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Organic Vs. Transgenic Hawaiian Papaya

The papaya is a fruit that likely originated in Mexico and Central America, and is now popular throughout the world, especially in subtropical and tropical regions of the Americas and Asia. There are two main varieties, Mexican and Hawaiian. It is consumed in both its ripe form, and in unripe form, especially in Asia, where green papaya is used raw in salads and cooked in savory dishes.

  1. History of Transgenic Papaya in Hawaii

    • Papaya has long been an important crop in Hawaii. In the 1940s, a deadly ringworm virus began infecting papaya trees on the island of Oahu, forcing growers to relocate to Puna. When the virus spread there, researchers began working on a genetically modified papaya that was resistant to the virus. Trials began in the early 90s, and the new papaya was given FDA approval in 1997.

    Concern Among Organic Growers

    • Organic papaya farmers are concerned that pollen and seeds from the genetically modified (GM) papaya will spread to their own crops. This does seem to have occurred, though there is disagreement over the extent of the contamination. Crops altered by the GM strain can no longer be certified as organic. Organic markets overseas are now skeptical about the purity of Hawaii's organic papaya. Organic growers also argue that GM papaya lowered prices and eliminated small family farms.

    Other Environmental Concerns

    • Transgenic papaya was created by injecting the virus gene into a healthy plant, making it resistant to ringworm in the same way flu shots work in humans. Some scientists worry this gene could interact with other viruses to create a potentially more virulent disease-causing virus. They also worry that, while resistant to ringworm, transgenic papaya might prove more susceptible to other viruses.

    Response of Overseas Markets

    • While transgenic papaya has been sold in the United States since FDA approval in 1997, and in Canada since 2003, other countries have resisted GM produce or opposed it altogether. Sales to Japan have traditionally accounted for as much as 40 percent of Hawaii's papaya market, which suffered until Japan finally approved the sale of transgenic papaya in early 2010. The European Union has remained steadfastly opposed to all GM produce.

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