Australian Stonefruit Grower Magazine Issue 2 August 2016 | Page 33

News

Genetic modification
Pretty much everything we eat and drink has been genetically modified. By this, we mean that it has been
transformed from the original wild species into a plant (or animal) which is more productive, sweeter,
tastier, bigger, redder and/or healthier than its wild ancestor.
All of the horticultural crops grown in Australia have been modified over time using selective breeding
techniques.
However, this is somewhat hit and miss and, in
the case of orchard trees, can take a long time
to achieve the desired outcome.
Gene technology is a way to speed up the
process by inserting exactly the gene you
want into the plant that is to be improved.
This may be a gene that is already there
in the plant, but not well expressed. For
example, adding a second copy of a gene that
synthesises anthocyanin could increase red
colour development.
It might also be a gene which is already there
but which is turned around – “antisensed” – so
that the two genes neutralise each other and
are not expressed. Using the above example,
adding an “antisense” gene for anthocyanin
synthesis could reduce or prevent red colour
development, resulting in a white fruit.

Sharka resistant plums.
Photo: S. Bauer, USDA Agricultural Service

Genes can also be inserted from different
species. This where we hear about luminous pigs and antifreeze tomatoes, genetically modified organisms
(GMOs) that would be difficult or impossible to achieve through conventional breeding.
Discussion of these types of GMOs is often emotional and highly political. From a scientific point of
view, there is usually no reason to believe that consuming these foods is any riskier than consuming the
same products modified through conventional breeding. In fact, if the modification reduces the need for
chemical pesticides, then these products may be safer for both humans, and the environment.
However, debate on this issue continues. Interbreeding of GMOs with wild relatives is certainly a concern,
as is the potential for introducing unknown allergens or producing other unforseen effects.
It will be interesting to see how well consumers accept HoneySweet plums. We think USA consumers are
used to GMO’s, yet major stonefruit supplier Mountain View Farm includes “GMO Free” as a key part of
its marketing. The arguments about the rights and wrongs of GMOs matter little if consumers don’t buy
the product. It may depend, in part, on whether (and how) they are required to be labelled for sale.
But it is just as likely to depend on whether they are a good to eat.

summerfruit.com.au

august 2016 | Australian Stonefruit Grower

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