The use of genetically engineered bacteria to control frost on strawberries and potatoes. Whatever happened to all of that research?

The identification of biological ice nucleating agents and their importance in frost induction and prevention is discussed. The discussion also includes information about the researchers who did the work, their original investigations, and struggles with government agencies to introduce their products. The original research was initiated independently by a group of atmospheric scientists in Wyoming and a group of plant pathologists in Wisconsin. They both discovered that ice does not form randomly but is initiated on a nucleating site which is associated with particular bacterial species, especially Pseudomonas syringae. From this original discovery has come commercial products that are used to prevent frost (Frostban(TM) [the generic name for bacteria that lack the genes coding for the ability to form ice crystals on the leaves of crop plants (Oei, H.L., 1999. Genes and Politics: The Recombinant DNA Debate. Chatelaine Press, Burke, VA)I and Blightban(R)), manufacture snow (Snomax(R)), reduce the incidence of fire blight (Blightban(R)), and as an aid for food concentration and texturing. The moral and ethical questions encountered by the scientists performing the original research helped to establish the rules by which biotechnology research is carried out today. (C): 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.