B.C. Company Develops New Genetically Modified Apple
By Amanda Brodhagen, Farms.com
The ‘Arctic Apple’ is being dubbed the latest development for a British Columbia company that has created a genetically modified apple that doesn’t turn brown when cut or bruised. The company who’s behind the Arctic Apple - Okanagan Specialty Fruits, is seeking approval for the new apple variety in Canada and the U.S. The breeding of the Arctic Apple consists of two varieties, Golden Delicious and Granny Smith. The research was commissioned by the B.C. Fruit Growers Association and the Quebec Apple Producers Association. The company also aspires to develop more apple varieties in the future including Fuji and Gall.
The approval process for the Arctic Apple rests partially with consumer input. The process is well on its way in both Canada and the U.S. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has just completed the comment period with over 3,300 respondents participating and the U.S. Department of Agriculture opened their public comment period last week. The Arctic Apple will soon be subject to rigorous scientific testing to ensure its safety for human consumption.
Despite much speculation revolving around ‘Franken Foods’ a term used to refer to genetically modified foods (GM), the President of Okanagan Specialty Fruits, Neal Carter says he’s confident that the Arctic Apple will meet government approval standards.
“Biotechnology is just a breeding tool. There’s a lot of negative [comments] around the term and people get all worked up,” said Carter.
Time will tell if the Artic Apple can stand up to government testing and consumer feedback. While there may be some opposition to the Arctic Apple because it’s a GM food, the majority of the food that Canadian and U.S. consumers already consume are GM products. The rise of GM food creations may have consumers demanding governments to implement food label regulations on GM products.