Radical changes will happen tomorrow in biotechnology and agriculture. The implications will evoke wonder for years. Biotech is moving fast.
Rapeseed, which changed its name to canola and learned how to fly, is now a profitable crop planted on hundreds of thousands of hectares. That happened in three years. How?
Years ago scientists found an anti-freeze gene in the Atlantic flounder, a fish that has been swimming in below freezing (salt) waters of the North Atlantic for millennia. These smart fish learned how to handle cold. The scientists moved that cold-resistant gene to canola. Overnight farmers got a taste of what's happening in Silicon Valley. They like it.
It won't stop here. Despite objections from new Luddites that this threatens the world, eventually, as happened with antiseptics, chlorine, fluoride, ozone, anti-biotic and vaccinations, it will become accepted. If not here then in more progressive countries which will then sell the new products these discoveries produce back to us at a large profit. We will be getting in line to buy such things until other more open countries have their needs fulfilled. It has always been thus.
Canadian researchers in Ontario and Quebec have also found anti-freeze proteins in plants like winter rye which for decades has been planted in North America in the fall for further growth in the spring. Such genes are creeping into grasses and other crops.
The secret of the successful transfers of such genes lies in understanding how plants (or fish) handle ice formation in body tissues and how they resist dehydration during cold winter interludes. After a decade of testing the answer has been found. Keep the ice crystals small so they do not puncture body cells. Like humans put on clothing to keep warm, plants can learn how to produce "clothing" within.
We should be so lucky. Maybe one day ....
If Plants can prepare for the winter, so should we! Before that though you will see proteins that keep grass green producing apples and cherries in Nunavut, if a company working on doing the same in vats with oranges and cherries doesn't get there first. One California company has already produced true (not artificial) vanilla in vats. They are now on the orange/cherry kick.
Think that's far out? Welcome to The Pacific Northwest Palm and Exotic Plant Society (PNWPEPS), a non-profit chapter of the International Palm Society. These amateur agrologists are dedicated to the successful cultivation of palms and other exotic plants outdoors in British Columbia, Washington and Oregon.
Even without yet trying to accelerate these plants, ability to withstand the non-tropical Pacific Northwest and the Canadian "Lotusland", within the Vancouver, B.C. higher thermal bubble, PNWPEPS has made great progress. There are already 5,000 palm trees in Greater Vancouver.
Michael Ferguson a young, palm tree enthusiast, my "Palm Pilot", is having a love affair with palms. Yes, palms as in Hawaii, the Caribbean and Mediterranean.
For some unknown reasons, a number of people living at this warmer level have contracted the same emotion. They simply have to be continuously within sight of palm trees. There are now about 300 members of PNWPEPS including 15 in Oregon and 50 in Washington State plus a few overseas.
These "palmists" have successfully planted, nurtured and grown year-round up to 10 species of hardy palms, some 10 metres (33 feet) in height!
Imagine what might happen with genetic transfers! Move over Palm Springs Vancouver's palms will be greener. Why? They prefer more moisture in the air. During construction of the new Island Highway on Vancouver Island, petrified remains of palm trees and fronds were found! Palms are native to British Columbia!
Give yourself this test: go to my website: drtomorrow.com
then click on "PalmCam" on our front page, left-hand column. Those are my palms. Appears I also contracted the urge.
If you think you might like this glorious affliction, get in touch with those listed below. Relief is only "a palm for calm" away.
More information: Michael Ferguson, North Vancouver, B.C.
E-mail: michaelferguson@home.com
Rudi Pinkowski, President
Phone:604/ 987-1085
Frank Hunaus, 10310 Hollybank Drive
Richmond, BC V7E 4S5 Canada.
Phone: (604) 271-9524.
Fax: (604) 271-9540
