GMO Seeds

Photo: Raven Villar/Boise State Public Radio

A new genetically modified tomato variety known as the Purple Tomato has just been placed on the market for purchase by the general public, i.e. gardeners. Up to this time no GMO seeds have been available to gardeners.

The new tomato seeds are pricey.  The genes of this tomato have been modified with snapdragon genes controlling color.  The tomatoes are purple all the way through, not just on the surface.  They are reported to be more healthy because they contain more anthocyanins like blueberries and other dark-colored super foods.  

Learn more about how this tomato variety was created in an article from NPR.  

Master Gardener Dave Skinner is growing several of the new tomato plants at the VegHeadz garden.  Perhaps they’ll have some fruit by May 10 and you can see them during the Demonstration Garden Open House and Plant Sale.  

One of the advantages of growing your own food is the assurance that it’s free from genetic modification, if you do not wish to eat GMO food.  We expect you will begin to see more GMO seeds on the market now that this barrier has been crossed.

A recent question from a gardener asking if there was any way to get non-GMO corn seeds prompted us to reassure you that the garden seeds you purchase are not genetically modified.

Genetically modified organism (GMO) seeds are not available for over-the-counter purchase by the general public in the United States. These seeds are primarily sold to commercial farmers under strict regulations and contractual agreements.

Companies that develop GMO seeds invest significant resources into their development and protect their intellectual property through patents. As a result, they require farmers to sign technology stewardship agreements before purchasing these seeds. These contracts typically stipulate that the seeds can only be used for a single planting, prohibit saving or sharing seeds, and may allow the company to inspect the fields where the seeds are planted.  Many of these seeds are modified to resist herbicides, so fields can be sprayed to kill weeds without killing the cash crop.

Since seed companies do not market GMO seeds to the home gardening market, obtaining them would require going through a farm supply company, obtaining the necessary licensing, and signing a contract.  While it’s not inherently illegal for an individual to possess GMO seeds, unauthorized acquisition or use—such as obtaining them without the required agreements—could violate patent laws and regulatory requirements.  

You can access a list of bio-engineered foods, although we notice that the Purple Tomato is not mentioned:  https://www.ams.usda.gov/rules-regulations/be/bioengineered-foods-list

Varieties which are developed through natural selection are also genetically modified, but there are significant differences between those that are commercially manipulated and those that are naturally developed over time.  The chart below points out the differences. 

Category	Commercially Genetically Modified (GM) Seeds	Modified Through Natural Selection
Method of Modification	Created using biotechnology in a lab; may include foreign genes	Selection and crossbreeding over generations; uses only natural variation
Genetic Precision	High precision; specific genes introduced or altered	Less precise; multiple genes affected during selection
Speed of Development	Fast—traits can be introduced in one generation	Slow—traits stabilize over many generations
Use of Foreign DNA	Often includes genes from unrelated species	Does not involve foreign DNA
Regulation	Heavily regulated (e.g., FDA, USDA, EPA in U.S.)	Minimal regulation
Intellectual Property	Often patented; use restricted by license agreements	Rarely patented; seeds can usually be saved and reused
Accessibility to Public	Not available for general public; sold under contracts to commercial farmers	Widely available to farmers and gardeners
Public Perception	Sometimes controversial; concerns about safety, environment, and corporate control	Viewed as natural or organic; generally accepted
Common Use	Large-scale, industrial agriculture	Small farms, home gardens, organic agriculture

Are the foods you buy genetically modified?  As always, read the label. In the United States, GMO foods are required to be labeled. 

The National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard, which went into effect on January 1, 2022, mandates that foods containing bioengineered ingredients must be labeled as such. This can be done through a text statement ("bioengineered food ingredient" or "contains bioengineered ingredients"), a symbol (a square with a lowercase "be" inside), or an electronic or digital link.

The requirement applies to manufacturers, importers, and retailers of food products. Exceptions include foods that are not commercially available in the U.S., foods that are highly refined (such as oils and sugars), and foods served in restaurants. This is a federal requirement, and some states may have additional regulations regarding GMO labeling.