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THE BATTALION
7 A
Thursday March 21, 2002
Texas A.&IVI JVIen’s Rugby
will host the first round of national playoffs
at Penberty Fields on March 23-2-4.
GMOs could save the world
Growing population causing need for more food
Saturday
A.ir Force
11:00
New TVlexico State
Sunday
13avlor
11:00
Truman State
12:30
Oklahoma
SpcmsorecC By:
liy Mandi Vest
THE BATTALION
Scientists try to predict world population
numbers and when Earth will reach its car
rying capacity, which may be determined by
one vital thing — food. The world popula
tion reached 6 billion in 1999. The number
will reach 7 billion in 2012, 8 billion by
2027 and 9 billion by 2047, the U.S. Census
Bureau reported.
Researchers at Texas A&M have been
:oncemed about increasing food production.
Asolution to this ever-present problem could
be genetically modified (GM) crops.
Soil and crop scientists seek to find solu-
ions for disease resistance, improved nutri-
onal value and the ability of crops to sur
vive in drought, flood or frost conditions.
Pesticides and herbicides, which pose envi
ronmental risks, have been used to alleviate
uch problems, but genetic modification of
rops can lead to reduced chemical use.
Dr. David Stelly, director of the
Laboratory for Plant Molecular
Cytogenetics, said researchers strive to min
imize use of chemicals that are hazardous or
toxic. Pesticides can affect higher organ
isms. even humans.
“Think from a world standpoint. Think
about a fanner in India who has two acres of
He uses chemical pesticides, herbi-
ides and fertilizer, which he applies him
self, not with a tractor. The exposure he sus-
ns from this poses a great threat to his
ilth” Stelly said.
By modifying the genetic makeup of
ats, disease resistance is improved, thus
increasing crop yields. In Stelly’s depart
ment, researchers analyze Bt cotton, a
genetically modified crop.
A strain of a bacterium, called Bacillus,
produces a substance that serves as a natural
pesticide when it is ingested by insects. This
substance is not toxic to animals or humans.
Scientists found a way to
incorporate the genes from the
bacterium, which are responsi
ble for producing the sub
stance, into the DNA of the
plant. They hoped the
plant would use the
new genes to pro
duce the same nat- j§
ural pesticide.
After much trial
and error, the
experiment
showed suc
cess. Now there
is Bt cotton and
Bt corn, which
are resistant to
many types of
insects.
This is just one
example of genetic
modification.
Another useful
genetic modifica
tion is Roundup
Ready soybean,
cotton and corn.
These organisms
are resistant to
the herbicide
Roundup, a com
mon chemical
used in agricul
ture. The herbicide, which is applied to
fields as plants mature, is not selective to
what plants it affects. Crops would be killed
by Roundup if not for genetic modification.
Dr. Keerti Rathore, assistant professor
in the Institute for Plant Genomics and
Biotechnology, said Roundup Ready
crops are very beneficial in agriculture.
The amount of ground tillage is reduced
and competing weeds are killed. In the
United States, 60 t<~ percent of soybean
12:30
Texas A & M
after th.is, th.e
corporate ladder
will be a piece of
[cake]
DIANA SUAREZ • THE BATTALION
planted is Roundup Ready.
Rathore said presently there are two ways
crops are genetically modified in the lab:
through Agrobacterium incorporation or
with a gene gun. Agrobacterium is a bacteri
um that inserts its own genes into the DNA
of plants, so scientists use this bacterium as
a gene-vector. First, the genes that will be
In the course of facing challenges like this, you’ll learn how
to think on your feet. Stay cool under pressure. Take charge.
Talk to an Army ROTC rep. You’ll find there’s nothing like a
little climbing to help prepare you for getting to the top.
ARMY ROTO
Unlike any other college course you can take.
APPLY NOW FOR PAID SUMMER LEADERSHIP
TRAINING AND ARMY OFFICER OPPORTUNITIES
Call CPT Magee at 845-2814 for information.
See GMOs on page 8A
n page 1A
nage that will
iccessi-
student
anase-
inipiis.
DUTIFUL
"world
Hours:
„ Mon. • $ 31 -
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1.800.2JOIN IN
Shop on-line
verizonwireless.com
lOO Lucky Students Will Be Selected
To Have Free BBQ
At The President's Home With
Ray and Sally Bowen
Monday,
April 1, 2002
6:00 p.m.
^ Students sign up at:
http://rev.tamu.edu/freebbq
Winners will be notified via e-mail
on March 22
For more info call
the Office of University Relations
845 4642
(Rain site: 226 MSC)
VGtl/Onwireless
We never stop working for you. 31
Verizon Wireless Communications Store
COLLEGE STATION
1901 Texas Ave., South
5-3112
Digital
Network
By
Authorized Retailers
Lucent Technologies
VERIZON PHONE MART
5-1271
Seivice and equipment offer and prices may vary at these locations.
Business Sales
CALL TOLL-FREE 1.800.505.5015
VERIZON WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS STORE OPEN SUNDAYS
Subject to terms of Prepay Wireless Service Agreement. Set-up fee up to $35 may apply. Usage rounded to next full minute. Unused minutes lost.
Restrictions apply. For a limited time only. Rebate requests must be postmarked on or before 04/15/02. Original receipt and bar code required, copies
not accepted. Allow 10-12 weeks for rebate checks. Bonus Weekend Minutes do not apply to SMS messages or calls off the Verizon Wireless IFRiE 1
network. Special charge numbers such as International Dialing will use bonus minutes and additional surcharges may apply. Bonus Weekend Minutes
Will deplete with Voice Mail deposits and retrievals. Bonus Weekend Minutes are lost once account expires. See store for details. © 2002 Verizon Wireless.
GRADUATES:
Who’s
framing your
diploma?
Framed the day you
graduate!
Choose an option:
/, Online at graduation.tamu.edu
(click on diplomas & framing)
2. Visit University Plus in the
basement of the MSC (near
Hullabaloo food court)
3. By phone, call (979) 845-1631
^Friday evening grads - diploma ready Saturday