India, the largest natural-rubber user after China, plans to begin field trials of a genetically-modified variety as it seeks to overcome a shortage forecast by the industry to surge fivefold over the next decade. [...James Jacob, director of the Rubber Research Institute of India:] ”Domestic requirement of rubber will increase as our GDP increases, and indications are that there will not be enough.” Gene-altered rubber trees will be resistant to drought and tapping panel dryness, and have the ability to produce higher yields even under adverse weather conditions.