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| Hilo, Hawaii News, Sports, & Information |
Thursday, September 2, 2010 |
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Posted: Wednesday, May 25th, 2005 5:36 AM HST
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Researchers agree to stop genetic modification of Hawaiian taro
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HONOLULU (AP) _ The University of Hawaii has agreed to stop genetic modification research on Hawaiian varieties of taro.
Some Native Hawaiian activists has complained about the research because the plant used to make poi is viewed as a sacred ancestor.
University researchers had been looking to introduce genes from disease-resistant rice into both the Chinese and Hawaiian varieties of taro. The aim would be to make the taro more resistant to disease and pests.
The first step of taking a tissue culture of the plants has so far only been successful with the Chinese taro.
Andrew Hashimoto is the dean and director of the U-H College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources.
He says before any experiments move forward with Hawaiian taro, researchers will discuss it with the Hawaiian community first, rather than after or during the projects.
(Copyright 2005 Associated Press. All rights reserved.)
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