GM Tomatoes: Can these 'Long-lasting Tomatoes" be better?

Tomato, a type of vegetable which we consume on a regular basis. We can find them in our salads, soups and pasta. In the present age, vegetables and fruits are not commercially cultivated merely for the local market, but are intended for shipping over long distances to nation-wide and international markets. Ripe fruits and vegetables have soft skins and can be easily be damaged during handling and processing thus they might rot by the time it reaches the stall.

In order to counter such problems, the first genetically engineered tomato was created in 1992 and was approved to be sold in the 1994. The tomato was known as ‘Flavor Savr’ and the motive of creating ‘Flavor Savr’ was to create a tomato that was long-lasting and tasty.

(n.d.). Retrieved February 8, 2015, from http://www.biofortified.org/wp-content/uploads//2010/02/Screen-shot-2010-02-06-at-13.48.42.png

Pros of ‘Flavor Savr’

·         Farmers spend less money producing more food

·         Reduce amount of pesticides and herbicides

When 'Flavor Savr' was announced to the world, everyone was curious and wanted to try it out but shortly, ‘Flavor Savr’ tomatoes ceased as they were unprofitable. However, this does not meant the end of GM tomatoes.

 Another company, Zeneca, backed by Campbell Soups would their GM tomato puree in the UK. The GM purees were sold at a lower price than competing non-GM purees. Many people support the Zeneca purees and for a few years, sales were really good but soon after, concerns about the dangers of genetically modified foods cropped up and many people are getting more health conscious and the safety issues grew louder, thus the product was withdrawn from the market.

(n.d.). Retrieved February 8, 2015, from http://www.ncbe.reading.ac.uk/ncbe/gmfood/Resources/sainstompuree.jpg

Cons of GM tomatoes overall

·         Accidentally created super weed which is resistant to the same herbicides the tomatoes are

·         Super weed kills everything around them and could kill the tomatoes which will result in loss of an excess amount of money

·         Plants might produce their own toxin which humans might unknowingly consume

(n.d.). Retrieved February 8, 2015, from http://worldonline.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/img/photos/2011/09/19/superweed.jpg

Currently, there are no GM tomatoes available for sales as the FDA(Food & Drug Administration) didn’t approve it and many people might not want to consume GM food.

Although GM tomatoes aren’t on sale currently, I strongly feel that GM tomatoes are still one of the best solution to provide long-lasting tomatoes as they will come in useful especially when there is no food and we have to store our food for a very long time. Do you agree with what I said? Drop down a comment or shout out at the chat box!


Flavor Savr - the Genetically Engineered Tomato. (2012, March 18). Retrieved February 7, 2015, from http://www.brighthub.com/science/genetics/articles/27236.aspx
The Flavr Savr Arrives. (n.d.). Retrieved February 7, 2015, from http://www.accessexcellence.org/RC/AB/BA/Flavr_Savr_Arrives.php
 What Ever Happened to the Flavr Savr Genetically-Engineered Tomato? (n.d.). Retrieved February 7, 2015, from http://www.tomatocasual.com/2008/02/28/what-ever-happened-to-the-flavr-savr-genetically-engineered-tomato/
Detailed History. (n.d.). Retrieved February 7, 2015, from http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/syllabi/689plantbreeding/Tissue Culture Applications/Detailed History.htm
History of GMOS. (n.d.). Retrieved February 7, 2015, from http://americanradioworks.publicradio.org/features/gmos_india/history.html