OTHER NEWS - Feb. 17, 1994

Calgene to Sell Genetically Engineered Cotton: The Davis, Calif.-based agricultural biotechnology company said it has received approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to sell without restriction its genetically engineered cottonseed. Calgene said its gene-altered cotton, known as BXN, is resistant to the effects of the herbicide bromoxynil, used by farmers to control morning glory and other broadleaf weeds. Such weeds reduce the country’s $4-billion cotton crop by 15% annually, Calgene said. It said use of BXN should reduce the use of herbicides because chemicals could be used in lower doses. But the Union of Concerned Scientists issued a statement criticizing approval of Calgene’s BXN, saying that switching to herbicide-tolerant crops will “deepen U.S. farmers’ dependence on toxic chemicals.”