USDA approves JR Simplot’s genetically modified potato

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has approved Innate Potato, a genetically engineered (GE) variety of potato that is resistant to bruising and claims to provide potential health benefits.

The potato, which has been manufactured by JR Simplot, will be the first genetically modified potato to be used in the US in the past ten years.

The company has said that it developed the Innate technology to enhance the quality of crops.

JR Simplot said on its website: "Innate makes it possible to enhance a potato plant’s desirable traits without introducing foreign genes into the plant.

"Innate potatoes are less susceptible to black spot from bruising caused by impact and pressure during harvest and storage than conventional potatoes and have lower levels of asparagine and sugars.

"These potatoes pose no environmental risk, create no harm to other species and grow just like conventional potatoes in extensive field tests."

Innate potatoes use DNA from other potatoes through a process called RNA interference technology, reported the Guardian.

They are designed to produce lower levels of acrylamid, which is a potential carcinogen in potatoes and other starchy foods that are formed when they are cooked at high temperatures, reported the Wall Street Journal.

According to JR Simplot’s plan, they will roll-out three varieties of the genetically modified potato, the Ranger Russet and Russet Burban for french fries, and the Atlantic for chips. Advocates of food safety have, however, advised caution.

Senior scientist at the advocacy group Center for Food Safety Doug Gurian-Sherman said: "If this is an attempt to give crop biotechnology a more benign face, all it has really done is expose the inadequacies of the US regulation of GE crops.

"We simply don’t know enough about RNA interference technology to determine whether GE crops developed with it are safe for people and the environment."

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Image: The genetically modified potatoes can be used for manufacturing french fries, chips or used for everyday consumption. Photo: courtesy of phasinphoto/freedigitalphotos.net.