Genetic modification seen key for future biofuels

LONDON (Reuters) - Genetic modification has a major role to play in developing second generation biofuels, scientist Simon McQueen-Mason said on Monday.

"Definitely that technology has a big contribution to make to the area I would say," McQueen-Mason of the U.K.-based Centre for Novel Agricultural Products told a conference organized by EastEuro Link.

Second generation biofuels involve the breaking down of non-edible crops such as fast growing grasses or trees by enzymes to eventually create liquid motor fuel.

They are not yet commercially viable but there is heavy investment in research into the area which may see as the long-term solution to concerns that biofuels made from food crops could drive up food prices and lead to shortages.

McQueen-Mason said it was proving to be challenging.

"If it was easy to digest trees they would be falling down all over the place because microbes would be eating them," he said.

There has been significant opposition to genetically modified crops among consumers, particularly in Europe.

McQueen-Mason said public opposition would be hard to overcome but hoped the benefits would persuade consumers.

"It's a little bit like what is happening with the first generation biofuels, once the public get a fixation that there is something wrong then that it is going to be a big problem to buck the trend," he said.