The Flavr Savr tomato first hit grocery stores in 1994.
To the layman, it looked like any other produce fresh from the farm: plump and bulbous, with a rich, ruby hue. But it was hiding a secret. Thanks to a carefully crafted genetic modification of its seeds, the aptly-titled Flavr Savr was able to stay ripe much longer than regular tomatoes.
Fast forward 20 years, and genetically modified organisms (GMOs), just like the Flavr Savr, are front and center in an ongoing debate about the future of agriculture. But many questions remain: Are GMOs safe to eat? Should mandatory labeling be required in all grocery stores? And are GMOs a sustainable alternative to organic foods?
The Flavor Savr, the world’s first genetically engineered food approved for human consumption, hit grocery stores in 1994.
Image: Flickr, Corey Burger
In an effort to clear up the confusion, we’ve busted four of the most common misconceptions surrounding GMOs.
It’s part of a new Mashable series called Debunked, where we’ll tackle the misconceptions that matter most to you in culture, tech, education and beyond.
Any topics you’d like to see debunked? Let us know in the comments below.
Myth 1: GMOs are a new concept
Truth: Farmers have been genetically modifying crops for years.
The idea of “selective breeding” — breeding plants or animals for specific, ideal traits — has been practiced for ages. GMOs, while different, are similar in concept.
Most GMOs today contain just a single engineered gene. The first official GMO patent was released in 1980 after a court case between a genetics engineer at General Electric and the U.S. Patent Office. The case, centered around a bacterium that was able to slurp up crude oil spills, was settled by a 5-4 Supreme Court ruling.
In 1997, three years after the introduction of the Flavr Savr, the European Union ruled in favor of mandatory labeling on all GMO products, including animal feed. The United States is still divided on the issue: The Wall Street Journal reports that, as of 2014, more than 35 bills pushing for required labeling have been introduced in 20 states. Polls show that more than 90% of Americans would prefer GMO labeling in grocery stores.
For now, though, we can all rest assured knowing that GMOs take up more than 60 million acres of cropland across the world.
As of 2013, more than 60 million crops throughout the world contained some form of genetically enhanced seed.
Image: Flickr, Sundaram Ramaswamy
Myth 2: GMOs are harmful to your health
Truth: For now, scientists and government regulators have concluded that genetically modified foods pose no safety issues.
The seeds in GMOs are altered with more ideal plant DNA, so they’re still as digestible as their untouched counterparts.
But while they’re not necessarily harmful, GMOs shouldn’t be viewed as nutritional improvements, either. If anything, nutritional value remains the same among GMO foods and traditionally bred plants.
Myth 3: There’s a GMO variety of everything
Truth: Not yet.
Plenty of modified versions of plants, such as corn, soybean, cotton, squash and papaya, do exist.
But other genetically modified foods, such as potatoes, tomatoes and rice, are not yet commercially available, even though they are approved by government regulators. You can find a full list of availabilities here.
A protestor carries a sign in a march against agricultural biotechnology company Monsanto in May 2014.
Image: Flickr, Die Grunen Karnten
Myth 4: GMO seeds are sterile
Truth: Not entirely.
Like traditional plants, GMO seeds will grow and form germs.
This misconception that these are sterile is likely tied to the “terminator gene” — a controversial technology that can allegedly make a plant produce sterile seeds.
Monsanto, the world’s leading producer of genetically modified seeds, owns the patent to the terminator gene, but the company has promised never to use it.
BONUS: 5 Common Evolution Myths, Debunked
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