Fish tomato
Encyclopedia
Informally referred to as the "fish tomato", DNA Plant Technology
's transgenic tomato is genetically engineered with a gene from the winter flounder
.
It has become an icon in the debate over Genetically Modified Foods
, especially in relation to the perceived ethical dilemma of combining genes from different species. (See the metaphor of FrankenFood by Paul Lewis
.)
The transgenic organism was created when a tomato plant (variety(s)/cultivar
unknown) was infected with bacteria containing recombinant DNA. The anti freeze transgene that was inserted into the plasmid
(antifreeze gene; staphylococcal Protein A) that created the recombinant DNA, had been isolated from the Winter flounder
.
Although never commercialized, in 1991 DNA Plant Technology submitted a field test application to the USDA seeking approval for a field test, writing "Such limited field testing is required to develop a potential agricultural product." They had previously tested the tomato in greenhouse setting, although the results of these tests are unknown. Some commentators believe that the transgenic plant did not perform well in its frost-tolerance or other agronomic characteristics which is why it was never patented or commercialized.
's Art & Agriculture series
DNA Plant Technology
DNA Plant Technology was an early pioneer in applying transgenic biotechnology to problems in agriculture. The company was founded in Cinnamonson, New Jersey. In 1994, their headquarters moved to Oakland, California...
's transgenic tomato is genetically engineered with a gene from the winter flounder
Winter flounder
The winter flounder, Pseudopleuronectes americanus, is a right-eyed flatfish of the family Pleuronectidae. It is native to coastal waters of the western north Atlantic coast, from Labrador, Canada to Georgia, United States...
.
It has become an icon in the debate over Genetically Modified Foods
Genetically modified food controversies
The genetically modified foods controversy is a dispute over the relative advantages and disadvantages of genetically modified food crops and other uses of genetically-modified organisms in food production. The dispute involves biotechnology companies, governmental regulators, non-governmental...
, especially in relation to the perceived ethical dilemma of combining genes from different species. (See the metaphor of FrankenFood by Paul Lewis
Paul Lewis (professor)
Paul Lewis is professor of English in Boston College, Massachusetts, USA, specializing in humor, American literature and Gothic fiction. He has an A.B...
.)
The transgenic organism was created when a tomato plant (variety(s)/cultivar
Cultivar
A cultivar'Cultivar has two meanings as explained under Formal definition. When used in reference to a taxon, the word does not apply to an individual plant but to all those plants sharing the unique characteristics that define the cultivar. is a plant or group of plants selected for desirable...
unknown) was infected with bacteria containing recombinant DNA. The anti freeze transgene that was inserted into the plasmid
Plasmid
In microbiology and genetics, a plasmid is a DNA molecule that is separate from, and can replicate independently of, the chromosomal DNA. They are double-stranded and, in many cases, circular...
(antifreeze gene; staphylococcal Protein A) that created the recombinant DNA, had been isolated from the Winter flounder
Winter flounder
The winter flounder, Pseudopleuronectes americanus, is a right-eyed flatfish of the family Pleuronectidae. It is native to coastal waters of the western north Atlantic coast, from Labrador, Canada to Georgia, United States...
.
Although never commercialized, in 1991 DNA Plant Technology submitted a field test application to the USDA seeking approval for a field test, writing "Such limited field testing is required to develop a potential agricultural product." They had previously tested the tomato in greenhouse setting, although the results of these tests are unknown. Some commentators believe that the transgenic plant did not perform well in its frost-tolerance or other agronomic characteristics which is why it was never patented or commercialized.
External Links
That's Disgusting (Fish Gene into Tomato) from Oregon State UniversityOregon State University
Oregon State University is a coeducational, public research university located in Corvallis, Oregon, United States. The university offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees and a multitude of research opportunities. There are more than 200 academic degree programs offered through the...
's Art & Agriculture series