Flavr Savr
The Flavr Savr tomato ( " geschmackskonservierende tomato" ), known colloquially as " Flavr Savr tomato ", is a genetically modified tomato. In this case, the gene coding for the enzyme polygalacturonase, and responsible for the degradation of the supporting fabric, is blocked on the RNA level using antisense RNA. By means of the Ti plasmid, the cDNA of the polygalacturonase gene in the opposite orientation (antisense ) was incorporated under the control of Ti - promoter into the genome of the cell. By inhibiting this enzyme that degrades cell walls during the ripening, the Flavr Savr tomato can mature longer and thereby make more flavorings.
As the tomato came as the first GM product 1994 in the U.S. market, the chances were very buyer. This is partly due to the fact that people were afraid of genetically modified food. On the other hand, the former processing and packaging industry was not set to ripe tomatoes. It would have required heavy investment in new machinery. Another negative aspect is that the tomato has poor resistance properties. Finally, the tomato was also advertised properties are not satisfactorily meet and today has virtually no meaning. In the U.S., she was again taken off the market in 1997.
Flavr Savr The term is, strictly speaking, only for the 1988 patented seed, which was developed by the Californian company Calgene Inc.. In spring 1997, Calgene was bought by Monsanto.