The USDA has approved a GM apple that farmers don’t want to grow, food companies don’t want to sell, and consumers don’t want to eat
The GM apple that the USDA just approved has never, as far as we know, been safety tested in animals or humans.
Don’t want the GM apple to be approved in Canada? Write to the Minister of Health: No GM Apple!
http://www.cban.ca/Resources/Topics/GE-Crops-and-Foods-Not-on-the-Market/Apple/Write-to-the-Minister-of-Health-No-GM-Apple
1. USDA approves genetically engineered apple despite health concerns
2. Okanagan orchardists upset over genetically modified apples
3. U.S. approves biotech apple that resists browning
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1. USDA approves genetically engineered apple despite health concerns
Centre for Food Safety, February 13, 2015
http://www.centerforfoodsafety.org/press-releases/3753/usda-approves-genetically-engineered-apple-despite-health-concerns
* Little understood gene silencing technology will now be unlabeled in common consumer products
Center for Food Safety today expressed deep concern over the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) decision to approve a first-of-its-kind genetically engineered (GE) apple that doesn't brown after bruising or slicing. The apple, developed by the company Okanagan Specialty Fruits, uses a relatively new form of genetic engineering called RNA interference or gene silencing, which has raised numerous concerns from consumer groups, environmentalists, and the apple industry. Like other GE products in the U.S., no mandatory labeling will be required. This approval allows commercial production of Granny Smith and Golden Delicious varieties of Okanagan’s non-browning “Arctic” apple, and the company has Fuji and Gala versions on the horizon.
“This product is completely unnecessary and poses numerous risks to apple growers, the food industry and consumers,” said Andrew Kimbrell, executive director for Center for Food Safety. “For USDA to turn a blind eye to these risks for such an inessential technological ‘advance’ is foolish and potentially costly.”
The genetic engineering of such a commonly grown fruit could cause contamination of nearby organic or conventional apple orchards. The unlabeled GE apples, which are meant to appeal to fresh-cut apple slice processors and the food service industry, could also find their way into non-GE fruit slices, juice, baby foods or apple sauce, products predominantly consumed by children and babies who are at increased risk for any adverse health effects.
Pre-sliced apples are 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 call it the “botox apple.”
“This decision is scientifically irresponsible and misguided,” said Dr. Doug Gurian-Sherman, senior scientist at Center for Food Safety. “The agency has failed to analyze whether suppressing fruit browning with these novel RNAs impacts the rest of the gene family in the tree, or whether there are off-target impacts on other genes. USDA should hold off on deregulating RNAi-engineered crops until they have gotten a grip on the latest research in this area.”
Unlike earlier cut-and-splice techniques focused on DNA, the new techniques, called RNA interference or RNAi, are based on the manipulation of RNA molecules in order to dial back the expression of, or silence, genes. The Arctic Apple has been engineered to reduce polyphenol oxidase (PPO) enzymes responsible for browning in apple flesh after bruising. However, these enzymes are also found throughout the tree, where impacts of the engineering were not determined. In addition, recent studies show that interference targeting one gene might unpredictably turn off, or down, unrelated genes.
In other plants, PPO genes are known to bolster pest and stress resistance. As a result, non-browning apple trees might be more vulnerable to disease and require more pesticides than conventional apples. Okanagan did not analyze PPO gene functions in apples other than browning in the fruit. Nor did it attempt to determine whether it has inadvertently silenced genes outside the PPO family. In addition, the Okanagan assessment also gave short shrift to potential effects on wild pollinators and honeybees, human nutrition, and weediness.
The U.S. Apple Association, Northwest Horticultural Council (which represents Washington apple growers, who grow over 60% of the apples in the U.S.), British Columbia Fruit Growers Association and other grower groups have already voiced their disapproval of these GE apples due to the negative impact they could have on farmers growing organic and non-GE apples, and the apple industry as a whole.
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2. Okanagan orchardists upset over genetically modified apples
The Morning Star, 13 Feb 2015
http://www.vernonmorningstar.com/news/291896321.html
Okanagan [in British Columbia, Canada] orchardists vow to fight a genetically modified apple despite U.S. approval.
On Friday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture decided to deregulate Arctic apple varieties developed by Summerland’s Okanagan Speciality Fruits. When cut, the apple does not brown.
“We regret that the U.S. is approving the Arctic Granny Smith and Arctic golden delicious,” said Fred Steele, B.C. Fruit Producers Association pfresident.
“The apple is considered a pure, unadulterated product, similar to milk. In a 2012 national survey of consumers, 71 per cent said they agreed that there should be categories of food that should not be genetically engineered. Our members would like the apple market to remain free of GM apples.”
The BCFGA, representing 520 commercial tree fruit growers in the Okanagan, has opposed the approval of GM apples in Canada due to possible market backlash that could impact all apple sales.
While the U.S. government has deregulated the Arctic apple, the product is not approved in Canada at this time.
“If consumers want to be perfectly assured that they are not eating a GMO apple, then avoid purchase of U.S. Granny Smith and golden delicious apples,” said Steele.
“We will advise the public when the product is approved in Canada, and seek to isolate any damage that the apple will cause in the marketplace by advising consumers how to continue purchasing apples while avoiding the Arctic apple, if they so desire. We would prefer if the Canadian government would place a moratorium on the Arctic apple, until we see the result of the market experiment in the U.S.”
Officials with Okanagan Speciality Fruits says the U.S. decision has been two decades in the making.
“For our fellow growers, this means that Arctic trees can now be purchased and grown just like any other apple trees,” said OSF’s Neal Carter in a blog.
“For consumers, it means that we will be 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.”
Carter says that because it takes apple trees a number of years to produce significant amounts of fruit, it will likely be 2016 before any Arctic apples are available for small, test-markets.
“Following that, we expect increasing amounts of fruit each year, including additional non-browning varieties like Arctic gala and Arctic Fuji.
“The supply-chain can feel confident knowing that Arctic apples are likely the most tested apples in existence. 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.”
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3. U.S. approves biotech apple that resists browning
Carey Gillam
Reuters, 13 Feb 2015
http://www.cnbc.com/id/102425004
U.S. regulators on Friday approved two genetically engineered apple varieties designed to resist browning, rejecting efforts by the organic industry and other GMO critics to block the new fruit.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) approved the new apples, developed by the Canadian biotech company Okanagan Specialty Fruits Inc., as "unlikely to pose a plant pest risk to agriculture."
Okanagan plans to market the apples as Arctic Granny and Arctic Golden, and says the apples are identical to their conventional counterparts except that they will not turn brown.
Okanagan President Neal Carter, called the USDA approval a "a monumental occasion."
"It is the biggest milestone yet for us, and we can't wait until they're available for consumers," he said in a statement.
Carter said Arctic apples will first be available in late 2016 in small quantities, and it will take many years before the apples are widely distributed.
The company has said that due to concerns about consumer acceptance of GMO foods, it is using only tree fruit genes in its development of the apples.
Genetically engineered corn, soy and other crops that have drawn criticism from consumer groups are spliced with genetic material from bacteria or other organisms.
Still, the new Okanagan apples have drawn opposition. The Organic Consumers Association petitioned the USDA to deny approval. The group says the genetic changes that prevent browning could be harmful to human health.
As well, Ronnie Cummins, director of the Organic Consumers Association (OCA), said apples are typically sprayed with dozens of different pesticides and the genetic tinkering will allow for more pesticide treatment.
The OCA will be pressuring food companies and retail outlets not to make use of the apples, Cummins said.
"This whole thing is just another big experiment on humans for no good reason," he said.
(Reporting By Carey Gillam; Editing by Chris Reese)