Genetically engineered apples do not go brown
Watch the latest videos on TomoNews US!
2014-03-07
Views 42
Originally published on January 13, 2014
A Canadian biotechnology firm has developed a genetically modified apple that will not go brown when cut.
When an apple is cut, the cells are damaged which enables enzymes called polyphenol oxidase to react with oxygen molecules in air, turning the flesh brown.
To stop apples from browning, scientists insert more copies of the gene that produces polyphenol oxidase. The extra genes cause the cells to produce less of the browning enzymes in a process called genetic silencing.
However, the genetically modified apple, named the "Arctic Apple", differs from other genetically modified foods as the additional genes are not extracted from other plants or animals.
In an interview with NPR, Neal Carter, president of Okanagan Specialty Fruits, said the genetically altered apple would significantly reduce costs for the food service industry. "Right now, to make fresh-cut apple slices and put them in the bag, 35 or 40 percent of the cost is the antioxidant treatment. So you could make a fresh-cut apple slice 30 percent cheaper."
The non-browning apple has attracted opposition from organic apple farmers, who fear their organic orchards would be "polluted" as honeybees will spread genetically modified apple pollens. They also said their businesses are at stake because some customers who are skeptical of genetically engineered food would avoid eating apples altogether.
The Canadian firm is awaiting approval from the U.S. Agriculture Department, and according to the Seattle Times, it is likely to be granted. However, the new apples will hit the shelves a few years later as it takes time for orchards to mature into productive trees.
--------------------------------------------------------
Welcome to TomoNews, where we animate the most entertaining news on the internets. Come here for an animated look at viral headlines, US news, celebrity gossip, salacious scandals, dumb criminals and much more! Subscribe now for daily news animations that will knock your socks off.
Check out our official website: http://us.tomonews.net/
For news that's fun and never boring, visit our channel:
https://www.youtube.com/user/TomoNewsUS
Subscribe to stay updated on all the top stories:
http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=TomoNewsUS
Stay connected with us here:
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/TomoNewsUS
Twitter @tomonewsus http://www.twitter.com/TomoNewsUS
Google+ http://gplus.to/TomoNewsUS
A Canadian biotechnology firm has developed a genetically modified apple that will not go brown when cut.
When an apple is cut, the cells are damaged which enables enzymes called polyphenol oxidase to react with oxygen molecules in air, turning the flesh brown.
To stop apples from browning, scientists insert more copies of the gene that produces polyphenol oxidase. The extra genes cause the cells to produce less of the browning enzymes in a process called genetic silencing.
However, the genetically modified apple, named the "Arctic Apple", differs from other genetically modified foods as the additional genes are not extracted from other plants or animals.
In an interview with NPR, Neal Carter, president of Okanagan Specialty Fruits, said the genetically altered apple would significantly reduce costs for the food service industry. "Right now, to make fresh-cut apple slices and put them in the bag, 35 or 40 percent of the cost is the antioxidant treatment. So you could make a fresh-cut apple slice 30 percent cheaper."
The non-browning apple has attracted opposition from organic apple farmers, who fear their organic orchards would be "polluted" as honeybees will spread genetically modified apple pollens. They also said their businesses are at stake because some customers who are skeptical of genetically engineered food would avoid eating apples altogether.
The Canadian firm is awaiting approval from the U.S. Agriculture Department, and according to the Seattle Times, it is likely to be granted. However, the new apples will hit the shelves a few years later as it takes time for orchards to mature into productive trees.
--------------------------------------------------------
Welcome to TomoNews, where we animate the most entertaining news on the internets. Come here for an animated look at viral headlines, US news, celebrity gossip, salacious scandals, dumb criminals and much more! Subscribe now for daily news animations that will knock your socks off.
Check out our official website: http://us.tomonews.net/
For news that's fun and never boring, visit our channel:
https://www.youtube.com/user/TomoNewsUS
Subscribe to stay updated on all the top stories:
http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=TomoNewsUS
Stay connected with us here:
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/TomoNewsUS
Twitter @tomonewsus http://www.twitter.com/TomoNewsUS
Google+ http://gplus.to/TomoNewsUS
Report form
RELATED VIDEOS
