Alpha amylase inhibitors (AAI) are found in many plants. They usually do not inhibit plant a-amylase, but inhibit the amylase of other organisms. We therefore believe that they are defense proteins. The gene for AI from the common bean (phaseolus Uuloguis) was introduced in peas to create the first insect resistant seeds using biotechnology (see ). Fireld tests show that this technology completely prevents damage by the pea weevil (Morton et al, 2000). This project is carried out in collaboration with Dr. T.J. Higgins from the CSIRO in Carberra, Australia and with Dr. Fatima Grossi from Cenargen/EMBRAPA in Brasilia, Brasil.