First Genetically Modified "Browning-Resistant" Apple Approved For US Consumption

With only 37% of the public believing that genetically-modified foods are 'safe', The Arctic apple - which resists browning when cut open or sliced - faces an uphill battle for 'success'. But as WSJ reports, the non-browing trait makes it particularly attractive for restaurants, grocery stores, airlines and other companies that offer pre-sliced fruit, and since The Agriculture Department on Friday approved it as the first genetically modified apple for sale in the U.S., the debate over the safety (and labelling) of modified foods reignites. While "getting the consumer to buy in to the product has to be the priority," notes Okanagan, environmentalists warn "there is no place in the U.S. or global market for genetically engineered apples."

24 Hours in the life of a GMO Apple...

The Agriculture Department on Friday approved the first genetically modified apple for sale in the U.S., reigniting debate over the safety of modified foods and whether the products should carry mandatory labels.

The difference between Arctic Granny slices, top, and conventional Granny slices on the bottom is seen here.

Okanagan Specialty Fruits, which makes the Arctic apples, said in a statement that it was excited by the USDA approval and it is:

"working hard to get as many trees in the ground as possible so that you’ll be able to purchase Arctic apples in stores within the next few years."

"The supply-chain can feel confident knowing that Arctic apples are likely the most tested apples in existence," the company said.

"Rigorously reviewed by multiple regulatory bodies, all evaluations reach the same conclusion -- Arctic apples present no unique risks and are just as safe and healthful as any other apple."

“We really know that getting the consumer to buy in to the product and the technology has to be the priority,” he said.

The Arctic apple’s non-browning trait works by shutting off an enzyme that initiates the browning process. Mr. Carter said he hopes the Arctic apple can expand the market for apples in the same way baby carrots generated rapid growth in the carrot industry. The new apple, which resists bruising, could also cut waste for farmers and packers, according to Okanagan.

But as The Wall Street Journal reports,

The Agriculture Department, which announced the approval Friday, said the apple was given the green light because it didn’t pose a risk to other plants or agricultural products. The Food and Drug Administration is responsible for ensuring the apple is safe to eat, but its review is voluntary and its approval isn’t required for the company to move forward.

...

The FDA is still reviewing the apple, an agency spokeswoman said.

While genetically modified crops have been grown in the U.S. since the 1990s, the Arctic apple is one of only a few genetically modified foods that appeal directly to consumers. In November, the Agriculture Department approved a modified potato.

Currently, the most commonly modified crops, such as corn and soybeans, are modified for the benefit of farmers by withstanding herbicides and pesticides.

...

Apple farmers are worried, however, that the Arctic apple will scare off consumers who can’t distinguish between modified and conventionally grown varieties. Several of them urged the Agriculture Department to reject the petition for approval.

“I’m very disappointed in the USDA,” said Jim Baird, owner of a 250-acre apple farm in Washington state. “They’re approving this in light of such overwhelming concern and disapproval over [genetically modified] products.”

Consumer and environmental groups said the apple could present unknown risks to human health.

“There is no place in the U.S. or global market for genetically engineered apples,” said Lisa Archer, a director at the environmental group Friends of the Earth. “Farmers don’t want to grow it, food companies don’t want to sell it and consumers don’t want to eat it.”

In the time it will take for farmers to grow the Arctic apples, “consumers have time to get informed and decide whether they want to purchase them,” said Wendy Brannen, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Apple Association.

*  *  *

A recent Pew Research Center survey showed that while 88% of scientists think genetically modified food is safe to eat, only 37% of the general public believe so.

Comments

[Dre4dwolf]

I think GMO is OK as long as you are taking a gene that the plant already has and propagating it/selecting it over other genes that are less desirable, like breeding birds with blue feathers instead of green feathers because you like blue... thats fine, but when you mix a bird a pig a cow and some corn to make corn that flies onto your plate cooks itself and repels insects. . . .  that shit is fucking stupid and only idiots would want to eat that . . ., the GMO I think should be banned are . . . . foods that produce their own pesticides or foods that are mixed with other species... like Fish Based Spider Gene Corn that produces its own pesticides, or ... wheat that is altered with genes from other plants / animals...

