Banana

Market Status

There are no genetically modified (GM or genetically engineered) bananas on the market but a disease-resistant GM banana was approved in Australia and New Zealand in 2024, and there are at least two gene-edited bananas – for reduced browning and slow-ripening – that are being promoted for possible introduction which do not require government approval.

April 2024: The first GM banana in the world was approved. The disease-resistant banana was approved for eating and growing in Australia and New Zealand. It was developed by the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) in Australia, but government regulators report that, “QUT has indicated there are no immediate plans to commercialise the GM banana in Australia as Panama disease is currently contained and effectively managed in the domestic industry.”

GM Banana Stalled in Australia

The Australia Banana Growers say: “The Australian banana industry is well and truly capable of meeting consumer demands without a genetically modified variety, at this time,” and, ”There are currently a range of other R&D projects under way, looking at slowing the spread and developing TR4-resistant banana varieties (that do not involve GM). These are showing great promise. They also have the potential to offer a commercially viable option to Cavendish, if TR4 takes hold.”

Future GM Gene-Edited Bananas in the Philippines

June 2024: The UK biotechnology company Tropic Biosciences has confirmation from the Government of the Philippines that no safety assessment is required for its GM reduced-browning bananas (TRB011001 and TRB011002) that were developed through CRISPR/Cas9 (a certificate of non-coverage). The company says it wants to plant in the future: “Tropic plans to introduce several important products in the Philippines over the next decade, starting with the non-browning banana.”