Would you eat a Genetically Modified Potato?

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) have long been experimented with and studied by scientists, resulting in beneficial yet sometimes peculiar observations. Take, for example,

potatoes. Potatoes are genetically modified to withstand insect pests and diseases. This

innovation will fit the needs of consumers, as well as sellers. Potatoes are a good source for

B-group vitamins, particularly B3, B6, and B9. It will be extremely helpful to the market to

preserve it by infusing oxidants that will prevent brown stains and rotting.

Similarly, research has been conducted by the Simplot company, giving the potatoes two new traits. When a potato gets bruised, it has a gene that causes it to bleed. That gene has been silenced in these new GMO potatoes, making it impossible to express. Although the potato is still injured, the signs and symptoms are hidden from view—and the consumer. RNA interference (RNAi), a gene-silencing technique, was used to create the GMO potato. This genetic engineering technology produces a potato that hides rather than prevents blackspot bruise symptoms. While browning the potato does not affect its quality, it frequently results in food being thrown away unnecessarily because people feel browned food is damaged. With this, the amount of asparagine, a naturally occurring molecule, can also be reduced. When exposed to intense heat, asparagine can transform into acrylamide, a possible carcinogen. Nutrition scientists have claimed that lengthy exposure to these elements may cause cancer. Reducing it through the production of GMO potatoes will significantly minimize the risks of developing diseases.

Like any other GMO crop, GMO potatoes are designed to be healthier and more convenient than normal ones. With modified traits, it can offer twice the amount of nutrients and benefits at an affordable price. Although the potatoes may look perfectly healthy, they can still contain fungal or bacterial pathogens. Toxins and allergens are common among these infections. Fumonisin, AAL-toxin, tentoxin, Rhizoctonia toxin, and Verticillium toxin are only a few examples of fungal toxins that can build up in hidden infections. It's also possible that allergies like Alt a 1 have accumulated. Worse, they have the potential to induce a variety of health problems, including nausea, vomiting, and neurological consequences. However, if more studies are undertaken, we may be able to avoid this. So, would you eat a genetically modified potato?

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At the age of 13, author Earianne Jayne Ogatis has already written and published various fan fiction stories and poems on a popular storytelling platform called Wattpad. She also won an ample amount of journalism awards during her elementary years. From then, she envisioned her dream career. Or so she thought. Now, Earianne is a seventeen (17) year-old STEM student and a passionate youth advocate from the Philippines. She highly values volunteerism, research, awareness about societal issues, and her one and only ice bear plushie! As an aspiring surgeon, she had her goals set straight: "To gain the most experience while she can." Well, that wasn't what she envisioned five years ago, was it? As it turned out, she discovered she didn't really want to use her talent to support herself. She saw it as a kind of gift, something she could use to her advantage as she navigated life. Besides, she fell in love with science right after she discovered the complexity of the universe. It turns out that your first love doesn't always have to be the one you end up with. Sometimes, they are the ones who help you along the way.

References:

• https://livingnongmo.org/2018/10/31/the-gmo-potato-what-consumers-need-to-know/

• https://www.fda.gov/food/agricultural-biotechnology/gmo-crops-animal-food-and-beyond

• https://gmoanswers.com/everything-you-need-know-about-gmo-potatoes

• https://torokhtiy.com/blogs/warm-body-cold-mind/pros-and-cons-of-potato

• https://www.insider.com/gmo-pros-and-cons

• https://allianceforscience.cornell.edu/blog/2018/05/gmo-potato-can-reduce-fungicide-use-90-percent/

• https://www.gmwatch.org/en/news/latest-news/18506-gmo-potatoes-the-risks-to-health