US says Bioceres genetically modified wheat can be grown safely (updated)

Bioceres Crop Solutions

27/08/2024 19:46

(Adds quote and details on commercialization process)
       CHICAGO, Aug 27 (Reuters) - A type of genetically
modified wheat developed by Argentina's Bioceres Crop Solutions
 BIOX.O  may be safely grown and bred in the United States, the
U.S. Department of Agriculture said on Tuesday.
    Additional steps, including field trials, are still needed
prior to U.S. commercialization of HB4 wheat that is modified to
tolerate drought, industry group U.S. Wheat Associates said. It
will take years for Bioceres to complete the additional steps,
the association said.
    Genetic modification involves altering a plant's makeup by
transferring DNA from one organism to another and is common in
crops such as corn, used for livestock feed. Some consumer
groups oppose genetic modification of wheat over concerns about
human health since it is widely used to make bread and pasta,
and therefore consumed directly by humans.
    "Wherever wheat is grown in the world, drought takes its
toll on yields and quality, so an innovation like HB4 holds a
lot of interest for growers like me," said Michael Peters, an
Oklahoma wheat grower and past chairman of U.S. Wheat
Associates.

 (Reporting by Tom Polansek and Julie Ingwersen in Chicago and
Maximilian Heath in Buenos Aires; Editing by Chris Reese and
Jonathan Oatis)
 ((Thomas.Polansek@thomsonreuters.com))