Cheap fruit and veg could house vaccines

30 April 1998

Cheap fruit and veg could house vaccines

US scientists announced this week that 10 volunteers were successfully immunised against E Coli after eating genetically-modified potatoes containing a vaccine.

TheFinancial Times says potato vaccines are not commercially feasible but it says that the development of edible vaccines would theoretically be far cheaper than traditional alternatives especially if the crop is grown locally.

Meanwhile, researchers at Guys Hospital in London have genetically engineered a tobacco plant to produce antibodies to protect against streptococcus mutans, a bacterial infection that contributes to tooth decay.

• New use for crops as edible vaccines, FWi, 28 April — Click here
  

• Financial Times 30/04/98 page 16