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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
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Quest on for Chocolate Genome

Mars aims to unlock genetic code to develop hardier cacao trees

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(Newser) – Candy giant Mars is investing $10 million in a 5-year research project to unlock the secrets of chocolate's genetic code—the cocoa genome—as the first stage in developing cacao trees that can produce more, survive droughts, and combat disease. Mars intends to make the results public to stop key genes from being privately patented, reports the Washington Post. The cocoa harvest has become volatile and unreliable in recent years.

"We have the ability as a private company to take charge of the future," said a Mars executive. "We'll have the full toolbox to use as opposed to the pocketful of tools we have now."

Mars is developing a project to map the cocoa genome to produce a stronger crop for chocolate lovers.
Mars is developing a project to map the cocoa genome to produce a stronger crop for chocolate lovers.   (AP Photo/Martin Meissner, file)
Families harvest cocoa beans in Ecuador. Children often suck on fresh beans during the harvest.
Families harvest cocoa beans in Ecuador. Children often suck on fresh beans during the harvest.   (Magnum Photos)
Heart-shaped chocolate are sold for Valentine's Day in Rome.
Heart-shaped chocolate are sold for Valentine's Day in Rome.   (Getty Images)
Mars is funding a project to sequence the chocolate genome.
Mars is funding a project to sequence the chocolate genome.   (KRT Photos)
Cocoa beans in a cacao pod. Mars is developing a project to map the cocoa genome to produce a stronger crop for chocolate lovers.
Cocoa beans in a cacao pod. Mars is developing a project to map the cocoa genome to produce a stronger crop for chocolate lovers.
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Genetic quest for better chocolate
New York Times

Sequencing the cocoa genome
CNNMoney

Project to reveal chocolate DNA code
BBC


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drought • Mars • West Africa • Brazil • IBM • genome • chocolate • Department of Agriculture • cacao • cocoa • Public Intellectual Property Resource for Agriculture

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