Monsanto and Germany-based BASF have discovered a naturally-occurring gene that can help corn plants combat drought and confer yield stability during periods of inadequate water supplies. The scientists of both companies announced the discovery in Germany on Tuesday. The companies stated they would use the gene in their first-generation, drought-tolerant, corn product. This is designed to provide yield stability to their farmer customers. The product will be the first biotechnology-derived, drought-tolerant crop in the world. The announcement comes at a time when recent studies, including one by the US National Academy of Sciences, are warning of declining crop yields and global food shortages as a result of climate change. According to a United Nations