Genetically Modified Apple Doesn’t Brown
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As science advances, we are able to do many things with genetics that we never thought were possible. The study of genetics may lead us to cures for various deadly diseases. It’s a very complex but beautiful thing. However, genetics gets a little questionable once it starts messing with our food.
If you aren’t aware, our food is already littered with pesticides and additives that may cause certain types of cancers and other chronic illnesses. Some of us try to avoid these by buying organic, although even these foods can have some pesticides in them. That means most of our fruits and veggies aren’t in their natural state. That’s disturbing. What may be even more unsettling than the thought of pesticides in foods is the thought of genetically modified foods.
The “Arctic Apple” was created by Okanagan Specialty Fruits. It has been genetically modified so that it won’t turn brown when cut, and it also won’t bruise. The apple is essentially perfect all the time.
I’m all about innovative inventions, but when we start messing with the natural state of things we consume, it starts to get a little discomforting. With the amount of chronic diseases in our world, scientists messing with our foods concerns me. While the genetically modified apple may be harmless when consumed, it’s the unnaturalness of it that freaks me out. We’re humans. We’re meant to eat fresh things that grow from the earth. The browning of an apple is normal; while it may be a bit mushy, you can still eat it and be perfectly healthy. Eating a genetically modified apple that never turns brown means you don’t know when it’s dropped on the ground. You could be purchasing an apple that had been rolling all over the grocery store before you bought it since it looks perfect. Yuck.
The genetically modified apples were made to never turn brown through silencing the apples’ polyphenol oxidase genes. The Arctic Apples, therefore, don’t produce enough PPO to turn brown, ever.
These genetically modified apples will first be available in Golden Delicious and Granny Smith; then, Fuji and Gala are next. If you’re just as grossed out as I am, you can let the USDA know your opinion by submitting your thoughts. Their website states they will consider public input until September 11, 2012.
PSFK.
