boreality
New member
- Location
- boreal forest
I prefer to let nature be natural. What do you think about gm disease resistance etc?
From the Epoch Times
A British Columbia biotech company is seeking approval for a genetically modified apple that doesn’t turn brown once sliced.
Summerland-based Okanagan Specialty Fruits (OSF) has asked the U.S. Department of Agriculture to approve the apple, called Arctic, which the company claims keeps its colour when cut and doesn’t bruise easily.
The company, which used technology that can “switch off” the browning reaction, says the genetically modified (GM) apple would be of benefit to producers and retailers and encourage consumers to eat more apples, according to its website.
The technology would also help fresh-cut apple processors reduce production costs associated with treatment solutions used to prevent fruit browning. The technology was developed by Australian scientists and purchased by OSF.
Company president Neal Carter has said that they are approaching the USDA first because Canada requires more in-depth data.
In a 2008 document, OSF said the technique used to develop the non-browning apple “represents a new generation of plant-breeding technology. We have developed a novel approach that allows us to very precisely silence an existing apple gene without introducing new genes into the plant.”
This approach is known as cisgenics, as opposed to transgenics, which introduces foreign genes into the plant.
“The fruit has been vigorously tested and no non-target response has been identified,” the document said. “The apples grow and eat like their parents; they just do not go brown.”
However, resistance among consumers to GM foods remains high.
“Genetically modified—that’s a bad word in our industry,” Todd Fryhover, president of the apple commission in Washington State, told the Associated Press.
“There’s something about an apple. It’s the symbol of health and nutrition, and then to turn around and say it’s been genetically modified—doesn’t that go against what consumers say they’re looking for?”
Anti-GMO activists say there’s little difference between transgenic and cisgenic technology, and concerns about the former—such as cross-pollination—also apply to the latter.
Lucy Sharratt, coordinator of the Canadian Biotechnology Action Network, predicts that even if it is approved, the non-browning apple won’t go down well with consumers.
“This is another totally unnecessary and risky GM technology that will only be greeted by consumer backlash,” she told Digital Journal.
“It’s totally backwards to genetically engineer one of nature’s most perfect foods. If fast food companies like McDonalds start using a GM apple, they will turn their ‘healthy’ food options into a GM nightmare.”
Although the USDA has considered about 100 petitions for genetically engineered or genetically modified crops, this is the first time it has been petitioned for a GM apple, says AP. It could take years for the USDA to reach a decision.
From the Epoch Times
A British Columbia biotech company is seeking approval for a genetically modified apple that doesn’t turn brown once sliced.
Summerland-based Okanagan Specialty Fruits (OSF) has asked the U.S. Department of Agriculture to approve the apple, called Arctic, which the company claims keeps its colour when cut and doesn’t bruise easily.
The company, which used technology that can “switch off” the browning reaction, says the genetically modified (GM) apple would be of benefit to producers and retailers and encourage consumers to eat more apples, according to its website.
The technology would also help fresh-cut apple processors reduce production costs associated with treatment solutions used to prevent fruit browning. The technology was developed by Australian scientists and purchased by OSF.
Company president Neal Carter has said that they are approaching the USDA first because Canada requires more in-depth data.
In a 2008 document, OSF said the technique used to develop the non-browning apple “represents a new generation of plant-breeding technology. We have developed a novel approach that allows us to very precisely silence an existing apple gene without introducing new genes into the plant.”
This approach is known as cisgenics, as opposed to transgenics, which introduces foreign genes into the plant.
“The fruit has been vigorously tested and no non-target response has been identified,” the document said. “The apples grow and eat like their parents; they just do not go brown.”
However, resistance among consumers to GM foods remains high.
“Genetically modified—that’s a bad word in our industry,” Todd Fryhover, president of the apple commission in Washington State, told the Associated Press.
“There’s something about an apple. It’s the symbol of health and nutrition, and then to turn around and say it’s been genetically modified—doesn’t that go against what consumers say they’re looking for?”
Anti-GMO activists say there’s little difference between transgenic and cisgenic technology, and concerns about the former—such as cross-pollination—also apply to the latter.
Lucy Sharratt, coordinator of the Canadian Biotechnology Action Network, predicts that even if it is approved, the non-browning apple won’t go down well with consumers.
“This is another totally unnecessary and risky GM technology that will only be greeted by consumer backlash,” she told Digital Journal.
“It’s totally backwards to genetically engineer one of nature’s most perfect foods. If fast food companies like McDonalds start using a GM apple, they will turn their ‘healthy’ food options into a GM nightmare.”
Although the USDA has considered about 100 petitions for genetically engineered or genetically modified crops, this is the first time it has been petitioned for a GM apple, says AP. It could take years for the USDA to reach a decision.
