China approves new GMO cotton

China, the world's top grower of genetically modified (GMO) cotton, has approved commercializing a new hybrid variety, which is expected to help the country close its cotton production shortfall, Reuters reported, citing a government scientist. The hybrid variety of insect-resistant Bt cotton — which contains a bacteria that kills bollworms — would yield 26.4% more cotton than the current strains, according to Zhang Rui, a researcher under the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences. In the 12 months to August 2006, China, the world's top cotton consumer is expected, due to smaller acreages and larger textile exports, to import as much as 3.2 million tons of cotton, the largest amount ever imported by a single country .