A vegan protein made from GMO cotton, which can satisfy the daily needs of 600 million people, can be on the horizon and, apparently, it will taste like hummus.

The US Department of Agriculture has given the green light to commercializing a cotton plant with edible seeds made using biotechnology.

The culture was created by scientists from Texas A&M University, who have been working on its development for 23 years. The new product is still awaiting approval by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), but as soon as the administration gives the plant permission, farmers will be able to grow cotton on vegetable proteins and fiber.

Cotton seeds, a type of hazelnut, are a rich source of protein.

Cotton Inc., which funded the project, has already begun experimenting with the potential of cotton seeds as a food source in various forms, producing vegetable cotton milk, as well as crackers, cookies, peanut butter and chopped nuts. The company believes that seeds can be used to make vegan protein powder, which can be mixed into bars and flour.