The team inserted this RNA-making gene next to a piece of cotton-plant DNA that
activates genes only in seeds, so gossypol production would continue elsewhere in the
plants.
plants.
When the scientists grew the engineered plants, they looked for the dark-colored
gossypol glands typically present throughout normal cotton plants. The engineered
plants had these glands everywhere except in their seeds. Chemical tests showed that
the new seeds had only 2 percent as much gossypol as normal cottonseeds do. This
reduced amount is considered safe by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
plants had these glands everywhere except in their seeds. Chemical tests showed that
the new seeds had only 2 percent as much gossypol as normal cottonseeds do. This
reduced amount is considered safe by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
The scientists report their finding in the Nov. 28 Proceedings of the National Academy
of Sciences.
of Sciences.
Rathore says that nobody on the team has yet eaten any of the seeds. “Our seeds are
extremely precious, and we didn‘t want to waste any until we produced enough. When
we bulk up our seed stocks, I’ll be the first person to try [eating] them,” he says.
extremely precious, and we didn‘t want to waste any until we produced enough. When
we bulk up our seed stocks, I’ll be the first person to try [eating] them,” he says.
Andrew Jordan, who is vice president of technical services for the Memphis, Tenn.
based National Cotton Council, calls the team‘s accomplishment “potentially very
important.”
based National Cotton Council, calls the team‘s accomplishment “potentially very
important.”
Developing cottonseeds that don’t contain gossypol is “a topic that we‘ve established as
a research priority. It looks like this group has finally found a genetic solution to
address this industry problem,” he says.
a research priority. It looks like this group has finally found a genetic solution to
address this industry problem,” he says.
Jordan notes that since cotton is frequently grown in developing countries, where
dietary protein can be scarce, the new seeds could offer “an important protein source
for many, many people.”
dietary protein can be scarce, the new seeds could offer “an important protein source
for many, many people.”
From Science News, Vol. 170, No. 22, Nov. 25, 2006, p. 339.
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