Three new varieties of potatoes in the US which have been genetically engineered to resist late blight have been declared safe to the environment and safe to eat federal officials have announced.
The approval by the US Environmental Protection Agency and the US Food and Drug Administration late last week gives Idaho-based J. R. Simplot Company permission to plant the potatoes this spring and sell them in the autumn.
The company said the potatoes contain only potato genes, and that the resistance to late blight comes from an Argentine variety of potato that naturally produces its own defence.
The company said the potatoes will also have reduced bruising and black spots
The three varieties are the Russet Burbank, Ranger Russet and Atlantic have the same taste and texture and nutritional qualities as conventional potatoes, said Simplot spokesman Doug Cole.
Simplot says the genetically engineered potatoes reduce the use of fungicide by half.
The company said the potatoes will also have reduced bruising and black spots, enhanced storage capacity, and a reduced amount of a chemical created when potatoes are cooked at high temperatures.
Public perception
The company say that while there is no evidence that genetically modified organisms, known as GMOs, are unsafe to eat, for some people altering the genetic code of foods presents an ethical issue.
McDonald‘s continues to decline to use Simplot‘s genetically engineered potatoes for its French fries.
Simplot notes the potatoes contain only potato genes, and not DNA from an unrelated organism. Organisms that contain DNA from an unrelated organism are defined as transgenic.
Source: Insiderfinancial
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Three new varieties of potatoes in the US which have been genetically engineered to resist late blight have been declared safe to the environment and safe to eat federal officials have announced.
The approval by the US Environmental Protection Agency and the US Food and Drug Administration late last week gives Idaho-based J. R. Simplot Company permission to plant the potatoes this spring and sell them in the autumn.
The company said the potatoes contain only potato genes, and that the resistance to late blight comes from an Argentine variety of potato that naturally produces its own defence.
The company said the potatoes will also have reduced bruising and black spots
The three varieties are the Russet Burbank, Ranger Russet and Atlantic have the same taste and texture and nutritional qualities as conventional potatoes, said Simplot spokesman Doug Cole.
Simplot says the genetically engineered potatoes reduce the use of fungicide by half.
The company said the potatoes will also have reduced bruising and black spots, enhanced storage capacity, and a reduced amount of a chemical created when potatoes are cooked at high temperatures.
Public perception
The company say that while there is no evidence that genetically modified organisms, known as GMOs, are unsafe to eat, for some people altering the genetic code of foods presents an ethical issue.
McDonald‘s continues to decline to use Simplot‘s genetically engineered potatoes for its French fries.
Simplot notes the potatoes contain only potato genes, and not DNA from an unrelated organism. Organisms that contain DNA from an unrelated organism are defined as transgenic.
Source: Insiderfinancial
Read more
2019 potato yields recover but harvest losses higher
New azole fungicide to hit the market in time for 2020 season
Funding for research in brewing and distilling welcomed by drinks industry
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