Australian-developed genetically modified cavendish banana submitted for regulatory approval
A Queensland University of Technology-developed, genetically modified (GM) variety of Cavendish banana, that is highly resistant to Panama Disease TR4, has been submitted for regulatory approval to the Australian government.
The QCAV-4 banana will be the first Australian GM fruit to be submitted for assessment and if approved could provide a significant boost in the fight against the disease.
QCAV-4 bananas – developed in partnership with government and industry – have been grown in field trials in the Northern Territory for over six years and have proven to be highly resistant to Panama Disease TR4.
QCAV-4 is a Cavendish Grand Nain banana that has been bioengineered with a single gene, RGA2, from the wild, south-east Asian banana, Musa acuminata ssp malaccensis. Cavendish bananas already contain the RGA2 gene, but it is dormant.
Queensland University of Technology distinguished professor James Dale and his team have been working on developing and growing genetically modified Cavendish bananas for more than 20 years.
“The devastating Panama Disease TR4 is caused by a soil-borne fungus that stays in the ground for more than 50 years, wiping out banana crops and destroying farms for generations,” Dale said.
“It is a huge problem. It has devastated Cavendish plantations in many parts of the world and could cripple the Cavendish banana export industry worldwide.”
“Apart from providing a genuine protection against Panama Disease TR4 for the world’s export industry, QCAV-4 is a safety net for Australia’s A$1.3bn industry, which includes protected employment for 18,000 Queenslanders involved in banana production.”
Australia’s biosecurity rules have so far limited the impact of Panama Disease TR4 on the majority of the Australian industry, however, it has been found in parts of North Queensland and has decimated the Northern Territory commercial banana industry.
While regulatory approval by the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator and Food Standards Australia New Zealand would support the environmental and food safety of QCAV-4, there are no plans to grow or sell QCAV-4 bananas to consumers in Australia at this time.
