Joe Guenthner
Professor Emeritus of Agricultural Economics, University of Idaho
Expert Bio
Joe Guenthner is Professor Emeritus of Agricultural Economics at the University of Idaho where he served for over 30 years and specialized in the economics of the potato industry. Raised at Antigo, Wisconsin, on a farm that produced potatoes for fresh, processed and seed potato markets, he has been involved in the potato industry all his life. In 1993, he was Visiting Scholar in the Department of Land Economy at the University of Cambridge. He has a BS from the University of Wisconsin, an MS from Montana State University and a PhD from Washington State University. He has published extensively in academic and trade journals and was elected President of Potato Association of America for 2001-2002.
Studies, Articles and Answers
Showing 7 out of 7 results
Question
Q: Are potatoes genetically modified?
A: There are currently no potatoes sold in the United States that are genetically modified. In 1995, NatureMark introduced NewLeaf potatoes, with resistance to the Colorado potato beetle, and subsequent generations with resistance to potato leaf roll virus (PLRV), and potato virus Y (PVY). The potatoes were withdrawn from the market in 2001. More recently, the J.R. Simplot Company received USDA approval for Innate genetically modified potatoes. These potatoes — available in Russet Burbank, Ranger Russet and Atlantic varieties — are expected to be sold in the United States beginning i [...]
LabelingQuestion
A: The first generation of Innate™ potatoes recently approved by the USDA and FDA grow exactly the same as their conventional counterparts. The second generation of Innate™ potatoes current under USDA review should have a longer storage life compared to conventional varieties. Although Innate™ seed is only available for commercial purposes, theoretically, home gardeners would see the same benefits of commercial growers which is less weight loss and less quality loss. In addition, the potatoes can be stored at cooler temperatures – as cool as 38 [...]
A: The first generation of Innate™ potatoes recently approved by the USDA and FDA grow exactly the same as their conventional counterparts. The second generation of Innate™ potatoes current under USDA review should have a longer storage life compared to conventional varieties. Although Innate™ seed is only available for commercial purposes, theoretically, home gardeners would see the same benefits of commercial growers which is less weight loss and less quality loss. In addition, the potatoes can be stored at cooler temperatures – as cool as 38 [...]
A: We currently anticipate Arctic® apples will first become available in a select number of stores in small, test-market quantities in late 2016. In terms of how their market introduction will be managed, Arctic® apples will be a managed brand and handled in much the same way as other managed varieties available on the market today. And while many additional details have yet to be finalized, it continues to be OSF‘s plan to assist in branding and the market introduction of Arctic® apples to aid in consumer education and awareness. We also hope to introduce additional nonbrownin [...]
GMOs Globally Modern AgricultureQuestion
A: The first generation of Innate™ potatoes recently approved by the USDA and FDA grow exactly the same as their conventional counterparts. The second generation of Innate™ potatoes current under USDA review should have a longer storage life compared to conventional varieties. Although Innate™ seed is only available for commercial purposes, theoretically, home gardeners would see the same benefits of commercial growers which is less weight loss and less quality loss. In addition, the potatoes can be stored at cooler temperatures – as cool as 38 [...]
A: The first generation of Innate™ potatoes recently approved by the USDA and FDA grow exactly the same as their conventional counterparts. The second generation of Innate™ potatoes current under USDA review should have a longer storage life compared to conventional varieties. Although Innate™ seed is only available for commercial purposes, theoretically, home gardeners would see the same benefits of commercial growers which is less weight loss and less quality loss. In addition, the potatoes can be stored at cooler temperatures – as cool as 38 [...]
A: We currently anticipate Arctic® apples will first become available in a select number of stores in small, test-market quantities in late 2016. In terms of how their market introduction will be managed, Arctic® apples will be a managed brand and handled in much the same way as other managed varieties available on the market today. And while many additional details have yet to be finalized, it continues to be OSF‘s plan to assist in branding and the market introduction of Arctic® apples to aid in consumer education and awareness. We also hope to introduce additional nonbrownin [...]
GMOs Globally Modern AgricultureQuestion
Q: are all russet potatoes genetically modified?
A: No. Russet Burbank and Ranger Russet potato varieties that are farm-grown from genetically engineered seed were approved by the USDA (November 2014) and FDA (March 2015) and were introduced into the marketplace this summer. These potatoes contain only genes from wild and cultivated potatoes and have been improved for reduced bruising, less browning and low acrylamide. Only a small portion of the estimated 170,000 U.S. acres of russet potatoes are considered GMO. [...]
