GM tomato could fight heart disease

1 May 2001



GM tomato could fight heart disease

By FWi staff

SCIENTISTS claim to have developed a genetically modified tomato with potential to reduce the risk of heart disease, reports the Daily Mail.

Levels of a chemical known to fight against the clogging of arteries have been boosted by 80 times in the fruit.

Scientists added a gene from the petunia plant which boosted the production of flavonols, natural antitoxidants though to protect against heart disease.

Team leader Dr Martine Verhoeyen told the journal Nature Biotechnology that the GM tomatoes look and taste like conventional varieties.

Anti-GM campaigners say consumers should look at their lifestyle to lower the risk of heart disease rather than looking for a quick fix.

• GM tomato claimed as panacea, FWi, 31 May 2000
• GM rice deal for Third World, FWi, 16 May 2000
  
• Daily Mail 01 May 2001 page 19