In February, the first genetically engineered apples were approved for planting and sale in the US by the Department of Agriculture. Two varieties, known as the Arctic Granny and Arctic Golden received the approval. They are genetically engineered to resist browning.
Browning in apples is caused by a chemical reaction between an enzyme in the apple known as polyphenol oxidase (or PPO) and antioxidants called phenolics. The Arctic apples utilize low-PPO genes from certain other apples to “silence” the production of the enzyme. The resultant Arctic apples produce too little PPO to brown. The upshot is an apple that can be sliced up and refrigerated in a plastic bag without browning for several days.
The action to permit the use of these apples was taken on the basis that they were deemed unlikely to pose any risk to agriculture or to the human environment. Under the Plant Protection Act, if a GMO is determined to not pose any risks, it must be deregulated. It will be a couple of years before Arctic apples turn up in any stores.
The Arctic designation is a brand of the Canadian company Okanagan Specialty Fruits. The apples will be labeled with the brand, but not labeled as a GMO crop. Congress is considering the Genetically Engineered Food Right-to-Know Act, but until legislation of this sort is enacted, GMO produce does not have to be labeled as such. The company is not hiding the origins of its apples. Specific details are available on the company’s website. Consumers can see the Arctic label and decide for themselves.
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U.S. Approves First Genetically Engineered Apples
Photo, posted August 14, 2009, courtesy of Jan Smith via Flickr.
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Earth Wise is a production of WAMC Northeast Public Radio.