When your corn is half spider/ and half corn . . . I wouldn't want to eat that, and if the seeds of the plant are patented I am completely against patenting of life forms . . . for the very fact that no one should have a monopoly on nature.

Also companies like monsanto are pure shit. . . they do little to no testing and use $$$$ and govt bribes to get their shit approved.... even though their own trials exhibit escalated tumor growth in lab animals.... companies like monsanto give GMO a bad name, because they as a company TRULY JUST FUCK WITH NATURE and mix plants animals and god knows what else with no regard for trying to stay in balance with nature.... they would produce a species of corn that wipes out all other corn if they could just to make money suing farmers for pollution of crops they caused!

Farmers should be left to their own devices . . .  these people work hard enough to feed the country (all of us) the last thing they need is frivolous law suits over copyright infringement on corn seeds for crying out loud.

as for this non-browning apple . . . I generally peel an apple when I intend to eat it . . . so my apples never go brown in the first place. . .  but I guess for people that eat processed apples in bags (McDonalds apple slices YUK) it will make their apples atleast appear fresh even though those slices have been frozen for weeks in a plastic sack..... 

As always the free market will decide if these apples will sell well... I guess... 

Entering the GMO market as a new company is risky now as the general trend has turned against GMOS..... people want to eat natural shit.... the world is going to shit from all the fucking vaccines, pesticides, medications and day to day chemicals everyone is exposed to, and now they are even fucking with nature and the food we eat. . . . there has to be a line drawn someplace. . . . the entire population is going to endup brain damaged if we stay the course.. . .

[TMLutas]

This has everything a normal apple has minus PPO, the enzyme that makes everything brown. no spider or wolf dna this time.

If you've got a fussy kid that needs to eat more fruit and tends to eat sliced fruit more than whole fruit but not when it's brown, that's pretty much the perfect market for this apple. 

[Monetas]

Wussy, fussy, pussy .... hey, there might be a big market .... for this stuff ?

[Ginsengbull]

This reminds me of the farmer who was selling "flavored apples" at a farmers market near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

He offered me a sample, which was yellow on one half, and purple on the other.

I bit the yellow side, and exclaimed "it tastes like a banana". He said "turn it over".

I bit the purple side, and it tasted like a grape.

The farmer explained that through selective breeding, he was able to produce apples with any flavor possible.

I said "I bet you can't make one taste like pussy."

He reached into a small basket and said "try this".

I bit into it, and said "Ew, that's horrible. Tastes like shit"

The farmer smiled, and said "Turn it over".

[Ginsengbull]

Sprinke them with cinamon and sugar. They will be brown anyway, but the picky eaters love them.

[q99x2]

Arrest Bill Gates for crimes against humanity.

[HowdyDoody]

There is no need to worry. No GMO has ever lived up to its hyped benefits.

[fxpmtrader]

A disgusting step further back into Stoneage.

But ignorant and dumb sheeple get (on their table) what they (accept and - so rightly so) - deserve.

Guess this is bullish - iApple up another 10% or so.

God help Applerica.

[harrybrown]

***A recent Pew Research Center survey showed that while 88% of scientists think genetically modified food is safe to eat, only 37% of the general public believe so.***

Scientits think they are safe to eat, I would rather hear "know they are safe to eat, but we all know that aint gona happen for legal reasons.

What % of these arsholes who approve these Frankenstein food actually "eat them"...don't even go there. Note I didnt say "live off them" cos.... GMO's KILL...

[Bumbu Sauce]

GMO's kill?  Shouldn't be hard to produce peer reviewed reasearch to substantiate your religious, I'm sorry, sciency claim.

[Monetas]

Finally .... apple butter will be yellow .... like the other butter !

[El Hosel]

You eat it

[Monetas]

"That depends upon what the meaning of "it" is !" William Blythe Jefferson Clinton

[IndianaJohn]

As with most fruits, we eat apples with the eye. All is not lost yet. If you live near 46360, search; Pavolka Orchard.

I am a paying retail customer.

