Monday, March 23, 2015
FDA says Genetically Modified Apples and Potatoes are Safe to Consume
Okanagan Specialty Fruits developed the Article apple, and J.R. Simplot Company developed the Innate Potato. Both crops were designed to defy browning when sliced or bruised, and the potato was reduced of its potential cancer-causing chemical when fried. Although the F.D.A. approves of the genetically engineered apples and potatoes to be safe and nutritious in comparison to the non-engineered plant, there are still many consumers and environmental groups that oppose. These groups have warned restaurants and food companies against using engineered crops while other groups think that accepting engineered foods will taint the image of the organically made crops. Mostly all biotech crops go through the F.D.A.’s safety food review even though it is optional. The opposing biotech parties argue that the F.D.A. reviews are not adequate, but the F.D.A. assures that their evaluations are in-depth. The F.D.A. even advises that the biotech companies disclose information to their consumers by labeling. In the meantime, the discussion of what should appear on the labels, and when the labels would be used is in process. Currently, it is suggested that the label should include an appealing description of the trait without the inclusion of the crop being “genetically engineered”. The primary developers believe that when they sell the seed of the biotech potatoes and apples to growers, they are then not responsible for ensuring how the crops or products using the crops would be labeled.
I believe that both the favoring and opposing groups have some valid points. Currently, there are many GMO and GMO containing products in the market. For example high fructose corn syrup and soy beans are typical GMO's where the majority of its crop type is genetically modified. I think that biotech foods are not bad for humans just because they were not naturally formed by nature. The only question I have is that if a fruit does not brown, how does a person know if its still good to eat? Other than that, I believe that non-browning crops have the potential to be a positive thing for society.
Original link: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/21/business/gene-altered-apples-and-potatoes-are-safe-fda-says.html?ref=science
Additional link: http://www.dailyfinance.com/2013/11/21/foods-give-up-avoid-eating-gmo/#!fullscreen&slide=1585612
Additional link 2: http://www.nongmoproject.org/learn-more/what-is-gmo/
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