On May 9, 2:45*am, Janet Bostwick > wrote:
> Simplot says it has made a better potato
>
> Published: May 9, 2013
>
> *J.R. Simplot Co. officials say their scientists have engineered a
> superior potato.
>
> J.R. Simplot Co. says its gene-altered spuds bruise less, don't brown
> when cut and lessen the potential for carcinogens
>
> By ZACH KYLE —
>
> BOISE — J.R. Simplot Co. officials say their scientists have
> engineered a superior product. But they can't sell it without
> government permission.
>
> Federal regulators must grant Simplot an exemption from rules
> governing genetically modified crops before the company can add the
> spuds to the 3 billion pounds it produces each year.
>
> The Boise company petitioned the U.S. Department of Agriculture's
> Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service for an exemption. The rules
> are designed to prevent the introduction of genetically modified plant
> pests. Simplot contends that its potatoes are not plant pests.
>
> Simplot argues that its new Innate-brand potatoes, which mix genes of
> five potato varieties, are pretty much like the old.
>
> "Innate potatoes provide no adverse impacts to human health, other
> (crops) or the environment, because they contain only potato DNA and
> are grown just like regular, cultivated potatoes," Simplot spokesman
> Doug Cole told the Idaho Statesman. "They have the same
> characteristics as their commercially grown counterparts."
>
> Simplot says the potatoes reduce bruising and lower potential for
> cooked potatoes to carry acrylamide, a human neurotoxin and potential
> carcinogen that can appear in potatoes and other starchy foods cooked
> at high temperatures.
>
> The modified potatoes also have fewer reducing sugars, which cause
> browning in cut and cooked potatoes.
>
> "Innate potatoes will not turn brown after being cut for many days
> until they dry out and degrade naturally, while normal potatoes often
> begin to turn brown within 10 minutes," said Haven Baker, Simplot vice
> president of plant sciences, in an interview with Biology Fortified
> Inc., a website promoting genetically modified foods.
>
> Baker said the potatoes could help farmers combat crop loss due to
> black spot bruise, which can affect up to 5 percent of potato crops.
> Black spot bruising occurs when potatoes are jostled during harvest.
> Bruised potatoes are picked out of potatoes heading to commercial
> markets.
>
> Innate potatoes could reach the market in about a year if the USDA
> accepts Simplot's request, Cole told the Statesman.
>
> Cole said he would not comment on potential markets while the petition
> is under review. The company supplies potatoes to McDonald's and other
> fast-food chains, and to grocery stores.
>
> If they receive unregulated status, Innate potatoes would quickly be
> available to commercial farms and eventually in supermarkets, Baker
> said. Seeds probably wouldn't be available to home growers, he said.
>
> Simplot has already conducted field tests of the potatoes under the
> agency's oversight. Cole said Simplot has provided test data to the
> U.S. Food and Drug Administration and asked it to determine that the
> potatoes are safe for humans.
>
> The modified crop could mean higher profits for Simplot and farmers,
> but that wouldn't help consumers, said Jenny Easley of Middleton,
> co-founder of GMO Free Idaho.
>
> "So far, the genetically modified organisms on the market are of no
> benefit to consumers," Easley said. "They benefit farmers, and really,
> that's all. There's not a nutritional benefit to us."
>
> Easley said most genetically modified foods are untested for human
> consumption. She'd like to see all genetically altered foods labeled
> in grocery stores and restaurants. And really, she'd like them all
> banned.
>
> "No matter what they think the value of their potato is, we have a
> regulatory system in place for a reason," Easley said.
>
> The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is accepting public
> comments until July 2.
>
> J.R. "Jack" Simplot founded his potato and onion operation in Declo in
> 1929. The company has expanded into seed production, fertilizer
> manufacturing, frozen-food processing and distribution while becoming
> one of the largest private employers in Idaho.

I bet it has no flavor.