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Q: Genetically Modified Papayas and FDA approval` ( Answered 5 out of 5 stars,   1 Comment )
Question  
Subject: Genetically Modified Papayas and FDA approval`
Category: Science > Agriculture and Farming
Asked by: demidec-ga
List Price: $6.00
Posted: 17 May 2004 20:38 PDT
Expires: 16 Jun 2004 20:38 PDT
Question ID: 347994
In 1998, the FDA and other regulatory agencies approved genetically
modified (transgenic, or GM) papayas for use in Hawaii, where they
were resistant to a viral disease that had all but wiped out the
papaya crop. Is there an account anywhere of the details behind the
approval process--i.e. who filed the applications, which agencies they
filed them with, who championed them, who financed them, who protested
them at the time (if anyone), etc?
Answer  
Subject: Re: Genetically Modified Papayas and FDA approval`
Answered By: czh-ga on 18 May 2004 01:39 PDT
Rated:5 out of 5 stars
 
Hello again demidec-ga,

Researching your papaya questions has given me an education on this
controversial topic. Fortunately, there is lots of information
available to answer all your questions about the development and
approval of the genetically modified papayas developed to combat the
papaya ringspot virus in Hawaii. The links below cover all facets of
the information you seek.

Best wishes for your project and your continued explorations.

~ czh ~


http://www.nysaes.cornell.edu/pubs/press/1998/papayarelease.html
April 28, 1998
First Genetically Engineered Papaya Released to Growers in Hawaii

Hilo, HI - Growers are depending on the virus-resistant 'SunUp' and
'Rainbow' to restore the pot of gold to the Hawaiian papaya industry,
which has been decimated by the deadly papaya ringspot virus in recent
years. Seeds from the genetically engineered fruit will be distributed
free of charge on May 1 - an historic occasion that marks the
coronation of over 20 years of work.

"This is the first commercialization of a genetically engineered virus
resistant perennial fruit crop," said Dennis Gonsalves, plant
pathologist with Cornell University's Agricultural Experiment Station
at Geneva, NY. Gonsalves cooperated with researchers from the
University of Hawaii, the USDA, and Upjohn to develop the new
varieties.

The virus-resistant papaya were deregulated by APHIS, EPA, and FDA in
1997. The Cornell Research Foundation and PAC pursued licensing, which
was successfully obtained in April 1998. In anticipation of
commercialization, PAC funded seed production over a year ago, and the
seed from 1,000 acres is now being released.

-------------------------------------------------


http://www.cals.cornell.edu/extension/nabc/pubs/nabc_15/chapters/Gonsalves.pdf
The Papaya Story ? A Special Case or a Generic Story?
Dennis Gonsalves
US Pacific Basin Research Center, Hilo, HI

***** This is an 11-page report that reviews the history of the GM
papaya and includes a discussion of the FDA approval process.

-------------------------------------------------


http://www.foodsafetynetwork.ca/gmo/papayarep.htm
Papaya Ringspot Virus Resistant Papaya: A Case Study
Swain, S. and Powell, D.A. 2001
Technical report
http://www.plant.uoguelph.ca/safefood/gmo/papayarep.htm

The papaya industry worldwide has been severely affected by the papaya
ringspot virus (PRSV). Widespread infestation was significantly
harming the Hawaian papaya industry in Hawaii, prompting attempts to
develop a virus-resistant transgenic papaya using parasite-derived
resistance (PDR). This review outlines the process of development, the
commercialization, and the impact that this technology has had on the
Hawaiian papaya industry.

***** This is a long article that reviews the history of the
development and approval of the GM papaya in Hawaii. It includes a
long list of references.

