eas Flaw Sau - Wikipoa the ree encyctopeta Flavr Savr From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Flavr Savr (ako known as CGN-89564-2)(pronounced "flavor saver"), a genetically modified tomato, was the first commercially grown genetically engineered food to be granted a license for human consumption. It was produced by the Californian company Calgene, and submitted to the U.S, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1992.1] On May 18, 1994.7! the FDA completed its evaluation of the Flavr Savr tomato and the use of APH(3')IL, concluding that the tomato "is as safe as tomatoes bred by conventional means" and ‘that the use of aminoglycoside 3'-phosphotransferase II is safé for use as a processing aid in the development of new varieties of tomato, rapeseed oil, and cotton intended for food use." It was first sold in 1994, and was only available for a few years before production ceased in 1997.13! Calgene made history, but mounting costs prevented the company from becoming profitable, and it was eventually acquired by Monsanto Company. Plant physiologist Athanasios ‘Theologis with tomatoes that contain the bioengineered ACC synthase gene Contents 1 Characteristies = 2 Fresh tomatoes = 3 Tomato paste = 4 References = 5 External links Characteristics Through genetic engineering, Calgene hoped to slow the ripening process of the tomato and thus prevent it fom softening, while still allowing the tomato to retain its natural colour and flavour.@] The tomato was made more resistant to rotting by adding an antisense gene which interferes with the production of the enzyme polygalacturonase. The enzyme normally degrades pectin in the cell walls and results in the softening of fruit which makes them more susceptible to being damaged by fimgal infections. Unmodified tomatoes are picked before filly ripened and are then artificially ripened using ethylene gas which acts as a plant hormone. Picking the fruit while unripe allows for easier handling and extended shelf lif. Flavr Savr tomatoes, on the other hand, could be allowed to ripen on the vine, without compromising their shelf life. The intended effect of slowing down the softening of Fhyvr Savr tomatoes would allow the vine-ripe futs to be harvested like green tomatoes without greater damage to the tomato itself: The Flavr Savr tumed out to disappoint researchers in that respect, as the antisensed PG gene had positive effect on shelf li, but not on the fiuit’s fimmess, so the tomatoes still had to be harvested like any other unmodified vine-ripe tomatoes.!“] An improved flavor, later achieved through traditional breeding of Flavr Savr and better tasting varieties, would also contribute to selling Flavr Savr at a premium price at the supermarket. hpedonwhipedia ocghwitiFlar_Save 8eae Flaw Sa -Vikipdia, th on eryelopea The FDA stated that special labeling for these modified tomatoes was not necessary because they have the essential characteristics of non-modified tomatoes. Specifically, there was no evidence for health risks, and the nutritional content was unchanged.°) Fresh tomatoes The faire of the Flavr Savr has been attributed to Calgene's inexperience in the business of growing and shipping tomatoes.|5] The variety of tomato Calgene started with was considered by farmers to be inferior, and insufficient resources were allocated to traditional plant breeding. As a result, Calgene's fields produced only 25-50% as many boxes per acre compared to most growers. Of these, only halfas many as anticipated were large enough to be sold as premium priced. Furthermore, much of the inital harvest was damaged during processing and shipping because ripe tomatoes are unavoidably more delicate than unripened ones. Equipment designed for handling peaches was purchased, and specialized shipping crates were developed, both at great expense. These costs along with competition froma new conventionally bred Long Shelf Life (LSL) variety prevented the Flavr Savr fiom becoming profitable, and Calgene was eventually bought by Monsanto, which was primarily interested in Calgene's ventures into cotton and oilseed. Tomato paste In the UK, Zeneca produced a tomato paste that used technology similar to the Flavr Savr.'