Tasmania harvests GM poppies
Tasmania's latest trial of genetically modified poppies has
been harvested in the state's north-west.
Poppy trials are permitted under Tasmania's moratorium on GM crops, and
the CSIRO is hoping the GM varieties will yield higher levels of
morphine, for use in the pharmaceutical industry.
Principal research scientist, Dr Phil Larkin, says the crop was
hand-harvested, and every precaution taken to prevent stray seeds being
carried away from the site.
"Everyone involved in it has to suit up with disposable suits and
masks and gloves and safety goggles and things, and boots, and they're
all working inside an area which is completely enclosed, first with
animal-proof fencing, electrified, and then inside a netted area,"
he said.
"The whole trial is inside a net so that no birds, in fact most
insects, can't get in there either."
http://abc.net.au/news/justin/nat/newsnat-10mar2003-56.htm
