Flavr Savr Tomato By: Almira Nawaz

The Flavr Savr Tomato

In a world of advancing agricultural technology, genetically engineered foods are always up for many debates. The flavr savr tomato generated varying views about this new method to modify crops, it started the continuing political debate, economic and health related argument about modified foods.

The Flavr Savr Tomato, also known as CGN-89564 was the first genetically engineered produce allowed to be given to consumers. After many experiments on crops, the tomato finally succeeded! It was developed through biotechnology, and through this means was genetically engineered to be eaten safely. Biotechnology can improve the plant itself with more efficiency than natural cross breeding.

An antisense gene was added to the tomato to make the plant more resistant from rotting. This gene prevents the making of enzyme polygalacturonase; this enzyme causes the plant to soften which makes them easy targets of fungal infections.  The production of the genetically modified tomato was successful in the respect of extending the shelf life of the tomato, allowing it to ripen on its vine before being picked.

However this Flavr Savr frustrated scientists because the antisense gene was not successful making the tomato firm while ripening on its vine, so they still had to be grown like other unmodified tomatoes.

The Flavr Savr tomato was not specifically needed in a specific area, it was invented to better the crop by modifying its lasting and firmness ability and prolonging its shelf life. The product failed to attract customers. The tomato did not arise any ethical issues because it did not use any foreign gene to reach its desired purpose but rather used a gene that was already in the tomato and just blocked it.

In my opinion this technology should be used worldwide because the antisense gene blocks polygalacturonase that also helps protect it from fungal infections. Yes it will still grow like any other normal tomato crop but it will then also have the ability to defend itself from this infection.  If we can be protected from one less infection than that would be beneficial for us.

 Ask yourself: Do you feel that the Flavr Savr tomato or the method of modifying the crop will help improve our exports? Why or why not?

References

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flavr_Savr
• http://www.redorbit.com/education/reference_library/science_1/genetically_modified_organisms/1112965696/flavr-savr/
• http://californiaagriculture.ucanr.edu/landingpage.cfm?article=ca.v054n04p6&fulltext=yes

Almira Nawaz