-------------------------------------------------


http://www.whybiotech.com/index.asp?id=1646
Biotech Papaya FAQ

7. Who developed this technology and who owns the rights to it?
The research culminated more than 20 years of work led by scientists
from Cornell and the University of Hawaii.16 The Cornell Research
Foundation and the Papaya Administrative Committee, whose grower
members helped finance the research, has the license to the
genetically improved papaya seeds17. They have allowed Hawaii farmers
to use the seeds for free.18

9. What do consumers think of genetically enhanced papayas?
In the United States, consumers seem quite pleased with the fruit
because the alternative is that papayas would have been pretty scarce
? at least in Hawaii - if new virus-resistant varieties weren?t
developed.21 There are two main genetically improved varieties of
papaya: Rainbow, which is a yellow-fleshed hybrid between a
conventional papaya and a genetically enhanced one; and SunUp, which
is a red-fleshed transgenic papaya. As stated earlier, consumers have
really embraced the Rainbow hybrid.22 There have been a few isolated
cases of people objecting to genetically enhanced papayas. But it?s
just not an issue for most people because the improved fruit is the
same nutritionally as conventional varieties. And many people think it
tastes even better.23

***** This reference also includes a bibliography of related articles.

-------------------------------------------------


http://www.higean.org/hawaii/papaya.htm
HI GEAN 
Hawaii Genetic Engineering Action Network 
Focus on Papaya 

***** This site links to several negative articles about GM papayas
and includes a bibliography of government regulatory reviews.

-------------------------------------------------


http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d02566.pdf
United States General Accounting Office Report to Congressional
Requesters "Genetically Modified Foods" GAO-02-566 May 2002.

***** This is a 52-page report that reviews that is summarized on the
cover: ?Experts View Regimen of Safety Tests as Adequate, but FDA?s
Approval Process Could Be Enhanced.?

-------------------------------------------------


http://articles.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0838/is_2000_Sept-Oct/ai_76614545
Consumers Want GE Food Labeled - transgenic foods - Brief Article
Mothering,  Sept-Oct, 2000  

WHILE POLLS SHOW THAT US CONSUMERS OVERWHELMINGLY want genetically
engineered foods to be labeled, the FDA announced on May 3 that it
would not require mandatory labeling of GE foods. Instead, the FDA
will create a "GE-free" voluntary industry labeling program, the
burden of which would be borne by GE-free producers. The FDA also
announced that it won't require mandatory premarket safety testing of
GE foods but will rely instead on nonspecific "consultations" with
industry.

-------------------------------------------------


http://www.ucsusa.org/food_and_environment/biotechnology/page.cfm?pageID=337
Food and Environment
Genetically Engineered Foods Allowed on the Market 
Genetically engineered crops allowed in the US food supply

Product 		Papaya
Institution(s)	Cornell Univ/Univ Hawaii 
Engineered Trait(s)	Resist papaya ringspot virus 
Sources of New Genes	Bacteria, virus 
Name		        Sunup, Rainbow 1997

-------------------------------------------------

http://www.ucsusa.org/food_and_environment/biotechnology/page.cfm?pageID=1219
Environmental Effects of Genetically Modified Food Crops Recent Experiences

In the decade and a half since the agricultural biotechnology industry
in the United States staged its first field trials, federal and state
governments and private corporations have spent billions of dollars on
research, commercial development, and regulation. This paper focuses
primarily on the environmental successes and failures of that
investment and the implications of that experience for U.S. readiness
to deal with the next generation of agricultural biotechnology
products.

Paper presented by Margaret Mellon at a conference, Genetically
Modified Foods?the American Experience, sponsored by the Royal
Veterinary and Agricultural University, Copenhagen, Denmark, June
12-13, 2003.

***** This article includes a very lengthy bibliography with many of
the references containing links to the material included.






SEARCH STRATEGY

FDA  approved GE papaya
demidec-ga rated this answer:5 out of 5 stars and gave an additional tip of: $4.00
Super! The 
http://www.cals.cornell.edu/extension/nabc/pubs/nabc_15/chapters/Gonsalves.pdf
link is ideal, and we are well on our to understanding what we once
thought to be an innocent fruit good for salads and hot summer days. I
wonder if there's a story behind mangos, too!

Comments  
Subject: Re: Genetically Modified Papayas and FDA approval`
From: czh-ga on 18 May 2004 09:57 PDT
 
Hello again demidec-ga,

You've aroused my curiosity about your papaya quest and I'm glad I've
been able to help. Thank you for the five stars and generous tip. I
look forward to your mango questions. ;-)

~ czh ~

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