Brazil, China to cooperate for genetically modified cassavas

State-owned Brazilian Agricultural Research Corp. (Embrapa) has announced that the governments of Brazil and China have signed an agreement to cooperate in the research and development of genetically modified cassava plants. The agreement aims to develop cassava tubers that contain more glucose and less starch, which can be used in the production of ethanol, Embrapa said in a statement. Embrapa, which is considered one of the world’s leading institutions in the development of genetically modified species, has a cassava germplasm bank, which has over 500 varieties of cassava. Embrapa noted it expects Chinese scientists to help it obtain the cassava’s genetic sequence. The two sides started negotiations on the agreement in October when Embrapa President Silvio Cretana visited Beijing. (March 30, 2009)