Bio-engineered Foods

Abraham Shafi submitted an article about Mutant Food at the UC Davis Plant Transformation Facility you can read the full post on Vice entitled THE NUCLEOTIDAL WAVE

Here are some choice excerpts + pretty pics:

The transgenic broccoli plant on the left has been infused with something called Bt protein, which makes it taste like crap to insects. It’s why the specimen is untouched while the one on the right was thoroughly munched even though they were both grown at the same location. This could lead to the end of pesticides. The golden apples contain an inhibitor of the enzyme that normally makes them bruise after sitting on the shelf too long. (PHOTO BY JAMES ORLANDO)

These transgenic potatoes were engineered by USDA scientist Li Li to contain carotenoids, which are good for vision and keep your skin from turning into alligator leather. It’s also why their insides are orange. (PHOTO BY JAMES ORLANDO)

As of today, none of the fruits and vegetables that germinate at the UC Davis lab can be sold by an American supermarket or bought by an American consumer.

However the FDA has given some transgenic crops its official “Generally Recognized as Safe”…

Thanks to the google I was able to find the US Food & Drug Association list of Bioengineered Foods as of 2/2009

What’s fascinating/scary in this list of approved crops are the ones that increase “natural growth” as opposed to containing resistance or tolerance to diseases.

Examples:

• Soybean Increased levels of monounsaturated fatty acid (oleic) and decreased levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids (linoleic and linolenic)

• Corn Increased lysine level for use in animal feed
  • Crazy Aside: Lysine Price Fixing Conspiracy