January 28, 2004
These Danish developed flowers have the potential to save lives:
A Danish biotech company has developed a genetically modified flower that could help detect land mines and it hopes to have a prototype ready for use within a few years.
What a unique innovation. The only trick is sowing the seeds. Here is how they intend to jump that hurdle:
"We are really excited about this, even though it's early days. It has considerable potential," Simon Oestergaard, chief executive of developing company Aresa Biodetection, told Reuters in an interview on Tuesday.
The genetically modified weed has been coded to change color when its roots come in contact with nitrogen-dioxide (NO2) evaporating from explosives buried in soil.
Within three to six weeks from being sowed over land mine infested areas the small plant, a Thale Cress, will turn a warning red whenever close to a land mine.
Oestergaard said the problem of sowing the seeds in a potential land mine could be overcome by clearing strips through a field by conventional methods or by using crop planes.
I know that the Anti-GM (Genetically Modified) people will go nuts over this idea, despite the number of lives which could be saved. Even measures like this won't sway those people:
Oestergaard said the modified weed was infertile and unable to spread its seeds, meaning the risk was minimal that the plant would spread into unwanted areas.
The article notes that Peace activists say tens of thousands are injured, maimed or killed each year. These figures are probably inflated somewhat, but land mines do remain a very real danger in many countries.
(Hat-tip to Free Republic)
