Two new types of genetically modified (GM) potatoes were approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on October 28. The GM potatoes are designed to resist the pathogen that caused the Irish potato famine.
The approval covers Idaho-based J.R. Simplot Co.’s Ranger Russet and Atlantic varieties of the company’s 2nd generation of Innate potatoes.
Simplot says the potatoes will bruise less, contain fewer black spots, and have enhanced storage capacity. The spuds have a lower amount of a potentially carcinogenic chemical created when potatoes are cooked at high temperatures.
Before the GMO potatoes can reach the market, they must first clear a voluntary review process through the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), as well as receive approval from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The company says those approvals are likely to come in January, with the potatoes entering the market by spring.
The FDA gave preliminary approval to the GMO Simplot potatoes in January 2016, saying they weren’t substantially different in composition or safety from other similar products already on the market. However, research by several independent scientists indicate that there are, in fact, many differences between GMO and non-GMO crops.
According to the Center for Food Safety, the method used to modify the potatoes, RNA interference, is untested, and 1 of the substances suppressed by the technique actually plays a vital role in the potatoes’ chemical makeup and ability to fight pests. It’s possible that the Simplot potatoes could lead to even more spraying of toxic pesticides.
McDonald’s and Frito Lay has already said they will not use the GM Simplot potatoes, due to consumer backlash. But many other restaurants – and supermarkets – will likely start turn to the Frankenspuds because of their purported benefits.
Reducing a potentially carcinogenic chemical in potatoes is a good thing, but will the damage outweigh the benefits?
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Damage Jules? You mean like you using the word Frankenspud trying scare people? We use to expect this from Chrissy, but you USED to have morals. I guess you sold them out to spread lies and misinformation.
November 06, 2016 Obama Signs ‘Monsanto Protection Act’ Written by Monsanto-Sponsored Senator United States
President Barack Obama has signed a bill into law that was written in part by the very billion-dollar corporation that will benefit directly from the legislation. On Tuesday, Pres. Obama inked his name to H.R. 933, a continuing resolution spending bill approved in Congress days earlier. Buried 78 pages within the bill exists a provision that grossly protects biotech corporations such as the Missouri-based Monsanto Company from litigation.