Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
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Responding to a devastating papaya virus epidemic in the mid-1990s, researchers at
Cornell University and at the University of Hawaii developed two virus-resistant
varieties of GE papaya. First commercial plantings were made in 1998. The new
varieties were successful in resisting a viral epidemic and were planted on more
than 30 percent of Hawaii's papaya acreage in 1999.
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Such as resistance to drought, frost, salinity; more efficient use of nitrogen.
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Drought tolerant corn approved for commercial use in 2011; expected to be
introduced in 2012.
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Modified lignin content.
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Includes delayed ripening (fruits and vegetables with longer shelf life); protein
content, carbohydrate content, fatty acid content, micronutrient content, oil
content, modified starch content, flavor and texture (fruits and vegetables), color
(cotton, flowers), fiber properties (cotton), gluten content (wheat), naturally
decaffeinated (coffee), and low phytase.
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High oleic soybeans.
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FlavrSavr tomato genetically engineered to remain on the vine longer and ripen to
full flavor after harvest was pulled out of the market because of harvesting and
marketing problems.
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Includes increased vitamin, iron, beta-carotene (antioxidant), lycopene (anti-cancer),
amino acid content; low-calorie sugar; hypoallergenic crops; antibodies, vaccines.
Industrial uses (such as specialty machine oils).
Sources: ISB (2013); Fernandez-Cornejo and Caswell (2006); National Research
Council (2010); USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
Determination of Nonregulated Status
Nonregulated status allows seed companies to commercialize the GE
seeds that they have developed. After successful field testing, technology
providers petition APHIS for a determination of non-regulated status. If, after
review, APHIS determines that the organism (i.e., GE plant) is unlikely to
pose a plant pest risk, the organism is deregulated (see box, “Regulatory
Oversight”) and can be moved and planted without APHIS oversight. As of
September 2013, APHIS had received 145 petitions for deregulation—
compared with 103 petitions received in 2005—and had granted 96 (31 were
withdrawn, 17 were pending, and 1 was incomplete) (Information Systems for
Biotechnology, 2013). For corn, 30 petitions were granted nonregulated status;
15 were granted for cotton; 11 for tomatoes; 12 for soybeans; 8 for
canola/rapeseed; 5 for potatoes; 3 for sugarbeet; 2 each for papaya, rice, and
squash; and 1 each for alfalfa, plum, rose, tobacco, flax, and chicory. By trait,
as of September 2013, 43 petitions were granted nonregulated status for
