Superspuds . . .

THE NEW SCIENTIST has a report by Debora MacKenzie, "Transgenic Indian superspuds pack more protein". It's not Monsanto, so restrain the knee-jerk, and check it out.

A genetically modified (GM) potato has been created that makes up to 60 per cent more protein per gram than ordinary potatoes. But even with that help spuds don't contain much protein, so that's not the most interesting part: in a surprise result, the GM crop also yielded more potato per hectare. This is the first time that a simple genetic modification has increased yield.