Technically Speaking

Danish scientists have created a way to genetically alter the Thale Cress so that when the plants roots come in contact with NO2, the plant will change color. Green cress becomes red cress. Of course, this is not a foolproof solution but it is another solution. The plant can be sprayed onto an area via an off-the-shelf pump or a crop-spraying plane.

At least 26,000 people are killed or injured by mines every year.

Aresa’s aim is to plant its GM plant - an altered thale cress - in landmined areas. Scientists say that within three to six weeks it will change colour in areas where roots come in contact with nitrogen dioxide (NO2) evaporating from explosives in the soil.

We have to convince people who are actually clearing mines that this system is reliable

Aresa Chief Executive Simon Oestergaard said the project was still in its early days but it had great potential for land that could be used for different agricultural activities.

“We don’t think our invention will completely replace other methods,” he said.

Landmines are traditionally located by a number of methods including the use of sniffer dogs, heavy machines or metal detectors. The mines can then be carefully removed.

In order for this plant to do its job, its roots has to be exposed to nitrogen dioxide (NO2). There are mines that are specifically sealed that do not seep nitrogen dioxide. This would be one instance in which the plants wouldn’t work. I think that the technique would be a great first step in the process of mine clearing.

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, January 28th, 2004 at 2:03 pm and is filed under Medicine/Genetics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.