"Torsten Brinch" wrote in message
news
On Sun, 24 Aug 2003 07:23:23 GMT, "Gordon Couger"
wrote:
On Sun, 17 Aug 2003 11:32:40 +0200, Torsten Brinch
posted:
On Sun, 17 Aug 2003 09:00:11 GMT, "Gordon Couger"
wrote:

GM seeds can be develop in a short time

Myth: Genetic engineering reduces development time.

[Fact:]
The actual plant breeding work in genetically modified
varieties is the same as for conventional varieties, but
before this breeding work can start, there is the need for
extensive molecular development.

It is generally more expensive to develop genetically
modified varieties and bring them to market than
conventional varieties, because of the additional research
and development work, and additional regulatory
requirements.

Try and get the genetics for the resistance to the blight that caused the
Irish potato famine into commercial varieties with conventional breeding.

I assume you mean genetics from _Solanum bulbocastanum_. Resistance
genes from it were reported to have been transferred to potatoes using
conventional breeding methods by 2000, and using genetic engineering
by 2003. However, no commercial seed potatoes have become available
from the introgression by either method so far, and expected time of
arrival of any commercial seed potatoes on the market is unknown.

Gordon, hypothetical commercial GM seed potatoes of the future, which
have not yet been developed into existence are not very good examples
of short development time of GM seeds. I am pretty sure Novartis is
referring to actual experience from developing actually existing
commercial GM varieties, when they say GM varieties generally take a
bit more time to develop than new conventionally bred varieties.

They have been trying for years and genetic engineering methods got it
done
when conventional breeding had failed time and time again.

See above. It's gone in by either method, however, the development
time for commercially available seeds with _Solanum bulbocastanum_
late blight resistance genetics is just not known. You can't use an
unknown development time to exemplify short development time, that
ought to be selfevident.

You don't need to develop seeds with genetic engineering as you do with
conventional breeding.

Gordon