Now GMO Fries? U.S.D.A. Approves Genetically Modified Potato.

Now GMO Fries? U.S.D.A. Approves Genetically Modified Potato. (NYTimes).

A potato genetically engineered to reduce the amounts of a potentially harmful ingredient in French fries and potato chips has been approved for commercial planting, the Department of Agriculture announced on Friday.

The potato’s DNA has been altered so that less of a chemical called acrylamide, which is suspected of causing cancer in people, is produced when the potato is fried.

The new potato also resists bruising, a characteristic long sought by potato growers and processors for financial reasons. Potatoes bruised during harvesting, shipping or storage can lose value or become unusable.

The biotech tubers were developed by the J. R. Simplot Company, a privately held company based in Boise, Idaho, which was the initial supplier of frozen French fries to McDonald’s in the 1960s and is still a major supplier. The company’s founder, Mr. Simplot, who died in 2008, became a billionaire.


The potato is one of a new wave of genetically modified crops that aim to provide benefits to consumers, not just to farmers as the widely grown biotech crops like herbicide-tolerant soybeans and corn do. The nonbruising aspect of the potato is similar to that of genetically engineered nonbrowning apples, developed by Okanagan Specialty Fruits, which are awaiting regulatory approval.Read the full story here.

Major US retailers reject genetically engineered salmon 'frankenfish'.

Major US retailers reject genetically engineered salmon 'frankenfish'.(RT).

The mutant fish was engineered by scientists at a company called AquaBounty, which has spent more than 15 years and $50 million researching and perfecting the frankenfish. The mutants can grow to market size in 16-18 months,rather than the usual 30 months required for the Atlantic salmon.The Food and Drug Administration began its approval process in 2010, and in December decided that the fish is safe enough to be consumed.

The FDA is still conducting its final review of the genetically engineered salmon and retailers expect it to be on store shelves soon. But a coalition of consumer, health, food safety and fishing groups representing more than 2,000 US stores have taken a stand against GE fish and have pledged not to sell it, due to safety concerns and unanswered questions about consuming genetically engineered products.

Trader Joe’s, Aldi, Whole Foods, and Marsh are some of the stores that will refuse to put the frankenfish on its shelves.

“We won't sell genetically engineered fish because we don’t believe it is sustainable or healthy,” Trudy Bialic from PCC Natural Markets in Washington State told Consumer’s Union. “It is troubling that the FDA is recommending approval of Aqua Bounty’s salmon as a ‘new animal drug,’ subjecting these engineered creatures to less rigorous safety standards than food additives.That’s not a credible safety assessment.”

Stores like Walmart, Costco and Safeway, however, have not expressed any opposition to selling the mutant salmon, which is likely to be cheaper due to its expedited growth.

Aqua Bounty has been trying to obtain FDA approval for the frankenfish for the past 17 years, but their engineering has come with a wave of opposition from people concerned about the possible long-term effects of consuming a genetically engineered fish. The fish contains DNA from the eelpout, a ray-finned fish that resembles an eel with its elongated body. Scientists have long been studying the eelpout to see if it can be used to accelerate growth rates of other fish or even to preserve human tissue and organs.But if the FDA allows the mutant salmon on store shelves, it will be the first ever genetically engineered animal deemed safe for consumption.

Scientists are concerned that the FDA has been lax about its decision and might be making a mistake by allowing grocery stores to sell such a creature.
"There are still unanswered safety and nutritional questions and the quality of the data that was submitted to the FDA was the worst stuff I've ever seen submitted for a GMO,” Consumers Union senior scientist Michael Hansen told Alternet in early 2013.“There's stuff there that couldn't make it through a high school science class.”

It is likely that the FDA will not label the genetically engineered fish as having been scientifically manipulated. Patty Lovera, assistant director of Food and Water Watch, is afraid that consumers won’t recognize the mutant fish on store shelves and purchase the produce without knowing where it came from – even if they would otherwise have a problem with consuming such a questionable species.

“Most consumers don't want to eat genetically engineered salmon, but without mandatory labeling it will be hard for them to avoid,” she told Consumers Union. “That's why the stores who have committed to not to sell genetically engineered seafood are making a smart move and giving their customers what they want -- away to avoid this controversial, unnecessary biotech fish.”

But despite the wave of opposition by non-GMO campaigners,“not a single new scientific or legal argument has been presented to the FDA,” Aqua Bounty CEO Dr. Ronald Stotish told Food Navigator. He expects the engineered fish to be on the market by late 2013.Read the full story here.

         Hmmm......Consumer discretion is advised to determinate the amounts to consume.

Genetically Modified Nature: GM Salmon Under Attack By Concerned Experts.

Genetically Modified Nature: GM Salmon Under Attack By Concerned Experts.(AP).By Mike Barrett.The approval of genetically modified salmon has been a controversial issue for quite some time now, and the heat surrounding the altered fish isn’t dying down.
Recently three United States consumer groups petitioned the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to enforce a more strict and rigorous review process for the genetically modified fish than is currently in place.
The FDA needs to realize that many people simply do not want to knowingly consume this toxic creation.
Consumer Groups Call for Genetically Modified Salmon to be Classified as ‘Food Additive’
A new genetically modified animal hybrid known as genetically modified salmon ignited great concern in September of 2010 due to its threat to human health and the environment. While consumer groups and activists have (and still are) attempting to at the very least require labeling of the frankenfish, government agencies such as the United States Department of Agriculture have been pushing for its approval.
The FDA currently classifies the genetically altered salmon to be a new animal drug for the approval process, but the new petition put forth by some consumer groups calls for the fish to be classified as a food additive instead – causing it to go through a much more rigorous process of FDA review and approval.
The Food and Water Watch received internal documents and emails from the U.S. Department of Interior’s Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) which exposed shocking concerns with AquaBounty’s genetically modified salmon not so long ago.
Some of the information within the documents revealed that the FDA did not consult with both FWS and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to determine whether or not the genetically modified fish would impact wild, endangered Atlantic salmon.
By not consulting with these groups, the FDA dodged requirements under the Endangered Species Act which was signed into law in the '70s in order to protect animal species from extinction.
Although the approval of AquaBounty’s salmon was once blocked by the U.S. House of Representatives, it seems the push for approval is still hitting hard. If this salmon is approved, it will be the first genetically engineered animal to appear on your dinner plate (and you may not even know it).Read the full story here.