BASF, one of Europe’s major players, plans to invest $320 million over the next three years in agricultural biotechnology development. The company sees GM crops as the future for food technology.

Companies do not invest unless they perceive an adequate return; BASF no doubt sees sufficient demand or it would not be heading down this track. And with reason – more and more farmers round the world are planting GM crops. Even in Europe, traditionally said to be hostile to this technology, events are moving forward: six countries, five of them (the Czech Republic, France, Germany Portugal and Spain) in the EU and one (Romania) still outside, having been growing GM crops commercially.

BASF's Plant Science division employs some 500 people, part of the global BASF Research Verbund, a large, international R & D network comprised of numerous co-operations with research institutes, universities and biotech companies.

BASFs gene-discovery research activity is embodied in Metanomics, based in Germany. Scientists there identify the metabolic functions of plant genes so enabling them to build up an integrated view of plant biochemistry and its genetic foundations which will help to develop plants with specific desired characteristics.

Metanomics collaborates with SunGene, another BASF Plant Science company focussing on metabolic engineering of biosynthetic pathways in order to increase the content in plants of valuable compounds such as vitamins, carotenoids and proteins. SunGene also develops transformation and enabling technologies for highly efficient transfer and expression of genes in crop plants.

BASF's increased involvement in this field reflects the company’s view of a gradual and progressive movement towards acceptance of agricultural biotechnology in Europe: clarity in the regulatory environment, increased demand and, slowly, growing consumer acceptance.

Source:

Anthony Fletcher. BASF confident in future of GM food. Food Navigator (14the April, 2006) (http://www.foodnavigator.com/news/ng.asp?n=67079&m=1FNE414&c=kzldommuocyjajp)

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