by Suzanne Goldenberg, Washington
smh.com.au

US FARMERS are growing the first corn genetically modified specifically to put more ethanol in petrol tanks rather than producing more food.

Aid organisations warn that the corn could worsen a global food crisis – exposed by the Somalia famine – diverting more corn into energy production.

The food industry also opposes the corn because, although not inedible, it is unsuitable for food products that commonly use corn.

Farmers growing corn for human consumption are also concerned about cross-contamination.

The corn, developed by a branch of Swiss pesticide firm Syngenta, contains an added gene for an enzyme (amylase) that speeds the breakdown of starches into ethanol. Ethanol producers normally have to add the enzyme.

Read the full article here: http://www.smh.com.au/world/fears-grow-over-gm-corn-fuel-20110816-1iw98.html