Gardeners can grow a genetically modified purple tomato made with snapdragon DNA
A genetically modified Purple Tomato, rich in anthocyanin from snapdragon genes, offers health benefits like blueberries. It's the first GMO marketed to U.S. home gardeners, aiming to change perceptions on GMO foods.
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A genetically modified purple tomato, named the Purple Tomato, has been developed by Norfolk Plant Sciences using genes from a snapdragon flower. This tomato contains high levels of anthocyanin, a health-promoting compound found in blueberries and blackberries. The Purple Tomato is the first GMO crop directly marketed to home gardeners in the U.S., aiming to change perceptions about genetically modified foods. The tomato, with as much anthocyanin as blueberries per weight, offers potential health benefits like anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory effects. The creator, Cathie Martin, integrated snapdragon genes into the tomato to enhance its nutritional value. This development reflects a trend towards nutrient-dense GMO foods, contrasting with earlier GMOs focused on staple crops. The Purple Tomato's introduction to consumers is seen as a way to make GMO technology more accessible and demystify it. While concerns exist around GMO consumption, studies have not shown any harm from consuming GMO foods. The Purple Tomato represents a new chapter in the GMO debate, emphasizing the potential for genetic modifications to enhance food quality and nutrition.
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15 commentsOn the other hand probably the gen is harmless. I assume that everybody ate it yet for decades on blue tomatoes without growing a second head. The snapdragon was moved to the family Plantaginaceae, that as a whole is not great-not terrible in terms of chemistry defenses, but is still a relative of the foxglove that definitely is very dangerous.
Wild black tomatoes with black flesh are poisonous normally, so this move is a little like selecting a white carrot and losing the advantage that "if is orange, is not hemlock".
Unfortunately there are special interest groups who have twisted public opinion.
Over 1 million kids die every year due to Vitamin A deficiency. Some of these groups are trying to ban Golden Rice, GMO rice infused with viatamin A (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/article/2024/may/25/...).
https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=c050f213-54bd...
Do humans who eat more blueberries than tomatoes live longer?
Second thought: given all the ways we have to extend mice lifespans by 30% I'm surprised we don't have effectively immortal mice yet.
They’re a seed company that’s explicitly anti-GMO, and came out with a nearly identical tomato to Norfolks. At first they doubled down and said they’d tested for gene markers and were certain their variety was non-GMO, but eventually they pulled it from the catalogue after being contacted by Norfolk.
It comes from the same anti-science crowd that pushes things like crystals, sound healing, raiki, and astrology.
Yes, I live in the Boulder, CO area, how did you guess?
FTA:
> Of course, some people have raised health concerns around eating GMOs, but studies since these foods were introduced three decades ago do not show any harm. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration concludes there is not a health risk to eating GM foods currently on the market.
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