Question

Over many years, plant breeders have worked to develop tomatoes that have certain characteristics. This fact sheet gives you some information on how selective breeding occurs when two plants with certain characteristics are bred on purpose and how it has produced tomatoes with characteristics that help in the tomato processing industry. One of the most beneficial developments in tomato technology has been the development of producing tomatoes that can be machine harvested. Tomato breeders wanted a small, compact plant with tomatoes whose shape and skin texture could handle machine picking. After years of diligent breeding, such a tomato was developed. It had a shape that could be picked by machine and a tough skin. Machine harvesting meant farmers saved the cost of expensive hand labor to pick tomatoes and the fruit could be harvested quickly. Tomato breeders have also produced a wide range of tomato varieties through selective breeding. One variety of tomato has a small amount of juice, has good peel ability, and the ability to hold up after being diced. These meaty tomatoes are used to make tomato paste. The tomato paste is either sold in stores or is reconstituted (water added back into it) to produce tomato sauces and catsup during the off season. This makes tomato products available year-round. Another variety of tomato is easy to peel and has a little more juice than other varieties. This type of tomato is used to make tomato juice and tomato sauce right after harvest.

What is the difference between selective breeding and Genetically modified tomatoes? (according the text)

Answer 1

According to the fact sheet, selective breeding is the deliberate crossing of two plants with desirable traits over many years to produce new varieties (for example, compact plants with tough skins for machine harvesting, or “meaty” low‑juice varieties for paste). The text does not say anything about genetically modified (GM) tomatoes, so it does not provide a basis for comparing the two.

If you want, I can explain the typical difference between selective breeding and genetic modification beyond what’s in the text.