Categories: HealthNutrition

5 GMOs on the Brink of Approval

It’s always scary to think of the GMOs we may be consuming without much notice. But what’s scarier is a few up-and-coming GMOs that are this close to approval by the USDA and the FDA.

Okanagan Specialty Fruits Arctic Apple

The apple that does not brown after it’s been cut. That’s all thanks to the limited expression of an enzyme called polyphenol oxidase.

This particular apple has already been deregulated, but there are major concerns over the modified apple’s pest resistance, meaning it may require more pesticides than the typical apple.

AquaBouty AquaAdvantage Salmon

Better known as “Frankenfish,” this genetically-altered creature is made from the genes of two different types of salmon – Chinook Salmon and the Atlantic Salmon.

AquaBounty claims the fish grow twice as fast as wild salmon, and they’ll be raised in a land-based facility. They are still awaiting approval from the FDA.

J.R. Simplot Innate Potato

This GE potato has been specifically designed to resist a detrimental fungus, late blight, which caused the Irish potato famine in the 1800s. This Russet Burbank potato also comes with reduced browning susceptibility.

The USDA has already approved a similar Simplot potato, so this one won’t be too far behind.

Monsanto Corn

The USDA is considering two different varieties of Monsanto Corn. One will stave off corn rootworm, which has become increasingly resistant to the usual method of simply rotating crops each year. The other claims to increase ear biomass size, which would increase yield.

When it comes to rootworm, the current crop of GE corn is creating insects that are immune to the technology, which is why they’re in need of a more complex GMO technology.

Dow AgroSciences Cotton

This plant is designed to resist the spraying of powerful herbicides. The company behind the GE cotton says superweeds are harder to get rid of, so with the altered cotton, they can spray their hearts out and the cotton won’t be affected.

Approval for the GE cotton is still pending.

Jessica

Call it passion, or maybe curiosity -- whatever it is Jessica is fueled by, it's not slowing down any time soon. From the get-go, she knew that her desire to represent brands with a purposeful story was a strong one, and after graduating with a degree in public relations from SDSU, followed by a solid stint at a lifestyle PR agency, she landed in a role with a company whose story outshines the rest (hint hint, that's here). She's openly obsessed with the outdoors, reveling in cycling races, hiking adventures and, most commonly, brunching on patios. She is known for always taking the "scenic route" -- especially for fish taco pit-stops along the way -- and makes a solid effort to keep her schedule jam-packed with activities and friends, which keeps her on her toes.