Want to Fight Diseases? Meet the Purple Tomato Born with Snapdragon DNA

A genetically modified purple tomato is now available for home gardeners to grow, marking the first time a GMO crop has been directly marketed and sold to the public. Developed by scientists in the UK, the peculiar plum-hued nightshade contains genes from snapdragons that ramp up production of anthocyanins, compounds linked to anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects. While traditional breeders have created anthocyanin-rich purple tomatoes using conventional techniques, none match the deep purple richness achieved inside and out by this biotech tomato. As GMO foods face backlash over ties to big agribusiness, this funky frankentomato aims to change public perception by going straight to backyard growers. But does the promise of anti-aging antioxidants outweigh any potential risks from genetic tweaking? Let’s delve into the details on this genetically altered tomato topping wish lists of produce-loving pioneers.

A Purple Mutant Tomato 20 Years in the Making

This pigmented tomato may seem too odd to be true, with its concord grape-like skin and plum-flecked interior. But it’s not some social media-hyped hoax. The ultra-purple tomato was pioneered by Cathie Martin, a professor at the John Innes Centre in Norwich, England. Her group spent two decades investigating ways to ramp up production of anthocyanins in tomatoes using genetic engineering.

These compounds occur naturally in tomatoes and other fruits and veggies, giving blueberries, blackberries, eggplants and purple cabbage their antioxidant-rich hues. By isolating the gene that switches on purple pigments in snapdragons and inserting it into tomatoes, Martin’s team found they could boost levels beyond what’s typically seen.

It took countless hours in the lab isolating the right genes, inserting them into tomato plants via bacteria, and waiting for the perfect purple specimen to emerge. But finally, after years of patience and persistence, the creators achieved a tomato with sky-high anthocyanins rivaling blueberries.

Previous traditional breeding efforts had developed tomatoes with boosted anthocyanins before. But this biotech version has an unprecedented pigment payload that permeates not just the skin but the flesh. That intrigued Norfolk Plant Sciences, a company seeking nutrient-dense GM crops. They licensed Martin’s purple tomato, christening it the “Purple Tomato,” and got approval to sell the seeds in the US.

Home Gardeners Gain Access to First GMO Vegetable Crop

While GMO corn, soy, canola and more comprise most industrial crops in the US, no GM produce has been directly available to consumers – until now. This month, thedevelopers began selling packs of Purple Tomato seeds by mail order and online. For $2.99 you can grow tomatoes bursting with antioxidants in your own backyard.

It’s a savvy move to improve public perception of genetic engineering in food. By bypassing big agriculture and ingredient suppliers, putting packets of Purple Tomato seeds into the hands of regular folks could help overcome fears about “Frankenfoods”.

Allowing home growers to experience the benefits of this biotech vegetable firsthand shows it’s not some profit-driven ploy by seed monopolies. It also provides a unique chance to see if the promised payoff in nutrition pans out in real life.

Supercharging Tomatoes with Snapdragons’ “Purple Power”

So why go to such lengths to concoct a wacky purple tomato? The aim is improving health by boosting anthocyanins, compounds linked to diverse benefits. Giving tomatoes a hefty dose of these phytonutrients could turn them into antioxidant-loaded superfoods.

Anthocyanins belong to the flavonoid family, water-soluble plant pigments with antioxidant effects. Berries, eggplant skins, purple sweet potatoes, black rice, red cabbage and other richly-hued produce contain abundant anthocyanins. Research suggests these compounds have anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetes and anti-cancer activity.

Some evidence finds anthocyanin-rich foods may reduce risk of heart disease and cognitive decline. These antioxidants may calm inflammation involved in diabetes, cancer progression, neurodegenerative diseases and more. Anthocyanins may also curb development of fat cells and lower blood sugar.

Tomatoes naturally contain trace anthocyanins in leaves and stems. But levels are minimal in the ripe fruit. Martin’s group aimed to change that by borrowing purple-boosting genes from snapdragons.

This genetic mix-and-match ramps up anthocyanin synthesis, resulting in tomatoes with boosts rivaling blueberries. Tests found Purple Tomatoes harbour two to three times more antioxidants than other tomatoes. In animal studies, mice fed diets enriched with Purple Tomatoes lived around 30% longer too.

Sceptics argue that anthocyanin content and health impact may differ in humans compared to mice. Clinical trials are still needed to verify benefits. But the elevated antioxidant levels measured in the Purple Tomato suggest it could enhance nutritional value of recipes from sauces to salsas.

A New Wave of GMO Foods Targeting Health

The Purple Tomato reflects a pivot in GM crops towards health rather than growing hardiness. Early GMOs like Roundup Ready corn focused on pest resistance and yield for commercial farmers. But trends are shifting towards nutrient-boosting biofortified foods.

Alongside the antioxidant-enriched Purple Tomato, scientists are working on Golden Rice packed with vitamin A precursors and fast-growing salmon with a side of omega-3s. The goal is using biotech to create superfoods that combat malnutrition or chronic diseases.

