SA scientists seek go-ahead for field trials of GM grapes
Oct 25th, 2006 by Axel
South African scientists are developing genetically modified (GM) wine.
The University of Stellenbosch has applied to the government to grow GM grapes in field trials to see how the transgenic plants will fare.
And in a separate application, a former South African now living in Canada has applied to sell GM yeast here for use in wine-making.
The research into GM grapevines hopes to produce grapes which are resistant to fungus, while the GM yeast is said to produce protein-stable wines. Although it will be around five years before Stellenbosch scientists produce their first GM vintage, which will not be released commercially, the GM yeast for wine fermentation will be ready to go onto SA shelves as soon as it gets the nod from the government.
Environmental and consumer groups have lodged strong objections with the Department of Agriculture against GM wine, and have urged them to turn down the application for GM grapes. They say the risk of environmental contamination from GM crops is too great, while a marker gene in the GM grape is antibiotic-resistant.
The local wine industry says even if GM grapes and GM yeast are approved, no winemaker would touch them as all GM substances are banned in wine for local or export consumption.