Commercial release of cotton genetically modified for insect resistance and herbicide tolerance (Bollgard® 3 ThryvOn™ cotton with XtendFlex® Technology)

Source: Office of the Gene Technology Regulator

Australia’s Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR) has issued license DIR 216 to Bayer CropScience Pty. Ltd., authorizing the commercial release of cotton genetically modified (GM) for insect resistance and herbicide tolerance. 

The GM cotton contains 4 introduced genes from a common soil bacteria that confer insect resistance to common pests of cotton. Three of these genes provide protection against bollworms and one provides protection against certain bugs, aphids and thrips.  The GM cotton also contains 3 introduced genes for tolerance to herbicides glyphosate, glufosinate, and dicamba. The genes enable the GM cotton plants to grow in the presence of these herbicides, which can be used to control weeds in the GM cotton crop.