Puramaize Questions and Answers

How does PuraMaize™ work?
The PuraMaize™ system blocks pollination by not accepting any corn pollen but its own.

Is this system a genetically modified organism (GMO) itself?
No.  The PuraMaize™ system is a completely natural system achieved through conventional breeding techniques. PuraMaize™ uses a naturally occurring corn characteristic – found in a few exotic corn varieties -- that confers non-reciprocal pollen cross-sterility.  

How is this system incorporated into corn hybrids?
PuraMaize™ is incorporated into corn hybrids through traditional breeding techniques. 

Does it absolutely eliminate adventitious presence of GMOs?
No, not absolutely. The PuraMaize™ system reduces contamination to a range well below the tolerances set by the European Union and Japan, but not to a level of 0 percent.  Also, identity preservation practices will be very important.  While this system provides field level control, it obviously does not control GMO presence in harvesting machinery, storage facilities or shipping containers.  

How does PuraMaize™ corn differ from other non-GMO corn?
PuraMaize™ corn is the same as other non-GMO corn, but has been bred via traditional breeding techniques to exclude pollen from corn that does not contain the PuraMaize™ system. 

What is the advantage of the PuraMaize™ system over traditionally raised non-GMO corn?
This system has two advantages.  First, PuraMaize™ does not require field isolation to virtually eliminate GMO contamination. And second, it does not require expensive testing to establish its purity. 

Is yield drag a problem?
Yield was not affected by the PuraMaize™ system in our research.

How have you proven the efficacy of the PuraMaize™ system? 
The PuraMaize™ system has been checked against pollination from both commercially available GMO hybrids and purple-corn varieties, which are colored in a manner similar to Native American corn varieties, and provide an easy marker showing whether purity has been maintained.  PuraMaize™ has effectively blocked the pollen in these tests, even after hand pollination, which exposed PuraMaize™ hybrids to pollen levels much higher than would be present in normal field conditions. 

Does your development of PuraMaize™ mean that you are against GMOs?
No.  We understand the value that GMOs have to many people involved in agriculture and other fields.  However, we do believe that it is necessary to enable GMO and non-GMO agriculture to coexist.  This system can be a major component in accomplishing this. 

PuraMaize™ is a trademark of Cerrado Natural Systems Group, Inc.