The petitions were presented to Espy at the Land O'Lakes annual meeting last week by members of the Dump the National Dairy Board Campaign. The dairy board was formed to administer money deducted from farmers' milk sales. The Campaign is upset with the board's support of growth hormones and their efforts to convince consumers that milk from hormone-treated cows is safe. Espy said he will initiate the referendum after he reviews the petitions and determines the validity of the signatures. Creation of the vaccine involves the insertion of genetic materials into plants such as tomatoes, which would cause the plant to produce substances that fight certain diseases when consumed by humans.
Researchers say they have successfully developed a hepatitis vaccine in tobacco plants.
Company officials say they will continue to perfect the technology and hope it will eventually be available on a worldwide basis. The rice could be used to improve diets in developing countries where rice is the main source of protein, the scientist said. USDA researchers are also working on discovering the genes that make plants shed their leaves or flowers. Scientist Mark Tucker is attempting to isolate the cellulase gene's promoter or switch which causes the plant to make the cellulase enzyme that leads to the premature shedding of flowers and fruits. Tucker said the discovery could lead them to determine exactly when is the right time to harvest thereby increasing crop yields.