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 A project to develop genetically
engineered, pest-resistant peas has been abandoned after tests
showed the peas cause lung damage in
mice.
Protein Kills Pea
Weevils
Field peas are susceptible to pea weevils, which lay their
eggs on pea pods. The gene for a protein capable of killing pea
weevil pests was transferred from the common bean to the peas. This
protein does not normally cause allergic reactions in mice or
people.
Structural
Changes
But when the protein is expressed in the pea, its structure
becomes subtly different from the original. Researchers say that
this indicates a potential for unpredicted and unintended effects
due to such structural changes. In this case, it was probably caused
by differences in the ways that the two plants produce
proteins.
Lung
Damage
Trials showed that the GE peas were almost completely
resistant to pea weevils. But mice injected with the protein showed
a hypersensitive skin response, and those exposed to it in airborne
form developed airway inflammation and lung damage. The effect was
the same whether the protein was taken from raw peas or cooked
peas.
In the early 1990s, a similar situation happened when
researchers engineered a new strain of soy bean by adding a gene
taken from brazil nuts. But that project ended when it was
discovered that the hybrid was likely to
trigger a major attack in people with brazil nut
allergies.
Do you realize that almost ALL the vegetables we eat today
in America are HYBRIDS ?! ALL
HYBRIDS ARE GE FOODS !!!!
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