A genetically-modified apple is coming to market in Canada,
fuelled by a $41-million deal and approval from Health Canada.
The Health Canada approval came a few weeks after United
States gave the genetic change its approval.
British Columbia Fruit Growers Association and a group of
growers in Quebec have opposed approval of the new apples, not because they are
in any way unsafe, but because it might scare off foreign buyers of all
Canadian apples.
The apple has had a gene added so it produces fewer of the enzymes
that result in browning when an apple is sliced.
The
research and development has been done by Okanagan Specialty Fruits (OSF).
Now Intrexon,
an American company involved in synthetic biology, has bought the technology for $31 million worth of shares and $10 million cash.
"Over the
next couple of years, we will be working hard with our grower partners to get
as many Arctic trees in the ground as we can," OSF president Neal Carter
wrote on his company blog
Friday.
Two
varieties are leading the charge – Arctic granny and Arctic golden.
Health
Canada says the new apples have been through a thorough scientific analysis and
deemed to be safe.
"It
was determined that the changes made to the apple did not pose a greater risk
to human health than apples currently available on the Canadian market,"
Health Canada' says on its website.
The
research found no evidence that the Arctic apple would impact allergies or that
its nutritional value was in any way altered.
"The
science behind the Arctic apple is quite simple," Health Canada states.
"A gene was introduced into the Arctic apple that results in a reduction
in the levels of enzymes that make apples turn brown when sliced. In every
other way, the Arctic apple tree and its fruit are identical to any other
apple."
