USDA grants access for GE tomato field trials

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has granted approval to NexGen Plants of Australia to conduct field trials of their gene-edited virus resistant tomato lines. The tomato lines Solanum lycopersicum NP-TV101-1, NP-TV101-2, NP-TV101-3, NP-TV201-1, NP-TV201-2, and NP-TV201-3 were developed at the University of Queensland. The USDA has determined that the six tomato lines do not fall under the federal regulations for genetically engineered (GE) plants.

The GE tomato plants were altered using particle bombardment of gene sequences, allowing plants to detect and destroy the tomato spotted wilt virus and cauliflower mosaic virus. Plants rely on RNA to recognize and fight invading viruses, but the pathogen evolves to circumvent this mechanism. Plants need time to develop another defense when this happens. Instead of waiting for the process to occur naturally, NexGen assembled components of existing tomato DNA that will target the newest strains of the virus, accelerating the development of resistance, according to Philippe Herve, the company’s CEO.

NexGen letter to the USDA [pdf]

USDA decision letter [pdf]