Safety Assessment of Genetically Engineered Fruits and Vegetables: A Case Study of the Flavr Savr Tomato

Use of genetically engineered plants for food production has raised many questions about food safety. Scientists, environmentalists, and government regulators have debated safety issues since the advent of genetic engineering. Recently, Calgene, Inc. became the first company to go to the FDA to request its evaluation of what will likely be the first whole food produced using genetic engineering technology: the FLAVR SAVR™ tomato.

This book outlines Calgene's strategy and approach for obtaining FDA approval, providing a detailed description of information and data necessary to demonstrate the safety of a genetically engineered whole food. The book serves as a model for other organizations attempting to demonstrate safety of their genetically engineered food products. For researchers and faculty, it provides the most extensive data and discussions on engineered foods. The book will provide a valuable resource for students, environmentalists, and others concerned about the use of genetic engineering, demonstrating the exact precision of the technology and its value as a breeding tool for crop development.