. . . . A third Arctic Apple cultivar (Fuji) is currently going through the USDA deregulation . . . Apparently the public comments to USDA have been overwhelmingly positive. . . .
I’ve copied below the text of the comment I submitted to USDA. . . today. If you would like to comment you can do so at this link: https://www.regulations.gov/comment?D=APHIS-2016-0043-0001
“I am writing in full support of . . . deregulation of the Arctic Fuji . . . as an agricultural scientist, as a long-term observer of crop biotechnology (40 years), as a consumer, and as a grandfather. . . . The “genetic contamination” issue is meaningless for a crop like apples . . . which is vegetatively propagated and which is commonly pollinated with crab apple. . . .
What this trait does provide is a combination of food waste reduction and . . . consumer options such as full flavor and aroma sliced apples, no-sulfite dried apples and, use in smoothies etc. . . .
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. . . I believe that this trait demonstrates that even a small commercial entity can navigate both the technological and regulatory path to biotech product development. The vast majority of the work even with this cultivar was done by a company with around 8 employees! . . . an important precedent.
The GLP aggregated and excerpted this blog/article to reflect the diversity of news, opinion and analysis. Read full, original post: Another Biotech Apple That Can Help Change The Conversation About “GMO Crops”