Boilgard II: a new generation of Bt Genes commercialized

摘要

The first transgenic cotton resistant to lepidoteran pests was approved for commercial utilization in Australia and the USA in 1996/97. The gene has proved its worth in a number of countries across continents, but controversy still continues regarding its environmental safety. Even though some countries are convinced that'the technology is safe, they are not willing to adopt it because of potential trade implications with importing countries that are not yet convinced that the technology is risk-free. Thus, efforts to promote and adopt transgenic cotton varieties are continuing, and much area is already under commercial production. It is expected that the greatest increase in area in 2003/04 will be in China (Mainland) and India. Colombia is expected to become a transgenic cotton-growing country in 2003/04, and a number of other countries will intensify their efforts in the field of biotechnology to get closer to the commercialization stage.