Making fruit edible, one genetically modified apple at a time
What are Arctic Apples?
Science Avenue is often written as a result of a suggestion. Owing to the fact that the whole point of this column is to learn – and simultaneously educate others – about interesting scientific paradigms, it should come as no surprise that Science Avenue will talk about branded science from time-to-time.
This week’s column looks at Arctic Apples, a trademarked product of Okanagan Specialty Fruits (OSF) to find out precisely what makes their apples so special. To those concerned about The Ontarion advertising or printing native advertising, please note that we are in no way associated with OSF. I merely feel that genetically modified foods are interesting.
Answering the difficult question of “What” has been made far easier this issue. Arctic Apples are genetically modified apples whose browning genes have been shut off. As a result, when bitten, bruised, or cut, Arctic Apples allegedly do not brown.
Okanagan Specialty Food’s. Arctic Apples are a scientific, genetically-modified marvel. The apples do not brown, meaning bruising, cutting, or biting does not produce an unattractive fruit.
How do Arctic Apples Work?
Apples brown as a result of an enzyme that activates during bruising, cutting, or biting. Polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and phenolics undergo a chemical reaction that results in apple browning. To prevent the browning process from occurring in Arctic Apples, the OSF team found a way to silence the PPO genes.
According to OSF, “modern science tools” are used to reduce the expression of the four genes that contribute to the production of PPO. This is done in a petri dish in a laboratory before a sample is planted in an orchard for continued growth.
It is important to mention that although Arctic Apples don’t undergo enzymatic browning, they do rot. Therefore, these are not foods incapable of succumbing to normal degradation.
Why are Arctic Apples important?
It must be outright stated that Arctic Apples are genetically modified organisms. I mean this in the best way possible, and not as a criticism of OSF’s plans on expanding their product line. Arctic Apples are a genetically modified organism in every sense of the term, and they are important precisely because they act as the perfect example of why humans need GMOs in their lives.
Arctic Apples are safe to consume, and contain a minor genetic difference than non-modified apples. Furthermore, the presence of modern science, compared to the kind of artificial selection that agrarians and farmers have relied on since antiquity, lends credence to the notion that GMOs are not harmful foods loaded with deadly chemicals.
As such, arctic apples are important because they serve as the perfect endorsement for GMOs.
What is the future of Arctic Apples?
Once Arctic Apples have been approved for public retail, OSF plans on continuing their research and perfecting the process used to grow the fruit. OSF joked on their website that their next big experiment will be focused on eliminating the need for seeds to grow their fruits.
However, the future of Arctic Apples truly is the future of all foods. In the past, humans have relied on whatever processes available to ensure that foods stay fresh longer, taste better, are easier to grow and cultivate, and are more enjoyable to eat. This is precisely where agriculture – the growth and regulation of crops for consumption – arose.
OSF’s research – and the research of other similar organizations – marks the next step in humanity’s understanding of agriculture. Furthermore, OSF’s research marks humanity’s continued foray into the genetic manipulation of food for the betterment of our society.
As always, I’m excited for the truly absurd possibilities of scientific research. Apples that don’t brown might not seem like a particularly necessary mark of progress, but OSF might actually have some of the most progressive steps in preventing the unnecessary disposal of fruits and vegetables. When we throw away fruits and vegetables because they’ve gone bad, we’re often dismissing these foods simply based on appearance. Brown apples haven’t gone bad, they’re just engaging in a normal enzymatic process, and look less pleasant. If consumers can be convinced to hold onto fresh fruits and vegetables for just a moment longer, perhaps we can finally start working on the growing garbage problem our society has created for itself.
Moreover, perhaps we’ll be able to work on transporting foods to hungry mouths in faraway parts of the world. After all, if fruits and vegetables look fresh when they arrive at their destination, perhaps individuals will be more likely to consume them.