Japan Sets Up R&D Team to Promote Genetically-Modified Crops for Biofuel

22 May 2007

Asahi Shimbun. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan has set up a study team to spur commercialization of genetically-modified crops for biofuel instead of food, which has been largely shunned by the Japanese public.

By promoting the commercialization of GM fields for fuel, the ministry hopes to eventually gain the public’s trust in using GM crops for human consumption.

The study team, comprising specialists and executives of consumer and producer groups, will draw up a medium-term strategy and a scheduled program for research, development and commercialization of GM crops. It is expected to propose concrete plans to commercialize inedible GM crops in five to 10 years.