This is being presented as a good thing but I'm not so sure. The Daily Mail reports that researchers at the National Institute of Plant Genome Research in New Dehli have discovered that surpressing two enzymes, known as A-Man and B-Hex, in tomatoes can extend their shelf-life to upwards of 45 days. I suppose this is good news for farmers who lose chunks of their harvest due to rotting but on the other hand, these genetically modified seeds/organisms will undoubtedly be controlled by some corporation (we hate), will be expensive for farmers, fuel the industrialized food market, and their use could lead to tougher tomatoes with further diminished taste and nutritional value. Ugh.
Showing posts with label GM. Show all posts
Showing posts with label GM. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
GM tomato boasts 45 days of freshness
This is being presented as a good thing but I'm not so sure. The Daily Mail reports that researchers at the National Institute of Plant Genome Research in New Dehli have discovered that surpressing two enzymes, known as A-Man and B-Hex, in tomatoes can extend their shelf-life to upwards of 45 days. I suppose this is good news for farmers who lose chunks of their harvest due to rotting but on the other hand, these genetically modified seeds/organisms will undoubtedly be controlled by some corporation (we hate), will be expensive for farmers, fuel the industrialized food market, and their use could lead to tougher tomatoes with further diminished taste and nutritional value. Ugh.
Monday, August 11, 2008
On genetically modified food...
Paul Roberts, author of The End of Oil and The End of Food recently wrote a great essay for Slate: Food Fight: The four barriers to the genetically modified–food revolution—and why no one is talking about them.
Check it out here
He addresses the fact that genetic modification (GM for short) research is focused on "Western cash crops," corn and soy, instead of crops that are truly relevant to global food security. Also addressed: seed saving, the expense of the GM seeds and the technology required to develop them, the politics involved, and other global and public concerns.
Check it out here
He addresses the fact that genetic modification (GM for short) research is focused on "Western cash crops," corn and soy, instead of crops that are truly relevant to global food security. Also addressed: seed saving, the expense of the GM seeds and the technology required to develop them, the politics involved, and other global and public concerns.
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