Canadian company Okanagan Specialty Fruits has developed two varieties of genetically modified apples that do not darken after being cut into pieces.
The varieties were named "Arctic apples"
Soon, authorized government departments will begin testing the new fruit for health safety, but for now, a wave of rejection is rising in the North American continent. According to a Canadian poll, 69% of the 1,500 respondents opposed government approval of GM apples.
In the States, the American Apple Association also does not welcome the appearance of such a product on sale - albeit under a plausible economic pretext: this, they say, will cast a shadow on apples grown in the USA.
The manufacturer, of course, assures that his apples are not only completely harmless, but will also help correct the negative trend in the US market, where sales of fresh apples fell by 20% over the past year. Representatives of the company note that, according to their observations, in many situations people avoid taking a whole apple, but prefer to treat themselves to small pieces, but only if they have not had time to brown. In addition, many large distribution networks refuse to sell apples that have noticeable brown spots resulting from the blows, which is either additional losses for farmers or higher prices for “perfect looking” apples for the end consumer.
The actual process of genetic modification of apples was developed in Australia by the same scientific group that has already done something similar with potatoes. Its essence is in placing an additional copy of a gene that activates a self-defense mechanism, which, in turn, blocks the work of another gene responsible for the production of polyphenol oxidase, an enzyme that causes brown color.
Okanagan Specialty Fruits announces that once the GM fruit receives the coveted certification, it will be marketed under the Arctic Apples brand. But what really should upset the high-tech Canadian producer is opposition from another American alliance, the Northwest Horticultural Partnership, which controls about 60% of the US apple market. Representatives of this association said that they, of course, do not believe that GM apples are dangerous, but they believe that it would be desirable for the industry as a whole to maintain the old image of the apple - a natural healthy product.
By the way, contrary to popular belief about the dominance of GM foods in the United States, if Canadians manage to get permission from regulators, then their genetically modified apples will become the first product of this kind sold directly to consumers. (GM fruits and vegetables have been on the American market for nearly 20 years as ingredients in food and processed foods.)
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