American researchers have sequenced the Cacao tree genome. According to the Mars researcher Dr Howard Yana-Shapiro, this will “save the chocolate industry”.
Dr Shapiro chooses his words very carefully.
Nowhere in this BBC report and interview will you find the terms “genetically modified” or even “genetically engineered”.
Scientists will engineer higher yielding trees, and characteristics will be “maximised on a genetic basis”. This is “science-driven agriculture” and this is a “Green Revolution”.
The basic problem is to make more cacao from fewer trees and less land.
New cacoa strains will be developed to achieve this. They will help biodiversity and farmers welfare. They will allow more efficient land-use so freeing up land for other food crops such as yams, sorghum and plantains.
This science-driven agriculture will give cultural stability, environmental stability, social stability and will protect the remaining forest land, according to Dr Shapiro.
We will also be able to enjoy tastier (is this possible?) and healthier chocolate.
Mars has also published the genome directly in the public domain and protected it from patents for perpetuity. I am sure this was done with the best of intentions but it will also protect the multi-national company from at least some accusations of profit-driven research.
Will the public be fooled by the change in language? Unlikely I think, and I am waiting to see reactions to the plans for GM chocolate. Public attitudes in Europe seem to have been becoming more positive towards GM crops in recent years. Here is one litmus test…
//Esther Crooks
Link to the Mars global commitments page: http://www.mars.com/global/commitments.aspx
