(Summary and excerpts from Associated Press wire
report on December 18, 2002)
A Japan-led group of international researchers has
effectively decoded the rice genome, a development that could lead to higher-yielding
varieties aimed at alleviating hunger. According to a Japanese government
official, the finding by the consortium of scientists from 10 countries may
also lead to new strains capable of curing illnesses or allergies. It was
completed with 99.99 percent accuracy, he said.
Rice is a staple for half the world's population, and
the decoding of its genes is expected to help alleviate world hunger by making
it easier for scientists to come up with varieties that are more nutritious and
have higher yields. It also provides a road map for
other crops with more complex genomes, such as corn and wheat, researchers say.
Japan decoded 55 percent of the sequence, followed by
the United States with 18 percent and China with 10 percent, said the agriculture
ministry official. Taiwan, France, India, South Korea, Thailand, the United
Kingdom and Brazil also participated.
Private sector companies also contributed to the efforts.
For access to the complete story, click on:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A7569-2002Dec18.html