FLOWER POWER FOR MINE DETECTION

“A Danish biotech com­pany has devel­oped a genet­i­cally mod­i­fied flower that could help detect land mines,” Reuters reports.

The genet­i­cally mod­i­fied weed has been coded to change color when its roots come in con­tact with nitrogen-​​dioxide (NO2) evap­o­rat­ing from explo­sives buried in soil. Within three to six weeks from being sowed over land mine infested areas the small plant, a Thale Cress, will turn a warn­ing red when­ever close to a land mine.

Aresa Biodetection, the Danish firm devel­op­ing the plant, says field tests could begin as early as this year.
(via /​.)

January 28th, 2004 | Uncategorized | Comments Off Both comments and pings are currently closed.