[JimmyCDN]

Just use some lemon juice!  Problem solved...  I want off this planet!

[BolshevikPartyP...]

Don't commit adultery isn't what you think it is.  When you research the original definition of that word, it means do not mix any living seed.  What do we have now?  Race mixing and Monsanto's seed mixing.  

The Monsanto family is an "interesting" seed:  http://www.jewwatch.com/jew-leaders-monsanto.html

[Ginsengbull]

Most apples are already 18 months old when they hit the shelves in the supermarket.

[Ginsengbull]

Navel oranges are evil.

Chestnuts are lazy.

[Joe A]

People of Europe, watch out cause we could have that on the continent as well. The currently negotiated (in secret!) 'free trade agreement' with the US (TTIP) could open the door for GMO and growth hormone infested meat. Currently apart from tow varieties of corn, GMO are banned in Europe but with TTIP that could be in danger. Also the new EC with Juncker at the helm ("when it is serious you need to lie" and "we will try something out and when there is no resistance then we'll push trhough until it is too late to go back") has signaled that they will ease restrictions. Biotech is lobbying hard in Brussels. The EFSA is a revolving door with food and biotech companies, just like the FDA and biotech in the US.

TTIP will lead to erosions of labor, social and environmental rights and restrictions. If we don't do anything about this then we will end up like our American friends working two jobs in cubicles to make ends meet with only two weeks of holiday per year, eating GMO and growth hormone infested food.

Here ten reason why TTIP is bad for good food and farming

http://www.iatp.org/documents/10-reasons-ttip-is-bad-for-good-food-and-f...

[fxpmtrader]

No chance to stop that anymore.

With 8 billion ignorant, short memoried, dumb, sheeple only interested in coke, fucking, burgers, tv, games, porn, chips, iphones and facebook - while on the other side Bruessels whores are fucked from all sides by the lobbyists with unlimitted sponsoring - it is crystal clear what the outcome will be.

The majority of the sheeple will munch what is put on the table.
They have no clue about food and they are not interested in what is below the surface.
They don't even know there's something below the surface.
Same as it ever was since Stonage.

Sheeple are a failed species.
They have learned nothing from history, they are still animals.
The 0.01% as well as the 99.99%.

History of this planet shows "Failed and weak species go under" - anyway.
Either this way or that way.

There is no hope - as obviously the genes of humans are a completely failed experiment.
8 billions permanently (that is since Stonage) fucked sheepheads (with absolutely no end in sight) is an undeniable proof.

[Firewood]

On the road from Soddom to Gomorrah nothing of note happened until the brimstone rained and then the sheeple clapped for the fireworks "show".

[Suicyco]

The easiest way to resist and ultimately bury GMO, of course, is to not buy it.

This presupposes that you'll know what is and what isn't modified i.e. labelling. That's what needs to be fought for in Europe, the consumers will ultimately hit the revenues and put an end to the offerings.

[fxpmtrader]

LMAO ... the sheepheads will buy what is the cheapest and what is sold to them via tv.
And the GMO lobby will do whatever is necessary to sell it.

First you have to change sheepheads into thinking humans with momories lasting longer than an hour or two. No chance ever. It's in their genes - stupid.

[Firewood]

rotten to the core

An "apple" a day

brings cancer your way.

Now let's fry some Aqua Advantage "fish".

https://gefreebc.wordpress.com/apple/

[Bumbu Sauce]

American Association for the Advancement of Science: ”The science is quite clear: crop
improvement by the modern molecular techniques of biotechnology is safe.”

( http://bit.ly/11cR4sB )

American Medical Association: ”There is no scientific justification for special labeling of
genetically modified foods. Bioengineered foods have been consumed for close to 20 years, and
during that time, no overt consequences on human health have been reported and/or
substantiated in the peer-reviewed literature.”

( http://bit.ly/166OUdM )

World Health Organization: ”No effects on human health have been shown as a result of the
consumption of GM foods by the general population in the countries where they have been
approved.”

( http://bit.ly/18yzzVI )

National Academy of Sciences: ”To date more than 98 million acres of genetically modified
crops have been grown worldwide. No evidence of human health problems associated with the
ingestion of these crops or resulting food products have been identified.”

