Examples of genetically engineered foods:

• The FLAVR-SAVR tomato

  The FLAVR-SAVR tomato was developed by Calgene and given approval for marketing by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1994. This tomato is genetically modified to prevent production of an enzyme called polygalacturonase (PG) that breaks down pectin, a type of carbohydrate that keeps the tomato firm. The gene that codes for the production of PG was "turned off" in the FLAVR-SAVR tomato by the insertion of an"antisense" or mirror-image gene. Since the fruit cannot make PG, they can ripen on the vine without becoming too soft to transport.

• An insect-protected potato was developed by Monsanto by inserting a Bacillus thuringiensis toxin gene into the plant.
• Virus resistant squash
• Herbicide resistant soybeans, canola, and corn.
• High oleic acid soybeans.

(See: FDA/CFSAN Biotechnology - Foods Derived from New Plant Varieties Derived through Recombinant DNA Technology)

Back to Safety of Products of Plant Biotechnology

Prepared Summer 1997 by Bernadene Magnuson, Ph.D.
University of Idaho, Dept. of Food Science and Toxicology - EXTOXNET FAQ Team.