PPDL Picture of the Week
June 26, 2017
GMOrange?
Janna Beckerman, Professor,Botany and Plant Pathology, Purdue University
On
May 16th, The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) confirmed that US
flower growers were to destroy numerous petunia varieties because they were
genetically engineered (GE) to produce more vivid colors. Although the flowers
pose no risk to anyone (except apparently, themselves), or the environment,
regulations require genetically modified organisms (GMO) to have special
permits to be sold in the United States. The USDA continued, stating that
“consumers who may have purchased GE petunias need take no action,” and that
petunias also “have no sexually compatible wild relatives in the United States,
are not plant pests and are not listed as noxious weeds.” The horticulture
industry has moved quickly, destroying millions of plants. This is a voluntary
response, and as a result, the plants are still available. You can find a list
of these plants here:
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/biotechnology/downloads/petunia_varieties.pdf
For
the short term, the industry is working to remove the plants. In the long-term,
hopefully, we will have better policies in place to address grower risks, but
more importantly, consumer concerns about genetically modified plants, such as
these gorgeous petunias. This is a learning
moment, if people are willing to listen. To learn more about GMO plants, and
their role in horticulture and agriculture, click here:
http://fafdl.org/gmobb/gmos-an-introduction/