In a groundbreaking move, regulatory authorities in Australia and New Zealand have approved commercially producing genetically modified bananas.
Have bananas been genetically modified?
Developed by Queensland scientists, the QCAV-4 banana aims to address the looming threat posed by Panama Disease Tropical Race 4 (TR4), which poses a serious risk to the global banana industry.
What is the Panama disease TR4?
Panama TR4 is a fungal disease wreaking havoc on banana crops worldwide by infiltrating the plants through their root systems, ultimately causing them to suffer from water and nutrient deprivation. The disease affects various banana varieties, including Cavendish, Lady Finger, and Ducasse.
How have bananas been modified?
The QCAV-4 banana is a bioengineered Cavendish variety incorporating a single banana resistance gene, RGA2, from the wild banana species Musa acuminata ssp malaccensis native to Southeast Asia. Cavendish bananas already contain the RGA2 gene, but it doesn’t work.
According to QUT Distinguished Professor James Dale, the persistence of Panama Disease TR4 poses a significant threat to banana crops, with its soil-borne fungus capable of surviving in the ground for over half a century.
The disease has already caused extensive damage to Cavendish plantations worldwide, highlighting the urgent need for a solution to safeguard the banana industry’s future. Unfortunately, there is currently no treatment or cure.
When can we expect to see GMO bananas?
But don’t expect this banana variety on supermarket shelves anytime soon.
There are no immediate plans to get this banana variety to market as the Panama disease is currently being effectively managed in Australia.
Instead, these genetically modified bananas serve as a contingency plan to protect Australia’s banana industry, which relies heavily on Cavendish bananas.
“About 95 per cent of Australia’s bananas are grown in Queensland, and Cavendish banana accounts for 97 per cent of production,” Professor Dale said.
“Apart from providing a genuine protection against Panama Disease TR4 for the world’s export industry, QCAV-4 is a safety net for Australia’s $1.3 billion industry, which includes protected employment for 18,000 Queenslanders involved in banana production.”
Are GM bananas safe?
Worried about safety? Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has approved QCAV-4 as suitable for human consumption.
“FSANZ notified Australian and New Zealand food ministers of the decision on 16 February 2024. Food ministers have 60 days to consider the approval. If they do not request a review, the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code will be amended to permit the sale and use of food derived from the banana,” says a statement on the website.
As Professor Dale explains to the ABC, “We have moved a banana gene from one banana to another.”
“There’s nothing scary. The gene was already present in Cavendish … it just doesn’t work, so we have put in a version that works.”
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