How It Works
How was the papaya genetically modified?
Gene gun!
Papaya ringspot virus!
Name an economic pro of rainbow papaya.
It saved the Hawaiian papaya industry!
Name an ethical con of rainbow papaya.
Health concerns and scientists do not fully understand the consequences of inserting new genes into complex organisms!
What does the inserted gene allow the papaya to do?
Silence the effects of the virus!
How resistant to the virus is the GMO papaya?
100%!
Name an ethical pro of rainbow papaya.
It sustained the livelihood of thousands of papaya farmers!
Name an economic con of rainbow papayas.
Countries that don’t accept GMOs closed their doors to Hawaiian fruit which hurt export markets a lot!
What gene was inserted into the papaya?
The coat protein gene of the virus!
What percent of Hawaiian papayas died due to the virus?
40%!
Name an environmental pro of rainbow papayas.
Farmers don't need to use as many pesticides since the papaya is already resistant to the virus!
Name an environmental con of rainbow papaya.
GMOs can interbreed with wild organisms and can’t be recalled once released, and that could potentially could ruin future ecosystems!
Which 2 varieties of papaya did researchers cross?
SunUp and Kapoho Solo!
Name a political pro of rainbow papaya.
The seeds were given to farmers for free, without a lot of restrictions; it was a public discovery and a government supported initiative!
What universities were the researchers from?
Cornell and University of Hawaii!