Iran has unveiled the first sample of genetically modified cotton, which has been produced through indigenous technology by Iranian specialists.

The unveiling took place during the First International and 9th National Biotechnology Congress of Iran, which was attended by Minister of Agriculture Mahmoud Hojjati.

According to Persian media, Dr. Mostafa Ghane�i, who heads the First International Biotechnology Congress of Iran, said the technology for the production of genetically modified cotton has been developed by an Iranian biotechnology research institute in Alborz Province, west of the capital city, Tehran.

�This technology has been developed in about five years by Iranian researchers and suits the country�s conditions,� he added.

The official noted that the genetically modified cotton is considered�as a solution to existing problems with the quality of cotton produce in South Khorasan Province.

He added that by taking advantage of the new technology, the cotton crop harvested across provincial farms has been increased 5-7 times.

Explaining on the legal aspects of the issue, Ghane�i said taking advantage of any new technology in farms would need permission from the Iranian parliament�s Biosafety Committee.

He noted that the committee is comprised of representatives from Ministry of Health, Ministry of Agriculture Jihad, and the Department of Environment.

During the past two decades, Iran has broken new grounds in the field of biotechnology as a result of which the country is currently an exporter of biotech medications.

The First International and 9th National Biotechnology Congress of Iran opened in Tehran on May 24 and will continue until May 26. The event is hosted by the Biotechnology Society of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

More than 20 foreign specialists from Japan, the Philippines, India, Pakistan, Kuwait and Mongolia are taking part in the congress.

By Press TV