Would anyone grow these tomatoes?

[Martin H]

I shouldn't think they are available to the home grower yet, but...

better taste, rich in antioxidants, disease resistant, long shelf life, what's not to like?

The world

Part of me is resisting the idea of creating / growing new varieties in this way, but I can't quite work out why. Maybe you lot can help me think it through?

[binley100]

What's not to like you ask ? ........GM , says it all. .....No thankyou

[SarzWix]

Conventional breeding could easily come up with the same results from what they're saying, they're just trying to speed up the process by gene fiddling. I'd rather stick with the usual methods myself. Shelf life isn't a high priority for me and that seems to be the only selling point - we already grow purple/purple-blue tomatoes that taste great!

[Likac66]

Genetically modified... we don't really know the risks yet, do we?

[Potstubsdustbins]

Shelf life! Who needs shelf life? My toms have all on to reach the kitchen.

GM no thanks.

Potty

[veggiechicken]

Any mention of longer shelf life and I'm out. It usually means thicker skins too. The next step will be GMing them to grow in cube shapes so that they can be packed into smaller boxes and don't roll around on your plate. I could go on fantasising about the desirable attributes of a tomato that appeals to a commercial producer and retailer but I'll spare you
Give me odd shaped, thin skinned, incredibly fresh tomatoes with a great flavour - preferably still warm from my greenhouse and I ask for no more.

[Olorin2001]

Honest food, produced sustainably, kissed gently and put on your plate.
Have no interest in GMO.
No interest in commercial varities either, with their thick skin to withstand mechanical sorting, all the same size to suit packaging, but at the expense of flavour.

[greenishfing]

Maybe it's something to do with my age (quite old) but there is something about scientists playing God and particularly Genetic Modification that sends shivers up my spine. Maybe I read and watched too much science fiction as a child - Brave New World, The island of Doctor Moreau, Them!, Frankenstein, The Fly etc

I wouldn't grow them, regardless of the so called benefits.

What happened to survival of the fittest? That's what happens on my plot.

[solway cropper]

It says 'better taste'. Better than what?
It wouldn't take much for any tomato to taste better than the bright red billiard balls you see in supermarkets. Well, there's a surprise, all my tomatoes taste better than that.

The only reason to develop GM toms is for huge companies to make huge profits.

[Vince G]

I once thought GM had its place in breeding out inherent flaws in plants, promoting diesease resistance etc. However having seen that report the other day about how our flora and fauna are changing and how certain species are in serious trouble, I really do wonder if it's worth it - modern "industrial" farming has surely got a bit to answer for.

[Tripmeup]

Thumbs down from me too...
Prefer to keep it natural and there are plenty of purple variations out there already..
As others say, shelf live does not matter when you are picking them fresh from the greenhouse!

[King Carrot]

I've got enough moans about the larger seed companies passing their older crap seed onto us veg growers to last a lifetime without adding the GM factor in.

Anyone care for a plate of yummy “roundup ready” veggies, and while your about it make sure that you don’t save any seed near GM crops as they’ll sue you if any of their patented TM crap cross pollinates into your seed..

Loads of stuff on Monsanto on the net – I haven’t looked for a few years but I wouldn’t imagine their general business plan for control of food supplies and market domination is any different the clucking bar stewards.

If it helps complete the picture, I believe Monsanto’s top person has a white cat (could possibly be a GM cat) that sits in his lap in the office, there is rumored to be stock footage of them plotting and cackling together, the atmosphere heavy with insanity and lust in their quest for world supremacy and a bowl of meow mix.

Hope I can get another hour or so sleep now.

[chris]

It's a no from me too. I try to avoid all GM food if I can.

I grow purple tomatoes anyway, that have been traditionally bred.

[Veggielot]

I can see why it would by on interest to commercial growers and supermarkets. Poor flavour has always been a critism of shop bought tomatoes and this is partly down to the practice of picking tomatoes early to prolong the shelf life.

However if you are growing your own then these are not really an issue,1You can pick your tomatoes and allow them to properly ripen to get the flavour you want and you can pick them as required so a long shelf life isnt really an issue.