Mine-Sensitive Weeds

Imagine a weed that turns red when it grows near land mines, saving thousands of noncombatants from lifelong physical handicaps and disfigurement. Actually, it’s not a figment of the imagination.

Scientists have genetically modified Thales cress to be sensitive to nitrogen dioxide, a natural byproduct of mines. The genetically modified weed turns from green to red when exposed to the gas.

Aresa Biodetection, a Danish biotechnology company, hopes to start selling it within a few years after completing field tests.

Currently, mines can be detected only by human or canine probing.

Posted by Jim Langcuster at February 26, 2004 08:23 AM | TrackBack