! Don Grierson was involved in the research to make the genetically modified tomato.|71 Due to the characteristics of the tomato, it was cheaper to produce than conventional tomato paste, resulting in the product being 20% cheaper. Between 1996 and 1999, 1.8 milion cans, clearly labelled as genetically engineered, were sold in Sainsbury's and Safeway. At one point the paste outsold normal tomato paste but sas fell in the autumn of 1998. The House of Commons of the United Kingdom published a report in which they stated that the decline in sales during this period was linked to changing consumer perceptions of genetically modified crops.!8] The report identified several possible factors, including product labeling and perception of choice, lobbying campaigns, and media attention. It concluded that the tone of media reports on the subject underwent a "\indamental shi” in response to a high profile incident in which Dr. Arpad Pusztai, a researcher for Rowett Research Institute, was fired afler making a televised claim about detrimental health effects in lab rats fed a diet of genetically modified potatoes (see the Pustai affair). Subsequent peer review and testimony by Dr. Pusai led the House Science and Technology Select Committee to conclude that his initial claim was "contradicted by his own evidence." In the intervening period, Sainsbury's and Safeway both pledged that none of their house brand products would contain genetically modified ingredients.{°] References 1. * Redenbaugh, Keith, Bill Hiatt, Belinda Martineau, Matthew Kramer, Ray Shechy, Rick Sanders, Cathy Houck and Don Emlay (1992). Safety Assessment of Genetically Engineered Fruits and Vegetables: A Case Study of the Flavr Savr Tomato. ress. p. 288. 2. * Stone, Brad. "The Flavr Savr Arrives" (http://www accessexcellence.org/RC/AB/BA/Flavr_Savr_Arrives. php). Retrieved December 29, 2012. »@ © Weasel, Lisa H. 2009. Food Fray. Amacom Publishing 4, “Martineau, Belinda. 2001. First Fruit: The Creation of the Flavr Savr Tomato and the Birth of Biotech Food. McGraw-Hill hpedonwhipedia ocghwitiFlar_Save 28ears Faw Sas - Wikipodia, the ee ereylopaa 5. * Charles, Dan. 2001. Lords of The Harvest. Perseus Publishing. 6. * Center for Environmental Risk Assessment, "GM Crop Database:Tomato” (http://cera-gme.org/index. php? evideode=8chstI DXCode=I | &gType=8& AbbrCode=&alCode=&stCode=&colDCode=Saction=gm_crop_database &mode-Submit). International Life Sciences Institute. 7. * A puree genius at his work" (http/wwrw.timeshighereducation,co.uk/story.asp? storyCode=1083 13§ioncode=26). Times Higher Education, 1998-07-17. Retrieved 2010-08. 8. * House of Commons Science and Technology Committee (May 18, 1999). "Scientific Advisory System Genetically Modified Foods" (http://www publications. parliament. uk/pa/em!99899/emselect/emsctech/286/28605.htm). Retrieved May 4, 2011. 9. * The case of the FLAVR SAVR tomato (http:/iucanr. org/repository/CAO/landingpage.cfm? article=ca.v054n04p6&fultext=yes) G. Bruening & J.M. Lyons, California Agriculture 54(4):6-7 External links = The Flavr Savr Arrives (httpziwww.accessexcellence.orgRC/AB/BA/Flavr_Savr_Arrives. html) Article from Access Excellence (http/iwww.accessexcellenee.org) = "The transgenic tomato" (hitpyswww.public.iastate,edw~rhetoric/10SH16/cofp/tmrcofp.html) "Purpose: To show a general reading audience (perhaps readers of a popular science magazine) that genetically engineered crops are needed and safe to consume by discussing the development of a successful genetically engineered crop, the FLAVR SAVR tomato." = hitpy/www. biotech jastate.edwbiotech_info_series/bio8 himl#anchor259057 Retrieved from "http//en. wikipedia. org/wlindex. php title-Flavr_Savr8oklid—555428750" Categories: Genetically modified organisms in agriculture | Biotechnology Genetic engineering in the United States = This page was last modified on 16 May 2013 at 22:06. = Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply. By using this site, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Wikipedia® is a registered trademark ofthe Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization. hpedonwhipedia ocghwitiFlar_Save 38