Genetically developed potato in market

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, DEC. 8. A genetically engineered variety of potato that will be rich in protein is likely to be available in the market soon. Scientists have already conducted the necessary tests and are ready for field trials.

The new biotech potato assumes importance as the existing varieties have negligible concentration of protein. The new variety, being developed by scientists at the National Centre for Plant Genome Research (NCPGR) here, is expected to have a 14 per cent protein content.

Dr. Manju Sharma, Secretary, Department of Biotechnology, said NCPGR scientists were in the final stages of developing techniques for introducing antigens against rabies and cholera into cabbage and tomato respectively, as part of a programme to develop what were called edible vaccines.

The NCPGR scientists were studying the genetic structure of chick pea and catharanthus flower, which was the source of raw material for several anti-cancer drugs, with a view to improving their yields, she said.

Meanwhile, the DBT has come out with a compendium of technologies developed under a DBT-sponsored scheme for improvement and generation of planting material in the areas of forestry, horticulture and plantation crops through the modern tissue culture methods.

The compendium was released at a brief function here on Wednesday by the Union Science and Technology Minister, Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi.

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Section  : Science & Tech