The Flavr Savr tomato was the first commercially grown
genetically engineered food to be granted a license for human
consumption. By adding an antisense gene, the California-based
company Calgene hoped to slow the ripening process of the tomato
to prevent softening and rotting, while allowing the tomato to
retain its natural flavor and color. The FDA approved the Flavr
Savr in 1994; however, the tomatoes were so delicate that they
were difficult to transport, and they were off the market by
1997. On top of production and shipping problems, the tomatoes
were also reported to have a very bland taste: “The Flavr Savr
tomatoes didn’t taste that good because of the variety from
which they were developed. There was very little flavor to
save,” said Christ Watkins, a horticulture professor at Cornell
University. 12 bizarre examples of genetic engineering “Glow-in-
the-dark cats? It may sound like science fiction, but they’ve
been around for years. Cabbages that produce scorpion poison?
It’s been done. Oh, and the nex