Iran has unveiled the first sample of genetically modified cotton, which has been produced through indigenous technology by Iranian specialists.
The unveiling took place during the First International and 9th National Biotechnology Congress of Iran, the Tehran-based PressTV reported.
According to Persian media, Dr. Mostafa Ghane’i, who heads the First International Biotechnology Congress of Iran, said the technology for the production of genetically modified cotton has been developed by an Iranian biotechnology research institute in Alborz Province, west of Tehran.
“This technology has been developed in about five years by Iranian researchers and suits the country’s conditions,” he added.
The official noted that the genetically modified cotton is considered as a solution to existing problems with the quality of cotton produce in South Khorasan Province.
He added that by taking advantage of the new technology, the cotton crop harvested across provincial farms has been increased 5-7 times.
Explaining on the legal aspects of the issue, Ghane’i said taking advantage of any new technology in farms would need permission from the Iranian parliament’s biosafety committee.
