11.06. 2014
Genetically modified apples in the US and in Canada
Genetically modified applies are about to be approved for sale in Canada and the United States. Canadian developer Okanagan Specialty Fruits announced that US approval was imminent and that Canadian approval was to follow shortly.
The company has used gene silencing to turn down the expression of polyphenol oxidase (PPO) in Golden Delicious and Granny Smith apples. The enzyme reacts with the polyphenols contained in apples when cell membranes are destroyed, e.g. as a result of cuts or pressure, which leads to browning. The genetically modified apples (Events GD743 and GS784, trademark “Arctic® Apple”) produce too little PPO, which makes them look fresh longer. The developers also claim that the suppressed enzymatic processing of antioxidative polyphenols has a positive effect on human health.
According to Okanagan Specialty Fruits, a small number of apples from field trials will be sold this autumn; while commercial growing of 25,000 trees is planned for spring 2015.
In terms of molecular biology, the two genetically modified types of apple can be detected with the help of screening for the 35S promoter, the NOS terminator and the nptll marker gene (kanamycin resistance).