BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Twelve years after a customer revolt forced Monsanto to ditch its genetically engineered potato, an Idaho company aims to resurrect high-tech spuds. Tuber processing giant J.R. Simplot Co. has asked the U.S. government to approve five varieties of biotech potatoes.

They're engineered to prevent bruising and reduce levels of a natural but potentially cancer-causing neurotoxin. Simplot says it's accomplished what Monsanto did not: Creating a better potato, using nothing but potato genes. Monsanto's New Leaf product used genes from a microorganism, crossing the so-called "species line."

However, foes of genetically engineered foods remain alarmed. Washington, D.C-based Center for Food Safety says Simplot's potatoes join a litany of other genetically engineered crops that don't face rigorous-enough USDA or FDA testing. Simplot counters its spuds' characteristics are nearly identical to traditionally-bred potatoes.

 

 

 

 

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