(http://bit.ly/13Cib0Y )

The Royal Society of Medicine: ”Foods derived from GM crops have been consumed by hundreds
of millions of people across the world for more than 15 years, with no reported ill effects (or
legal cases related to human health), despite many of the consumers coming from that most
litigious of countries, the USA.”

( http://1.usa.gov/12huL7Z )

The European Commission: ”The main conclusion to be drawn from the efforts of more than 130
research projects, covering a period of more than 25 years of research, and involving more than
500 independent research groups, is that biotechnology, and in particular GMOs, are no more
risky than e.g. conventional plant breeding technologies.”

(http://bit.ly/133BoZW )

American Council on Science and Health: ”[W]ith the continuing accumulation of evidence of
safety and efficiency, and the complete absence of any evidence of harm to the public or the
environment, more and more consumers are becoming as comfortable with agricultural
biotechnology as they are with medical biotechnology.”

( http://bit.ly/12hvoyg )

American Dietetic Association: ”It is the position of the American Dietetic Association that
agricultural and food biotechnology techniques can enhance the quality, safety, nutritional
value, and variety of food available for human consumption and increase the efficiency of food
production, food processing, food distribution, and environmental and waste
management.”

( http://1.usa.gov/12hvWnE )

American Phytopathological Society: ”The American Phytopathological Society (APS), which
represents approximately 5,000 scientists who work with plant pathogens, the diseases they
cause, and ways of controlling them, supports biotechnology as a means for improving plant
health, food safety, and sustainable growth in plant productivity.”

(http://bit.ly/14Ft4RL )

American Society for Cell Biology: ”Far from presenting a threat to the public health, GM crops
in many cases improve it. The ASCB vigorously supports research and development in the area
of genetically engineered organisms, including the development of genetically modified (GM)
crop plants.”

( http://bit.ly/163sWdL )

American Society for Microbiology: ”The ASM is not aware of any acceptable evidence that food
produced with biotechnology and subject to FDA oversight constitutes high risk or is unsafe. We
are sufficiently convinced to assure the public that plant varieties and products created with
biotechnology have the potential of improved nutrition, better taste and longer shelf-
life.”

(http://bit.ly/13Cl2ak )

American Society of Plant Biologists: ”The risks of unintended consequences of this type of
gene transfer are comparable to the random mixing of genes that occurs during classical
breeding… The ASPB believes strongly that, with continued responsible regulation and oversight,
GE will bring many significant health and environmental benefits to the world and its
people.”

(http://bit.ly/13bLJiR )

International Seed Federation: ”The development of GM crops has benefited farmers, consumers
and the environment… Today, data shows that GM crops and foods are as safe as their
conventional counterparts: millions of hectares worldwide have been cultivated with GM crops
and billions of people have eaten GM foods without any documented harmful effect on human
health or the environment.”

(http://bit.ly/138rZLW )

Council for Agricultural Science and Technology: ”Over the last decade, 8.5 million farmers have
grown transgenic varieties of crops on more than 1 billion acres of farmland in 17 countries.
These crops have been consumed by humans and animals in most countries. Transgenic crops
on the market today are as safe to eat as their conventional counterparts, and likely more so
given the greater regulatory scrutiny to which they are exposed.”

( http://bit.ly/11cTKq9 )

Crop Science Society of America: ”The Crop Science Society of America supports education and
research in all aspects of crop production, including the judicious application of
biotechnology.”

(http://bit.ly/138sQMB )

International Society of African Scientists: ”Africa and the Caribbean cannot afford to be left
further behind in acquiring the uses and benefits of this new agricultural revolution.”

(http://bit.ly/14Fp1oK )

Federation of Animal Science Societies: ”Meat, milk and eggs from livestock and poultry
consuming biotech feeds are safe for human consumption.”

(http://bit.ly/133F79K )

Society for In Vitro Biology: ”The SIVB supports the current science-based approach for the
evaluation and regulation of genetically engineered crops. The SIVB supports the need for easy
public access to available information on the safety of genetically modified crop products. In
addition, the SIVB feels that foods from genetically modified crops, which are determined to be
substantially equivalent to those made from crops, do not require mandatory labeling.”

