Genetically modified (GM) blue roses may soon be growing in Australian gardens. Florigene Pty Ltd, a company that uses biotechnology techniques for the development of new varities of some of the most important cut flowers like roses, has applied to Australia’s office of the gene technology regulator (OGTR) for a licence for release of GM hybrid Tea rose into the Australian environment.
The GM rose, created by Florigene and Japan-based Suntory Company after twelve years of joint research, contains two genes that are derived from flowering plants and have been shown to alter flower colour from pink to purple to blue. In addition, the line contains an antibiotic resistance gene that provides resistance to the antibiotic kanamycin and was used for the selection of transformed plants in the laboratory.
The GM rose line submitted for commercial approval is one of the three lines the OGTR approved for a limited and controlled release in March 2006.
The purpose of the proposed release is the propagation of parent plants and the growing demand of plants for cut flowers. According to a note from the office of gene technology regulator (OGTR) of Australia, “Florigene intends to grow GM rose plants and handle the cut flowers in the same manner as conventional rose plants. Parent plants and plants for cut flowers would be grown by growers registered with Florigene. Flowers that are produced would be sold through normal commercial distribution channels to the public all over Australia.”
The note adds that a consultation risk assessment and risk management plan (RARMP) has been prepared which concludes that the proposed release would pose negligible risk to human health and safety or to the environment. The public opinion gathering process is expected till May 6, 2009 and after that the licence for commercial release may be granted.
