The HUMMER HX Concept makes its world introduction at the 2008 North American International Auto Sunday, January 13, 2008 in Detroit, Michigan. The HUMMER HX Concept is an open-air, two-door off-road vehicle that runs on E85 ethanol fuel. (UPI Photo/Steve Fecht/General Motors)

CHICAGO, May 1 (UPI) -- Concern over ethanol's contribution to increasing food prices, among other things, has shifted biofuels research away from corn and into new alternatives, both in the United States and abroad.

Countries are looking toward cellulosic sources, or non-food crops, to replace current fuel feedstocks, such as corn and soybeans. Different areas of the world are researching different types of feedstocks and processes for converting them to fuel, depending on what's available in their region.

The urgency to expedite advances in cellulosic biofuels came to the forefront Tuesday after an international group of food scientists said halting the production of traditional ethanol could lead to a 20 percent decrease in global corn prices. The three senior scientists of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research, an international group that fights hunger, all pushed for a cessation of corn-ethanol production.

However, President Bush, in a speech Wednesday, said he believes ethanol is responsible for 15 percent of the food-price increase, and encouraged further growth of the industry. Despite this support, he also said the long-term solution lies in cellulosic sources, pointing to the large sum the U.S. government currently invests in their development.

In the last year, Department of Energy officials, for instance, have announced plans to invest $1 billion in biofuels research and development, $114 million in small-scale cellulosic biorefineries and $385 million in commercial-scale biorefineries.