Iranian Researcher Produces Kit to Detect Genetically Modified Seeds

“The GMO detecting kit has been produced to detect the rate of transgenicity and genetic modification in seeds and imported seedlings," Abbas Doosti, the professor of molecular genetics at the Islamic Azad University (IAU)-Shahrekord,  in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province, said. 

He added that a genetically modified organism (GMO) is an animal, a plant, or a microbe whose DNA has been altered using genetic engineering techniques.

According to the researcher, the kit to detect the products which have been modified transgenically and genetically is of great help to increase safety of food stuff.

Also, the imported transgenic seeds can be evaluated for the degree of transgenicity and the amount of genetic modification before planting in the country's farms.

Moreover, in areas where the indigenous plants are ecologically important, possible destructive consequences such as soil erosion can be prevented by accurate and quick detection of genetically modified seeds and seedlings.

“Almost all food stuff-producing factories are required to have quality control laboratories, and many of these industries use imported animal-based products or crops as raw materials for the production and processing of their products. They are required by law to observe the level of transgenicity in their products and crops,” he noted

“There is no a quick and accurate detecting kit available to all laboratories in the country. Moreover, this kit would meet the need of laboratories related to feed for livestock and poultry,” he concluded.

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