(http://bit.ly/18yFDxo )

Consensus document on GMOs Safety (14 Italian scientific societies): ”GMOs on the market
today, having successfully passed all the tests and procedures necessary to authorization, are
to be considered, on the basis of current knowledge, safe to use for human and animal
consumption.”

( http://bit.ly/166WHYZ )

Society of Toxicology: ”Scientific analysis indicates that the process of GM food production is
unlikely to lead to hazards of a different nature than those already familiar to toxicologists. The
level of safety of current GM foods to consumers appears to be equivalent to that of traditional
foods.”

( http://bit.ly/13bOaSt )

“Transgenic Plants and World Agriculture” – Prepared by the Royal Society of London, the U.S.
National Academy of Sciences , the Brazilian Academy of Sciences , the Chinese Academy of
Sciences , the Indian National Science Academy , the Mexican Academy of Sciences , and
the Third World Academy of Sciences: “Foods can be produced through the use of GM
technology that are more nutritious, stable in storage, and in principle health promoting –
bringing benefits to consumers in both industrialized and developing nations.”

( http://bit.ly/17Cliq5 )

French Academy of Science: ”All criticisms against GMOs can be largely rejected on strictly
scientific criteria.”

( http://bit.ly/15Hm3wO )

Union of German Academies of Sciences and Humanities: ”Food derived from GM plants
approved in the EU and the US poses no risks greater than those from the corresponding
conventional food. On the contrary, in some cases food from GM plants appears to be superior
with respect to health.”

(http://bit.ly/17ClMMF )

International Council for Science: ”Currently available genetically modified crops – and foods
derived from them – have been judged safe to eat, and the methods used to test them have been
deemed appropriate.”

(http://bit.ly/15Hn487 )

[Bumbu Sauce]

Why are we vegans open to GMO?

We feel it is important to stay open-minded and scientific about genetic engineering and
biotechnology. It’s especially a concern to us as vegans for these reasons:
1. Animal testing: Insisting on unfounded safety testing leads to more animals being harmed in order
to perform this testing.
2. Animal alternatives: GM technology can help create alternatives to animal products. For example,
insulin used to be obtained from slaughtered animals; now it is manufactured by genetically
modified bacteria. It could also be possible to use GM technology to replace animal foods. Cheese
has been difficult to mock, and the lack of acceptable vegan cheese analogues could be a barrier for
many potential vegans.
3. Nutrition & Health: GM technology can benefit vegans by creating plants rich in nutrients vegans
lack, such as vitamin B12 and DHA. This would make it easier for people to go and stay vegan.
Recently, CSIRO scientists have been enabling canola plants to produce DHA. People who are
vegan need DHA, and synthetic DHA can help save the lives of fish, who are often used as a source
of omega-3 fatty acids. People are animals too, and there are many in dire need of help. GM
technology could help bring essential nutrients to starving populations, and GM foods could even be
used as vehicles for vaccine delivery.
4. Environment: Creating plants that use fewer pesticides and fertilizers will help us strive toward a
sustainable agriculture that’s less detrimental to all life on this planet. Fewer insects would be
killed, less runoff will poison fish, and no- or low-till agriculture will save the lives of ground-
dwelling animals.

http://www.vegangmo.com/?page_id=655

[vegan]

"After decades of promises from the biotech industry that genetically engineered (GE) food would feed the world, cure the sick, reduce agricultural dependence on toxic chemicals, and save countless crops from imminent collapse, USDA has just approved a product they think will solve a problem humans have struggled with for centuries… an apple that doesn’t brown when you slice it… Seriously; we couldn’t make this stuff up.

"While these GE apples are a waste of time and money, we don’t want to downplay the real concerns about them. Pre-sliced apples are actually a frequently recalled food product. Once the whole fruit is sliced, it has an increased risk of exposure to pathogens. Since browning is a sign that apples are no longer fresh, “masking” this natural signal could lead people to consume contaminated apples, which is why some folks are calling it the “botox apple.”

http://salsa3.salsalabs.com/o/1881/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_K...

