Monday, January 14, 2008

Biotechnology Resurrects The Hawaiian Papaya Industry

In1992, Hawaii’s papaya crop was found to be infected with ring spot virus. After numerous efforts to stem the spread of virus, the researchers at the Universities of Cornell and Hawaii respectively developed a virus resistant papaya plant through biotechnology.

The development of the commercial virus-resistant transgenic papaya trees provides a tangible approach to control papaya ring spot virus (PRSV) in Hawaii. Today, these genetically modified papaya trees serve as buffers to prevent the spread of PRSV to non-resistant and conventional papaya trees.

This outstanding contribution of biotechnology is the main reason for the survival of Hawaii’s $16 million papaya industry. Biotechnology is also a leading source of employment and economic development in Hawaii.

The National Institute of Science Media keeps a close watch on the latest breakthroughs in the field of biotechnology. Joel Ball is a renowned authority on biotechnology and has been publishing several books on the subject under the NISM publications.

To know more about National Institute of Science Media publications and Joel Ball you can visit us online by clicking here.

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