Biotechnology

I choose to research cantaloupe crops that are produced using biotechnology. This seemed to be worthwhile research because I love cantaloupe. It is one of my favorite fruits. According to the agbios website on their GM Database, "Delayed ripening by introduction of a gene that results in degradation of a precursor of the plant hormone, ethylene". This seems to me to be a fairly simple and safe process. The trait that is introduced is Agrobacterium tumefacians and the method is by mediated plant transformation. The proposed use is for human consumption and the melon can be used either fresh or processed. The company responsible for this biotechnology is Agritope, Inc. By decreasing the ethylene hormone, the melon has a longer shelf life, better flavor, and a reduced spoilage time. This allows growers to increase their market and consumers more time to use the melons. Most American bio tech cantaloupe growers are in California. I see the use of biotechnology in the production of cantaloupes to have a positive impact because growers and distributors have more flexibility and consumers have more time to use the melons, which causes less food and money loss. By prolonging the shelf life of cantaloupe, it can be shipped to more people, which provides for better distribution, and their is more time to eat this crop that can only be grown once a year.