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Hybrids vs. GMOs

Wheata natural hybrid of wild grasses.

Dear FruitFriends,

In the following article, Heidi Lewis writes about genetically modified organisms (GMOs), and more specifically what

they are (and are not) relative to food. The FruitGuys has always held the policy that we will never include GMOs in

our fruit or vegetable mixes. We support the drive to label GMOs that is wending its way through

the California ballot process, as we believe strongly that consumer protection and transparency in any realm is a

good and important thing. You can learn more about that movement at: labelgmo.org. The definition of genetically

modified food is an important one to understand, and weve included it at the end of the article for your reference.

Please let us know if you have any questions or comments.

Enjoy and be Fruitful!

Chris Mittelstaedt, Founder & CEO, The FruitGuys

Grapefruitthought to be a natural hybrid of pomelo and sweet orange.

http://www.labelgmo.org/http://www.labelgmo.org/http://www.labelgmo.org/http://www.labelgmo.org/

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Hybrids vs. GMOs

By Heidi Lewis

To understand the difference between genetically modified food and naturally hybridized food, we need to understand

the hybrid process. Natural hybridization is nothing more than a cross between two related species or cultivars.

Hybrids have happened naturally throughout history via cross-pollination, but gardeners, farmers, and horticulturists

have created the bulk of modern hybrids (such as themany stone fruit combos), often over the course of many years.

Sometimes, the result of a plant pairing (both in the wild and controlled) turns out to be superior to the parent plants.

This is known as hybrid vigor. Some of the hundreds of vigorous results we benefit from are slicer tomatoes,

tangelos, peppermint, seedless watermelon, grapefruit, and even wheatin other words, hundreds of naturally raised

foods we eat every day. Included in this group of plants that have, over many years, made or been bred for

adaptation, are roses, irises, and other cut flowers. On the animal side, a great example of hybrid vigor is the mule:

intelligent, patient, sure-footeda better work partner than either its horse or donkey parents.

Pepperminta natural hybrid of spearmint and water mint.

To hybridize plants, you need to be a keen observer and have deep knowledge of the plants you want to improve.

Gregor Mendel, the father of modern genetics, spent his monastic life observing pea plants. Luther Burbank, the

genius behind much of the produce we eat today, has said, The secret of improved plant breeding, apart from

scientific knowledge, is love.

Genetically engineered or GMO foods are not hybridized foods. They can contain genetic material from one organism

(say a fish) that would never naturally be found in another organism (say a tomato). GMO experiments have actually

included combining fish and tomatoes, and bacteria with cornnot improvements we would want to eat.

Following is the definition of genetically engineered food per the California Right to Know Genetically Engineered

Food Act that is circulating in petitions right now. The FruitGuys endorses the GMO Labeling initiative on the

http://fruitguys.com/almanac/2012/06/11/hearts-of-stonehttp://fruitguys.com/almanac/2012/06/11/hearts-of-stonehttp://fruitguys.com/almanac/2012/06/11/hearts-of-stonehttp://fruitguys.com/almanac/2012/06/11/hearts-of-stone

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upcoming California ballot. Please consider learning more about this important initiative to help secure our food

supply, protect consumers, and stand up for transparency.

(c) Genetically engineered.

(1) Genetically engineered means any food that is produced from an organism or organisms in which the genetic

material has been changed through the application of:

(i) In vitro nucleic acid techniques, including recombinant deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) techniques and the direct

injection of nucleic acid into cells or organelles, or

(ii) Fusion of cells (including protoplast fusion) or hybridization techniques that overcome natural physiological,

reproductive, or recombination barriers, where the donor cells/protoplasts do not fall within the same taxonomic

family, in a way that does not occur by natural multiplication or natural recombination.

(2) For purposes of this subsection (c):

(i) Organism means any biological entity capable of replication, reproduction or transferring genetic material.

(ii) In vitro nucleic acid techniques include but are not limited to recombinant DNA or RNA techniques thatuse

vector systems and techniques involving the direct introduction into the organisms of hereditary materials prepared

outside the organisms such as microinjection, macro-injection, chemoporation, electroporation, microencapsulation,

and liposome fusion.