Editing Flavr Savr (section)

{{short description|Genetically engineered food}}
'''Flavr Savr''' (also known as '''CGN-89564-2'''; pronounced "flavor saver"), a [[genetically modified tomato]], was the first commercially grown [[Genetic engineering|genetically engineered]] food to be granted a license for human consumption. It was developed by the Californian company [[Calgene]] in the 1980s.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=June 24, 2013 |title=Transcript: GMO Food Fears and the First Test Tube Tomato |url=https://www.retroreport.org/transcript/test-tube-tomato/ |access-date=March 6, 2022 |publisher=Retro Report |archive-date=March 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220306145519/https://www.retroreport.org/transcript/test-tube-tomato/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> The tomato has an improved shelf-life, increased fungal resistance, and a slightly increased viscosity compared to its unmodified counterpart.<ref name=":0">{{cite book |author=Redenbaugh, Keith |author2=Bill Hiatt |author3=Belinda Martineau |author4=Matthew Kramer |author5=Ray Sheehy |author6=Rick Sanders |author7=Cathy Houck |author8=Don Emlay|year=1992|title=Safety Assessment of Genetically Engineered Fruits and Vegetables: A Case Study of the Flavr Savr Tomato|publisher=CRC Press|page=288}}</ref> It was meant to be harvested ripe for increased flavor for long-distance shipping.<ref name=":1" /> The Flavr Savr contains two [[Gene|genes]] added by Calgene; a reversed [[antisense]] [[polygalacturonase]] gene, which inhibits the production of a rotting enzyme, and a gene responsible for the creation of [[Kanamycin kinase|APH(3')II]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 17, 1994 |title=Agency Summary Memorandum Re: Consultation with Calgene Inc., Concerning Flavr Savr™ Tomatoes |url=http://www.fda.gov/Food/IngredientsPackagingLabeling/GEPlants/Submissions/ucm225043.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170113011436/http://www.fda.gov/Food/IngredientsPackagingLabeling/GEPlants/Submissions/ucm225043.htm |access-date=February 17, 2022 |website=FDA |archive-date=January 13, 2017 }}</ref> which confers resistance to certain aminoglycoside [[Antibiotic|antibiotics]], including [[Kanamycin A|kanamycin]] and [[neomycin]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 1, 2009 |title=Code of Federal Regulations |url=http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/cfr_2009/aprqtr/21cfr173.170.htm |access-date=March 6, 2022 |website=govinfo.gov}}</ref> On May 18, 1994,<ref>{{cite web|last=Stone|first=Brad|title=The Flavr Savr Arrives|url=http://www.accessexcellence.org/RC/AB/BA/Flavr_Savr_Arrives.php|access-date=December 29, 2012}}</ref> the FDA completed its evaluation of the Flavr Savr tomato and the use of APH(3')II, concluding that the tomato "is as safe as tomatoes bred by conventional means" and "that the use of aminoglycoside 3'-phosphotransferase II is safe for use as a processing aid in the development of new varieties of tomato, [[rapeseed oil]], and cotton intended for food use." It was first sold in 1994, and was only available before production ceased in 1997.<ref name="fray">Weasel, Lisa H. 2009. ''Food Fray.'' Amacom Publishing</ref> Calgene made history, but mounting costs prevented the company from becoming profitable,<ref name=":2" /> and it was eventually acquired by [[Monsanto Company]].<ref name=":1" />