Here comes the Great GM Potato, Precious by Brian Simpson

“Po-ta-toes! Boil ‘em. Mash ‘em, stick ‘em in a stew,” Sam said to Smeagel in the film The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers. But now, the much loved potato may be getting a genetically modified twist. Australia’s food regulator has called for submissions in its review of a new genetically-modified potato which produces less of a cancer-causing chemical called acrylamide: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-08-22/gm-potatoes-for-healthier-french-fries/7772252.

There are apparently no new proteins introduced and the DNA introduced is from the potato itself or from a closely-related potatoes species. So, there is the issue: is this justified on health grounds or are there more general concerns about GM issues which over-ride that? Food Standards Australia New Zealand has given us until the end of September to make a submission. Do it before the chips go down.