Brasília, 5/5/2004 (Agência Brasil) - As it is expected that with a boost from genetically-modified (GM) beans total Brazilian bean production could rise 20% to 30% over the next four years, the Brazilian Farm Research Corporation (Embrapa) has decided to to run an impact study.

Embrapa is developing a GM bean which is resistant to the most common enemy of regular beans (known as the "mosaico dourado" - golden mosaic). Experiments on environmental impact and food safety have begun at the Embrapa station in Santo Antonio de Goias, state of Goias, which should be completed in six months.

The golden mosaic plague is highly damaging to bean crops. According to Embrapa researcher, Francisco Aragão, without proper care the plague can cause total crop loss.

Aragão says the GM bean is expected pass all tests with flying colors. "The modification we made was to introduce a gene that already exists in nature. We place it in regular bean DNA. There should be no problems with either the enviroment or food safety," he declared.

Another Embrapa researcher, Norma Gouvêa Rumjanek, says the study will show if the GM bean is harmful to insects and soil microorganisms. "We have to be certain about non-target organisms. We have to get as much information as possible about the GM bean," she said.

At the moment, Brazil has the world's only two GM bean experimental stations in operation. Besides the one in Goiás, another is in Brasilia. In Goiás, an area of 50 square meters has been planted with GM beans, surrounded by a conventional corn crop acting as a barrier.

According to Aragão, the Environmental Protection Agency (Ibama) requires such studies, which must be completed successfully if GM beans are to ever reach the market. Meanwhile, Embrapa researchers have begun work on GM papaya, soybeans and potatoes.

Translator: Allen Bennett