Genetically modified soybeans and food allergies.
Allergenic reactions to proteins expressed in GM crops has been one of the prominent concerns among biotechnology critics and a concern of regulatory agencies. Soybeans like many plants have intrinsic allergens that present problems for sensitive people. Current GM crops, including soybean, have not been shown to add any additional allergenic risk beyond the intrinsic risks already present. Biotechnology can be used to characterize and eliminate allergens naturally present in crops. Biotechnology has been used to remove a major allergen in soybean demonstrating that genetic modification can be used to reduce allergenicity of food and feed. This provides a model for further use of GM approaches to eliminate allergens.
Herman
Eliot M
EM
Plant Genetics Unit, USDA/ARS, Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, 975 N. Warson Road, St Louis, MO 63132, USA. eherman@danforthcenter.org
D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects; D001709:Biotechnology; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity / Q000209:etiology*; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000235:genetics; D013025:Glycine max / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000235:genetics
D000485:Allergens