Good Fruit Grower

November 2013

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"The basic approach is that we inject insect embryos with a package of DNA that contains the lethal gene, along with a fluorescent marker to enable us to detect which insects are modified," Conway said. "Some of the insects we inject will incorporate the injected DNA into their own DNA, which they then pass on to their offspring. Once this happens we can establish a family of modified insects, which we can rear in the lab." approach to give the crop a ompetitive c advantage, we give the insect itself a distinct disadvantage—the inability to reproduce," Morrison said. Strategies "We think that a number of strategies to use our approach will evolve depending on the crop pest and the farmers' needs," Parry said. One option is areawide control or elimination of a target pest, as is the goal of traditional radiation-based sterile insect releases. Another is preventative releases to prevent a seasonal peak in a pest population. It could be integrated into an IPM strategy or used preharvest when insecticides are restricted. Oxitec was founded as a spinoff from the University of Oxford, and has carried F or more information on the company and its technology, go to www.oxitec.com. out mosquito control work in partnership with global health institutions such as the Wellcome Trust, the Gates Foundation,   and the World Economic Forum. • Key advantages A key advantage of this approach is that it is completely specific to the target species, Conway added. Where chemicals might harm many insect species besides the pest—some of them beneficial—male olive flies will only mate with female olive flies, and the same for other species. "There's no better agent for tracking down female pest insects than males on the hunt for a mate." —Michael Conway "So, at a time when many pests are showing resistance to commonly used pesticides, and there are growing environmental concerns about the use of others, we can both reduce chemical use and eliminate unwanted off-target effects on other species," Conway said. "There's no better agent for tracking down female pest insects than males on the hunt for a mate—and that makes for an extremely efficient and effective approach," he said. While Europeans tend not to favor genetically modified crops, it is not clear how they may react to genetically modified crop pests. But Hadyn Parry, Oxitec's chief executive, thinks European farmers need to find and embrace new solutions. No toxins "GM technology in agriculture is normally associated with modification of the food crop and giving it a competitive advantage in terms of boosting its defense against insects," says Dr. Neil Morrison, who leads Oxitec's diamondback moth project. "But at Oxitec we have taken an alternative approach; we harness genetics to provide the effect we want without making any permanent change to the species and without the gene persisting in the environment." Nor does the gene produce toxins, as does the Bt gene that gives genetically modified crops, like corn and cotton, their defense against some insects. "Rather than use a recombinant DNA www.goodfruit.com Domex Superfresh Growers®, owned by the Kershaw family, is using the power of social engagement to connect growers to consumers. We are achieving reliable performance with exceptional sales and marketing for our family of growers while delighting consumers everywhere. Call us today to learn more about growing with Superfresh Growers®. We know what's trending NOW. Our difference makes all the difference™ 151 Low Rd., Yakima, WA. 98908 | superfreshgrowers.com Good Fruit Grower NOVEMBER 2013 19

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