Editing Simplot (section)

==Genetically modified potatoes==
Simplot developed the genetically modified Innate potato, which was approved by the [[United States Department of Agriculture|USDA]] in 2014<ref>{{cite news|last1=Tracy|first1=Tennille|title=Genetically Modified Potato Wins Approval From USDA|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/usda-approves-a-genetically-modified-potato-1415398524|work=Wall Street Journal|date=November 7, 2014}}</ref> and the [[Food and Drug Administration|FDA]] in 2015.<ref>{{cite web|title=Introducing Innate™ Technology|url=http://www.simplotplantsciences.com|website=simplotplantsciences.com|publisher=J. R. Simplot Company.|accessdate=22 April 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=J.R. Simplot Company Petition (13-022-01p) for Determination of Non-Regulated Status for InnateTM Potatoes with Low Acrylamide Potential and Reduced Black Spot Bruise: Events E12 and E24 (Russet Burbank); F10 and F37 (Ranger Russet); J3, J55, and J78 (Atlantic); G11 (G); H37 and H50 (H)|url=http://www.aphis.usda.gov/brs/aphisdocs/13_02201p_dea.pdf|website=aphis.usda.gov|publisher=United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service|accessdate=22 April 2015|date=March 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=FDA concludes Arctic Apples and Innate Potatoes are safe for consumption|url=https://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm439121.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150320212235/http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm439121.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 20, 2015|website=fda.gov|publisher=U.S. Food and Drug Administration|accessdate=22 April 2015|date=March 20, 2015}}</ref>  It is designed to resist [[List of potato diseases|blackspot bruising]], [[browning (food process)|browning]] and to contain less of the [[amino acid]] [[asparagine]].

Asparagine can become [[acrylamide]] during the frying of potatoes and is a probable human [[carcinogen]], so reduced levels of it are desirable.<ref name="New York Times">{{cite web|last1=Pollack|first1=Andrew|title=U.S.D.A. Approves Modified Potato. Next Up: French Fry Fans|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/08/business/genetically-modified-potato-from-simplot-approved-by-usda.html|website=[[The New York Times]]|accessdate=22 April 2015|date=7 Nov 2014}}</ref><ref name=Guardian1>{{cite web|last1=Glenza|first1=Jessica|title='Innate Potato' heads for market but GM watchdogs chip away at Simplot success|url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/nov/08/innate-potato-simplot-gm-watchdogs|website=theguardian.com|publisher=Guardian News and Media Limited|accessdate=22 April 2015|date=8 Nov 2014}}</ref> The 'Innate' name comes from the fact that this variety does not contain any genetic material from other species (the genes used are “[[Wiktionary:innate|innate]]” to potatoes).  [[RNA interference]] is used to “switch off” genes in this case. Simplot hopes that not including genes from other species will assuage consumer fears about biotechnology.<ref name="New York Times"/>

The “Innate” potato is not a single cultivar, rather, it is a group of potato varieties that have had the same genetic alterations applied using the same process. Five different potato varieties have been transformed, thus creating "innate" versions with all of the original traits plus the engineered ones. Ranger Russet, Russet Burbank, and Atlantic potatoes have all been transformed by Simplot, as well as two proprietary varieties. Modifications of each variety involved two transformations, one for each of the two new traits.<ref name=Biofortified>{{cite web|last1=von Mogel|first1=Karl Haro|title=Q&A with Haven Baker on Simplot's Innate™ Potatoes|url=http://www.biofortified.org/2013/05/qa-with-haven-baker-innate-potatoes/|website=biofortified.org|publisher=Biology Fortified, Inc.|accessdate=10 May 2015|date=8 May 2013}}</ref>

[[Food and Water Watch]] successfully petitioned [[McDonald's]] to reject Innate potatoes.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Charles|first1=Dan|title=GMO Potatoes Have Arrived. But Will Anyone Buy Them?|url=https://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2015/01/13/376184710/gmo-potatoes-have-arrived-but-will-anyone-buy-them|website=npr.org|publisher=[[NPR]]|accessdate=5 May 2015|date=13 January 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Gunther|first1=Marc|title=McDonald's GMO dilemma: why fries are causing such a fuss|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/mcdonalds-fries-innate-potato-genetically-modified-food|website=theguardian.com|publisher=Guardian News and Media Limited|accessdate=22 April 2015|date=4 December 2013}}</ref>