Genetically modified "Innate Potato" approved by USDA

Leifer

Senior Member.
Lots of concerned citizens are worried about a new (USDA approved) GM potato, the so-called "Innate Potato".....which has been approved for production, sale, and use.....in the USA.

Potato-300x240.jpg


This GM variety of potato, has been developed to include:
Reduced sugars – under certain conditions – provide consistent golden color, providing ideal taste and texture qualities. Reduced levels of asparagine decrease the potential formation of acrylamide, a chemical compound that occurs when potatoes, wheat, coffee, and other foods are cooked at high temperatures.
http://www.biofortified.org/2013/05/qa-with-haven-baker-innate-potatoes/
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What is different about this GM variety, is that it is modified using only genes of other potato varieties....and no "outside organisms". Nor does it include or permit or require special qualities that enable it to be sprayed/treated with agricultural chemicals. It is grown as any other potato.....by any potato grower.

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/brs/fedregister/BRS_20141110b.pdf

The marketing of this new potato has been, that is actually a "safer" potato, in that it is claimed to reduce a cancer-causing by-product of high-heat potato (fry) cooking (acrylamide), and that it is also more resistant to "bruising".....thereby eliminating waste (throw-away) of the typical potatoes now in use.

What's also of interest, is that it has no relation to Monsanto, or any of the other companies typically associated with GM food development.......though in the comments of social media posts....."Monsanto" is often mentioned, and the new potato is demonized because it is genetically modified.

Here is a good article on the new potato:
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/08/b...ied-potato-from-simplot-approved-by-usda.html
 
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Sounds like a great breed. I for one try to avoid potatoes due to high carbohydrate levels but if this is low sugar, let's bring it back in!

Amoung the other, less delicious, benefits too (reduced cancer risks).

Will keep an eye out for detractors in the usual anti-GM places.
 
McDonald's (a major customer of J. R. Simplot, developer of the "Innate" potato) has announced that it will not be using the product. It's an interesting situation for McD's; if they use the new potato, they tacitly acknowledge the potentially-carcinogenic properties of their products. And then there's the anti-GMO sentiment among consumers...
 
McDonald's (a major customer of J. R. Simplot, developer of the "Innate" potato) has announced that it will not be using the product. It's an interesting situation for McD's; if they use the new potato, they tacitly acknowledge the potentially-carcinogenic properties of their products. And then there's the anti-GMO sentiment among consumers...


The carcinogenic substance in this potato is , iirc, in ALL potatoes.
This is potato that could, imo, have been produced 'naturally' by crossbreeding but it would have taken longer and more expensively than simply inserting the genes from various varieties.
 
Yeeup. Transgenesis is a wonderful thing. But can you imagine the ad campaign if they did adopt the Innate potato? Ronald McDonald saying, "Now with less carcinogens!"
 
Yeeup. Transgenesis is a wonderful thing. But can you imagine the ad campaign if they did adopt the Innate potato? Ronald McDonald saying, "Now with less carcinogens!"
Why even mention it? It would apply to all potatoes from McD's to Buger King, to frozen fries in supermarkets to those you grow yourself in your own backyard, they all have the same make up.
Might as well just tell people not to eat potatoes or tomatoes or a whole list of other foods that have always contained nasty bits. Toss those apples in the garbage.
 
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