As mentioned before, the only new component inserted into the Flavr Savr tomato is the Kanr gene, Kanamycin (antibiotic)-resistant gene. Its function is to isolate or identify the cells that have the inserted antisense gene from other non-Kanr gene by being able to grow in a kanamycin environment.
Subsequently,Who is getting the most benefit from GMOs?
Today, those who directly see the most benefits from GMOs are farmers and agricultural companies. As consumers, we probably don’t perceive direct benefits to ourselves just by picking the product up off the shelf (this may change in the future if the nutritional properties of plants are enhanced).
Keeping this in consideration,What is the function of polygalacturonase in Tomatoes?
The FLAVR SAVR tomato was developed through the use of antisense RNA to regulate the expression of the enzyme polygalacturonase (PG) in ripening tomato fruit. This enzyme is one of the most abundant proteins in ripe tomato fruit and has long been thought to be responsible for softening in ripe tomatoes.
Additionally,How does the Flavr Savr tomato ripen on the vine?
The tomatoes are then sprayed with ethylene, their natural ripening agent, in order to turn the tomatoes red. Flavr Savr tomatoes are designed so they can ripen on the vine longer while maintaining firmer skin, thus producing a fuller flavoured tomato on the supermarket shelves.
When was the Flavr Savr tomato taken off the market?
It was withdrawn from the market in 1999. The Flavr Savr tomato isn’t just a footnote in GMO history. It was a turning point, which showed that even when a product was sold at a cut rate price, consumers were simply not prepared to gamble with the unknown consequences of eating GM foods.