ROCKWELL CITY, Iowa — There is nothing typical about the "No Trespassing" signs, the electric fence or the potatoes you'll find at Bill and Joe Horan's farm near Rockwell City, Iowa.
"We're the only ones in the world that are doing this," said Bill. That unique position is why a small patch of land on their farm is on lockdown.
The potatoes the Horans are growing aren't your typical taters. "These potatoes have RNA from humans in them," said Bill, pointing to the fenced-in potato patch behind him.
It's called Transgenics. The Horans are growing potatoes that contain RNA. "From humans," Bill said again, smiling.
Humans make RNA naturally, but the potatoes can just make more of it. "We use the potato plant as the factory, and you can concentrate it and use it for protection against infections," said Bill.
The brothers are working with a German company, it's all part of a clinical trial. Potatoes like the Horans are growing could eventually end up being used in medicines and ointments. "Make-up, sunscreen, lip gloss, and it gives protection against infections," said Bill Horan.
And it took a lot of work just to get these specialized potatoes in the ground. The Horans had to buy an Italian potato planter; they even have to sort and cut before they planted them. "We get pretty close to the potatoes," said Bill, smiling.
There are also some pretty strict restrictions to put up with if you want to grow transgenic potatoes. The brothers had to obtain federal government certification to grow them, and the Horans and their operation manager Dave are the only ones that can go inside the electric fence surrounding the potato patch.
You've even got to watch what the neighbors grow, too. "We cannot have any other potatoes within a mile of this plot," said Bill.
And after the potatoes are harvested, nothing can be grown on that patch of land for at least a few years.
Source: Siouxland News