Critics argue we should simply eat more fruits, veggies, nuts and fish for health. But supporters believe biofortifying staples and popular produce can provide affordable nutrition when diets fall short.

However, none of these futuristic Frankenfoods have yet realized their full potential. Practical hurdles and public wariness of GMOs slow commercialization.

After two decades, Golden Rice is still not widely available despite its promise for reducing vitamin A deficiency. Salmon engineered to grow bigger and faster drew regulatory ire instead of ravenous fans. Now the Purple Tomato aims to buck that trend by putting GMO produce directly into public hands.

Purple Tomato Breeders See Direct-to-Consumer as Key

Rather than try convincing commercial growers to gamble on the weird-looking purple tomato, its producers are seeking public buy-in first. Selling the seeds in stores and online allows ordinary gardeners to trial the transgenic tomato at home.

If the unique appearance and nutrition claims convince backyard hobbyists, word-of-mouth interest could drive larger scale production. Compelling feedback from home growers could also warm retailers to the idea of stocking the purple produce eventually.

It’s a savvy grassroots strategy to sidestep stigma attached to GMOs. Putting the product right into the hands of consumers allows them to assess merits based on tangible factors like taste, texture, and visible anthocyanin content.

That’s smarter than trying to convince wholesalers to take a risk on an eyebrow-raising purple tomato because of abstract health advantages. Leaving reception up to regular growers could be the key to gaining broader acceptance.

But questions linger whether shoppers will bite once the novelty wears off. Would the unusual color be appetizing in recipes or off-putting? Are the potential health perks enough to outweigh a presumed higher price tag?

We’ll have to wait and see whether home gardeners have an appetite for the eccentric engineered tomato. But early signs point to enthusiasm amongst hobbyists keen to trial a food future.

Can Traditional Breeding Compete with GMO Purple Perfection?

Developers boast the Purple Tomato contains ultra-high anthocyanin levels unmatched by other tomatoes. But what about varieties bred conventionally without genetic modification?

Jim Myers, a vegetable breeder from Oregon State University, started working on boosting tomato antioxidants around the same time as Martin’s group. But rather than genetic engineering, Myers used traditional crossing and selection.

He mated wild tomato relatives from South America with modern varieties to introduce antioxidant-synthesizing genes absent in domesticated types. This yielded the Indigo series, with names like ‘Indigo Rose,’ ‘Indigo Pear Drops,’ and ‘Midnight Roma.’

Myers points out there are now 50+ cultivars of Indigo tomatoes grown by breeders globally. So traditional techniques can also enhance nutritional qualities in desired ways without bioengineering.

However, so far none of the conventionally bred tomatoes match the almost unreal purple tones of Martin’s biotech tomato. The Indigo tomatoes have dark skin but lack the vivid fuchsia flesh of the GMO. This suggests genetic engineering has advantages for realizing a next-level pigment payload.

Yet Myers argues appearance and antioxidants may not be the only metrics. Flavor and texture matter too. And he suggests the Purple Tomato may face greater wariness from consumers based on GM origins compared to his non-GMO Indigo varieties.

Still, quantifiable tests show substantially more total anthocyanins in the Purple Tomato. So for those seeking maximum antioxidants, the data gives the purple GMO the edge. That doesn’t rule out demand for both though, as aesthetics and individual growing conditions could also influence gardener decisions.

Proving GMO Merits by Putting Seeds in Public Hands

Rather than rely on marketing hype and health claims, putting packets of Purple Tomato seeds on store shelves lets real-world growers see merits firsthand. Allowing the public to cultivate and taste this quirky anthocyanin-amplified tomato may do more to further acceptance of GMOs than corporate promotional campaigns.

If home gardeners report back positively on the trait-enhanced tomato, it builds consumer confidence beyond what company assurances could achieve. But skepticism will understandably linger until more real-world feedback corroborates benefits.

Some argue the unconventional tomato could face uphill battle for acceptance regardless of nutrition gains. Its unnatural look may irk those preferring normal red tomatoes. And wariness around GMO safety could deter would-be growers despite regulators deeming current biotech crops safe.

But early feedback from some commercial growers and plant scientists indicates enthusiasm in the horticulture community. Outreach to educators could further spur interest amongst next gen gardeners less biased against genetic modification.

Overall, the move to put GM produce directly into public hands feels like a wise step to allow unfiltered assessments. The novelty factor combined with potential health advantages provides strong motivation for backyard growers to give these purple specimens a try.

If the unusual tomatoes deliver on unique aesthetics, nutrition, and gardening experience, word could spread. This grassroots model aims to ease transitional to expanded integration of GMO produce.

Though some question if positive home results would change minds of biotech critics. Diehard opposition to anything genetically modified may persist regardless of merits. And lack of labeling still obscures GM or hybridized status from most consumers.

Still, direct marketing provides a fascinating test case in public perception. Putting the purple tomato straight into the hands of growers is a bold move that could bear sweet fruit. But only time will tell whether home gardeners bite or reject this strange snapdragon-fusion specimen.