Institute, is resistant to the main plague that attacks that grain on the island Lilliam Riera GENETICALLY modified corn developed by Cuban scientists has been planted on a large scale since last year in six of the country's 14 provinces: La Habana, Matanzas, Villa Clara, Sancti Spíritus, Ciego de Avila and Camagüey. Doctor Carlos Borroto, deputy director of Havana's Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Center (CIGB), who spoke with Granma International, noted that the crop now covers a total area of more than 1,000 hectares, and it was later decided that the new variety (FR-Bt1) would receive three essential licenses for continuing to assess its safety and efficiency. In early 2009, licenses were granted for its consumption (by the Institute of Food Hygiene and Safety of the Ministry of Public Health), large-scale planting (by the National Center of Biological Safety attached to the Ministry of Science, Technology and the Environment), and the registration of the variety, by the Ministry of Agriculture (MINAGRI). The new variety is the fruit of a Cuban project begun in the year 2000, developed from the outset by a team from the CIGB plant division and specialists with the Liliana Dimitroval Institute of Horticultural Research. Its objective: the development of a variety of corn resistant to the main plague that attacks this grain on the island (the palomilla moth) and a certain type of weed-killer. The CIGB deputy director said that it was developed under strict measures of biosecurity and subjected to rigorous eco-toxologic studies (to measure its impact on other species in its habitat) related to food security. He said that comparative analyses had shown that the nutritional content was the same for the FR-Bt1 and the original, non-modified variety. With respect to yields, he said that they were superior, and that the original, non-modified variety usually obtained from an average of one hectare (ha), the equivalent of no more than one ton (t) of dry corn (grains only). With the FR-Bt1, however, the average obtained from one hectare was 2.5t. In fact, in areas where recommended agricultural techniques were applied (irrigation, on-time harvesting.), more than 4t had been obtained. The genetically modified corn eliminated the damage caused by the palomilla and facilitated weed control without using pesticides. Currently, according to the requirements of the licenses obtained, a detailed monitoring process is being followed, both for the medium and long terms, to determine the effects on biodiversity. Up until now, the findings have been positive, Borroto said. Cuba has scientists at the highest level in this area; equipment for modern biotechnology; strong regulatory bodies for ensuring safety in the use of these crops (both for the environment and for human and animal consumption), and an enormous amount of political will for support, he told reporters during a conference on this specialty in Havana, when the FR-Bt1 variety was still in field trials. CERTIFIED SYSTEM FOR SEED PRODUCTION Borroto also reported that last year, a certified system was established for producing FR-Bt1 seeds, with the goal of ensuring that this is done in a controlled manner, under strict measures of security. He explained that the original seed is being produced at the CIGB in very small quantities (20 kg). The first multiplication takes place in the Institute of Animal Science, to obtain 2t of the basic high-quality seed, and the second and final multiplication is done on specialized MINAGRI farms, to obtain the 200t of registered seed, which will be the source for commercial planting this year. Its harvest, he said, will be allocated for feeding poultry and hogs, and it would thus begin replacing part of the country's importations of this grain. Addressing the latest research, the scientist said that CIGB specialists and the Liliana Dimitrova Horticultural Research Institute were immersed in obtaining genetically modified pure lines from the FR-Bt1, with the goal of crossing them with other non-modified pure Cuban lines with excellent characteristics, in order to obtain hybrids whose yields in practice could be more than 8t per hectare. While the subject of genetically modified crops is controversial, renowned experts believe they can contribute to solving the problem of hunger in a world whose population - 70% of which is rural and poor - continues to grow, while at the same time, prices continue to rise for rice, wheat and corn, essential foods in the diets of many nations. Doctor Clive James, founder and president of the ISAAA, an organization to facilitate the acquisition of agricultural biotechnological applications, was interviewed by this reporter at a biotechnology event in Havana. He said that he thought Cuba's decision to develop a variety of genetically-modified corn was very positive, and he also said he believed the country has the scientific institutions and qualified personnel for taking on the development of these types of crops.
