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I don't recall the keyword to search for, but I believe I've read there is a third option, neither (a) or (b) exactly, which was used prior to modern genetic en

I don't recall the keyword to search for, but I believe I've read there is a third option, neither (a) or (b) exactly, which was used prior to modern genetic engineering and arguably should be considered more risky. That is using radiation or something else mutagenic to produce a lot of mutants at random and then selectively breeding them. If this is not considered "genetic engineering" but "selective breeding" it would tend to support the idea that people are irrational about the label.

GravitasFailure 5y ago
Mutation breeding, mutagenesis, or Atomic Gardening. You take a radiation source, grow plants around it, and breed the ones with interesting mutations. Ruby Red Grapefruit was bred this way exposing either the plants or seeds to radiation from a Cobalt-60 source. I believe there was also a process that involved exposure to chemicals that would cause DNA damage and induce mutations as well, but I don't know how successful it was. https://geneticliteracyproject.org/2016/06/13/pasta-ruby-grapefruits-why-organic-devotees-love-foods-mutated-by-radiation-and-chemicals/ https://geneticliteracyproject.org/2016/06/13/pasta-ruby-gra... https://unbelievable-facts.com/2017/08/atomic-gardening.html https://unbelievable-facts.com/2017/08/atomic-gardening.html