US Permits Genetically Modified Cotton as Human Food Source
The United States government has given its permission for people to consume genetically modified cotton.
The Reuters news agency says the government's approval could lead to a new food product: a kind of cottonseed, filled with protein.
The genetically engineered cotton plant is the idea of scientists at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas. They believe their product could help people around the world.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the approval on October 11. The ruling means that the cottonseed could be made available as food for people and all kinds of animals.
Keerti Rathore is a plant biotechnologist with Texas A&M AgriLife Research. He said he and other scientists are holding discussions with companies. They hope to have the plant available for purchase within about five years.
Rathore said the team will consider asking for government approval in other countries, starting with Mexico.
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