Genetic engineers at Australia's Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, have developed a new variety of cotton which is capable of destroying its insect pests. A gene from a soil bacterium, Bacillus thurengensis - which is a naturally occuring insecticide -is incorporated into the cotton varieties. The gene encodes a protein which kills cotton bollworms and native budworms, the bane of cotton growers in Australia. Presently pesticides worth millions 0( US dollars are being sprayed on cotton plants to keep these pests in check.
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