Okanagan Specialty Fruits, a Canadian biotech company, recently submitted documents asking the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to approve its genetically modified (GM), "Arctic" apple. One of the GM apple's genes has been silenced so that the apple won't turn brown after it's sliced or bitten.

Maintaining that fresh-cut hue, however, could come at the expense of the environment. As other GM crops have shown in the past, GM apples could escape from their orchards and cross-pollinate with organic and conventional varieties. Not only would this scenario forever alter natural apples' genes, it would destroy organic apple farmers' livelihoods.

Tell the USDA we want more organic crops, not more environmentally degrading GMOs. Sign our petition asking the USDA to deny approval of Okanagan's "Arctic" apple.

Photo credit: regalzam0ra via Flickr