The genetically modified papaya, already sold in the United States, is the result of research made by scientists of the US Department of Agriculture and Agricultural Research Service in Hilo, Hawaii.
The genetically modified variety is resistant to the papaya virus (PRSV), the most devastating disease for the crop. Dennis Gonsalves, research center director and project leader, is working with scientists and growers from Bangladesh, Africa, Jamaica, Venezuela, and Brazil to develop disease-resistance varieties that will grow in their regions.
Papaya, which is the second largest fruit crop in Hawaii, is grown commercially for the US and Japan. The Hawaiian papaya industry is exporting 25% to 30% of its product to Japan.
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