Taro Research and Genetic
Engineering of Hawaiian Taro
Andrew G. Hashimoto, Dean and Director
College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources
The College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR) at
the University of Hawaii at Manoa has a long history of working with taro
growers to improve taro varieties, increase disease resistance, and help solve
their pressing production problems. Since 1902, serious fungal diseases have
threatened the viability of commercial taro production in Hawaii (publication
number 2 from the Agricultural Experiment Station dealt with this issue). Leaf
blight has played a significant role in reducing taro diversity, as the number
of named Hawaiian varieties has declined from over 400 in the early 1900s to
fewer than 60 today. Soft corm rots and pocket rot often cause losses of 50
percent or more. In seeking solutions to these and other challenges faced by
taro growers, the college has been open to assessing the effectiveness of all
technologies and practices, including genetic engineering.
Some groups within the Hawaiian community have expressed concerns
about the genetic engineering of Hawaiian taro varieties. One of our
responsibilities as a land-grant institution is to be engaged with our many
stakeholders, including Hawaiians and taro growers. Within this context, the
university is working with AliÕi Sir William D. Souza of the
Royal Order of Kamehameha I to develop a process that will balance the
universityÕs values relating to free inquiry and respect for indigenous
knowledge, beliefs, and practices. One item of discussion is the creation of a
forum to promote dialog on, for example, the types of Hawaiian taro research
that will raise cultural concerns in the Hawaiian community. The organization
and format of this forum/research review board, composed primarily of Native
Hawaiians, are being discussed; we expect that it will be established sometime
this summer.
We
have encountered perceptions in the community that CTAHRÕs taro research
focuses entirely on genetic engineering and that the college sells or gives
away genetically engineered taro huli. These perceptions are incorrect. For more
than a century, CTAHR has refined sustainable management practices and used
classical breeding techniques to produce improved taro cultivars. This work
continues to yield promising results. The college has also pursued two taro
genetic engineering research projects. The first project sought to develop a
method for introducing disease-resistant genes from rice into Chinese (ÔBun
LongÕ), Hawaiian (ÔMaui LehuaÕ), and Samoan (ÔNiueÕ) taro varieties. The
research was successful only with the Chinese taro variety. The second, current
project seeks to incorporate into the Chinese taro variety other disease-resistance
genes from grapevine and wheat for increased fungal disease resistance. This
second project is still in the laboratory phase. No genetically engineered taro
plants have been released or grown in the field. They are absolutely not being
sold or donated to anyone.
The
CTAHR scientists currently involved in genetic engineering research on taro
have no plans to modify Hawaiian taro varieties. In keeping with our commitment
to engage with our stakeholders and be sensitive to the cultural significance
of taro, CTAHR will not initiate genetic engineering research on Hawaiian taro
varieties until the forum/research review board to discuss the cultural aspects
of this research is convened and all aspects of the research are discussed.
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Andrew G. Hashimoto, Dean and Director Date