US says Bioceres genetically modified wheat can be grown safely

Chicago | Reuters—A type of genetically modified wheat developed by Argentina’s Bioceres Crop Solutions may be safely grown and bred in the United States, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said on Tuesday.

Additional steps, including field trials, are still needed prior to U.S. commercialization of HB4 wheat that is modified to tolerate drought, industry group U.S. Wheat Associates said. It will take years for Bioceres to complete the additional steps, the association said.

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Genetic modification involves altering a plant’s makeup by transferring DNA from one organism to another and is common in crops such as corn, used for livestock feed. Some consumer groups oppose genetic modification of wheat over concerns about human health since it is widely used to make bread and pasta, and therefore consumed directly by humans.

“Wherever wheat is grown in the world, drought takes its toll on yields and quality, so an innovation like HB4 holds a lot of interest for growers like me,” said Michael Peters, an Oklahoma wheat grower and past chairman of U.S. Wheat Associates.

—Reporting for Reuters by Tom Polansek and Julie Ingwersen in Chicago and Maximilian Heath in Buenos Aires.