[Bumbu Sauce]

The Center for Food Safety (CFS) is a project of the International Center for Technology Assessment (ICTA). CFS is headed by Andrew Kimbrell, who was mentored by Jeremy Rifkin at the Foundation on Economic Trends. Next to the Unabomber, Rifkin is perhaps America’s most notable anti-technologist. CFS’s current focus is large-scale agriculture — specifically, food technology. It is a major partner in the “Keep Nature Natural” campaign, which receives funding from the organic food industry. CFS often participates in food scare projects managed by Fenton Communications, a Washington, D.C. public relations firm often used by anti-industry activists.

CFS has four stated goals, which promote organic agriculture by restricting traditional farming methods: “Ensuring the testing, labeling and regulation of genetically engineered (GE) foods; Preserving strict national organic food standards; Preventing potential animal and human health crises caused by food borne illness — including ‘mad cow’ disease; Educating the public on the hazards of industrial agriculture.” In 2004, CFS was the single largest financial contributor to a campaign to ban biotech crops in Mendocino County, CA. The ban (known as “Measure H”) passed, and is the only law of its kind in the country.

CFS sponsors the “Keep Nature Natural” campaign, a national initiative to flood the Food and Drug Administration with comments asking for stricter regulation of GE foods. Other sponsors of this project include Chefs Collaborative, Friends of the Earth, the Organic Consumers Association, and organic marketers Whole Foods Market and Eden Foods. At the heart of the campaign is a legal petition filed by CFS demanding mandatory warning labeling for genetically improved foods. Its ultimate goal was summed up by Craig Winters (who runs The Campaign to Label Genetically Engineered Foods) when he acknowledged that “labeling has nearly the same effect as a ban.”

CFS is also a member of the Fenton Communications–run “GE Food Alert” coalition, the organization responsible for the fall 2000 StarLink biotech corn scare. Other members include National Environmental Trust, Friends of the Earth, Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, Organic Consumers Association, and the Pesticide Action Network. CFS co-sponsors (along with Greenpeace) the anti-food-technology web site www.cropchoice.com.

CFS’s relationship with its parent group (ICTA) is a curious one. Although CFS has its own tax ID number and files its own IRS returns, ICTA continues to solicit, receive, and spend grant monies on behalf of its smaller “project.” For this reason, our financial profile shows financial support and budget numbers for the two entities combined.

One of the CFS's largest donors is the Foundation for Deep Ecology.  If you aren't familiar with Deep Ecology, it may shock and surprise you.

[Bumbu Sauce]

Dubbed “botox apples” because they are designed to prevent bruising and browning, Arctic Granny Smith and Arctic Golden Delicious apples made by Canada’s Okanagan Specialty Fruits have been under review by U.S. regulatory agencies since 2010 and could become the second genetically modified fruit to be allowed in the country.

“Not only do they have significant potential to reduce food waste, the resistance to browning results in better taste, texture and likely a retention of healthful components like vitamin C and antioxidants, which are typically burned up in the browning reaction,”

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/gmo-apples-don-bruise-brown-sto...

[Ginsengbull]

What's worse than biting into an apple, and finding a worm?

Biting into an apple, and finding a half of a worm.

[Mediocritas]

*facepalm*

They knocked down polyphenol oxidase, a plastid-targeted enzyme involved in senescence and defence. It's up-regulated in response to wounding and pathogen attack, we've known that since the 1950's!

Apples go brown at the cut site because they're oxidising; killing off effected cells, breaking down proteins, recycling amino acids for use elsewhere, and making the wound site less tasty for bugs.

Doesn't take Einstein to realize that this line is going to need higher levels of pesticides to compensate for a natural defence measure being knocked down. That's the problem. Eating GMOs is usually harmless (ALL your food is already GMO, created by centuries of hybridisation, mutagenesis and selective breeding), but eating pesticides is NOT harmless.

[Bumbu Sauce]

Theyve been growing these apples for 10 years are have reported that no addtiional pesticides have been used to cultivate them.  Does anyone read RTFA?