WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) _ DuPont says its scientists are using

lasers to improve genetic analysis on corn and soybean seeds.

Company spokesman Patrick Arthur says a laser at Pioneer Hi-Bred

facilities slices a section of a seed so its yield and resistance

to chemicals can be measured. The company says the technique is

superior to plant tissue testing because the seed can still be

planted.

Arthur says the process has two benefits: higher-yielding corn

and soybean plants and getting products to markets sooner.

Pioneer is the world's second largest seed company and wants to

increase corn and soybean yields by 40 percent.

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Information from: The (Wilmington, Del.) News Journal,

http://www.delawareonline.com