Whats the quick story behind biotech papayas?
Although the papaya story is not well known, it’s a good example of how plant biotechnology is making a difference in people’s lives today. The story goes like this: By 1997, a deadly ringspot virus had decimated Hawaii’s fifth largest crop. Production had fallen by nearly 40 percent, farmers were going out of business and Hawaii’s $17 million papaya industry (at the farmgate, $35 million wholesale value1) was in danger of collapsing.2 But within just four years of the introduction of the genetically improved fruit, papaya production had rebounded to levels near where they were before the deadly papaya ringspot virus (PRSV) invasion.3 So much so, in fact, that Hawaii Gov. Ben Cayetano credits plant biotechnology with rescuing Hawaii’s papaya industry. It’s a very positive story for Hawaii papaya growers and their communities – not to mention the millions of people who enjoy eating this healthful, succulent fruit.
