Robin McKie in London
SCIENTISTS are developing the ultimate in designer genes: genetically engineered plants that produce naturally blue cotton. The aim is to make denims that can be manufactured without dyeing.
The blue-gene project, created by United States chemical giant Monsanto, reveals the flourishing power of crop geneticists. Last year, this resulted in a swath of crops, genetically altered to combat pests.
This year, 10 million acres of modified soya bean will be grown, 10% of the US total, while 2,5-million acres of modified cotton, out of a national total of 15- million, will be planted. By-products are already sold in the United Kingdom.
“Genetically engineered crops are here to stay,” says Professor Donald Grierson of Nottingham University in England.
Having established the basic technology, groups are now pressing ahead with more exotic research, such as the blue-gene project.
“We have successfully inserted blue pigment genes into cotton plants, and have got them to express colour,” says Dr Colin Merritt, technical manager at Monsanto. “We have produced blue lint directly from cotton plants.”
The process is patchy, Monsanto admits. “We have still got to ensure pigment is produced consistently by the plant,” says director Dr Stephen Moll. “Then we will have blue- gene cotton. That will take a couple of years.”
In addition, the company is putting into plants genes that prevent cotton fibres from twisting or wrinkling – with the aim of creating drip-dry shirts made of natural fibre.
Companies say gene crops offer huge ecological bonuses. “Our current range of cotton plants have been inserted with a gene that makes a chemical that kills insect pests and so need little spraying with insecticides,” said Merritt.
“By contrast, normal cotton needs spraying a dozen times a year. The cotton industry uses a million tons of sprays, 40% of the US agricultural industry’s total. Our plants will reduce that load.”
But eco-campaigners fear anti-pest genes could spread from crops, creating families of superweeds. “The whole business is unpredictable,” said Greenpeace’s Ian Taylor.