A: No. Russet Burbank and Ranger Russet potato varieties that are farm-grown from genetically engineered seed were approved by the USDA (November, 2014) and FDA (March, 2015) and were introduced into the marketplace this summer. These potatoes contain only genes from wild and cultivated potatoes and have been improved for reduced bruising, less browning and low acrylamide. Only a small portion of the estimated 170,000 U.S. acres of russet potatoes are considered GMO. [...]
A: No. Russet Burbank and Ranger Russet potato varieties that are farm-grown from genetically engineered seed were approved by the USDA (November 2014) and FDA (March 2015) and were introduced into the marketplace this summer. These potatoes contain only genes from wild and cultivated potatoes and have been improved for reduced bruising, less browning and low acrylamide. Only a small portion of the estimated 170,000 U.S. acres of russet potatoes are considered GMO. [...]
A: No. Russet Burbank and Ranger Russet potato varieties that are farm-grown from genetically engineered seed were approved by the USDA (November, 2014) and FDA (March, 2015) and were introduced into the marketplace this summer. These potatoes contain only genes from wild and cultivated potatoes and have been improved for reduced bruising, less browning and low acrylamide. Only a small portion of the estimated 170,000 U.S. acres of russet potatoes are considered GMO. [...]
OtherQuestion
Q: are all russet potatoes genetically modified?
A: No. Russet Burbank and Ranger Russet potato varieties that are farm-grown from genetically engineered seed were approved by the USDA (November 2014) and FDA (March 2015) and were introduced into the marketplace this summer. These potatoes contain only genes from wild and cultivated potatoes and have been improved for reduced bruising, less browning and low acrylamide. Only a small portion of the estimated 170,000 U.S. acres of russet potatoes are considered GMO. [...]
A: No. Russet Burbank and Ranger Russet potato varieties that are farm-grown from genetically engineered seed were approved by the USDA (November, 2014) and FDA (March, 2015) and were introduced into the marketplace this summer. These potatoes contain only genes from wild and cultivated potatoes and have been improved for reduced bruising, less browning and low acrylamide. Only a small portion of the estimated 170,000 U.S. acres of russet potatoes are considered GMO. [...]
A: No. Russet Burbank and Ranger Russet potato varieties that are farm-grown from genetically engineered seed were approved by the USDA (November 2014) and FDA (March 2015) and were introduced into the marketplace this summer. These potatoes contain only genes from wild and cultivated potatoes and have been improved for reduced bruising, less browning and low acrylamide. Only a small portion of the estimated 170,000 U.S. acres of russet potatoes are considered GMO. [...]
A: No. Russet Burbank and Ranger Russet potato varieties that are farm-grown from genetically engineered seed were approved by the USDA (November, 2014) and FDA (March, 2015) and were introduced into the marketplace this summer. These potatoes contain only genes from wild and cultivated potatoes and have been improved for reduced bruising, less browning and low acrylamide. Only a small portion of the estimated 170,000 U.S. acres of russet potatoes are considered GMO. [...]
OtherQuestion
Q: Are Okinawan Purple sweet potato and Molokai Purple sweet potato GMO products?
A: Those sweet potato varieties are not modern GMOs. They could, however, be natural GMOS. Scientists at the International Potato Center and the University of Ghent in Belgium discovered that all 291 sweet potato varieties they tested, and some wild types, contained DNA from another species -- Agrobacterium tumefaciens. Simple one-celled bacteria living in the soil are the original genetic engineers. By comparing wild to farmed varieties, the scientists concluded that Agrobacterium DNA has been in sweet potatoes for more than 8,000 years. Naturally, prehistoric hu [...]
Health & SafetyQuestion
Q: most of the sweet potato here in sweden come from spain and the US. Do you know if its all GMO?
A: There are no modern GM sweet potatoes approved for sale in the U.S., Spain or Sweden. It is possible that the sweet potatoes you have been eating are natural GMOs. Scientists at the International Potato Center in Peru and the University of Ghent in Belgium discovered that all 291 sweet potato varieties they tested, and some wild types, contained DNA from another species -- Agrobacterium tumefaciens. Simple one-celled bacteria living in the soil are the original genetic engineers. By comparing wild to farmed varieties the scientists concluded that Agrobacterium DNA h [...]
GMO Basics Health & Safety