The genetically modified fruits are frowned upon by some people, welcomed by others

Mar 23, 2013 17:41 GMT  ·  By

A team of scientists in Italy are now busy trying to figure out a new way of rolling out hypoallergenic apples. Rather than resorting to genetic modification, these scientists wish to analyze the apple varieties already available on the market and use them to produce hypoallergenic apples.

The idea of using the biological diversity already at their disposal for the purpose of producing hypoallergenic apples opposes the practice of genetic modification, which many consumers nowadays frown upon.

In order to develop these hypoallergenic apples, the researchers must first pin down the genetic markers that make it possible for these fruits to cause allergic reactions in some people.

Later on, the scientists hope to succeed in replacing these genetic markers with hypoallergenic proteins.

Replacing the allergens found in apples with non-allergens will be done with the help of traditional breeding techniques. The process is to be facilitated by the researchers' having found the genetic markers which cause allergies.

As explained by researcher Alessandro Botton, he and his colleagues believe that their analysis of natural apple cultivars will allow them to find hypoallergenic forms of the allergenic proteins. These hypoallergenic forms are expected to be both consumer friendly and functional.

The decision to resort to traditional breeding techniques instead of genetic modification in order to develop the hypoallergenic apples has to do with the fact that silencing an endogenous gene by means of genetic modification can harm the plant.

“You cannot know what will happen when you silence a endogenous gene. It’s not as simple as you cut out this one piece and the allergies are gone. We’re also concerned about that there are other traits that you didn’t intend to put in there,” Alessandro Botton says.

“We decided to go this 'natural route,' which had, and still has, a great unexplored potential. Why should we devote efforts and resources to genetically modify apples to achieve something that we may already have?” Alessandro Botton told the press.

Just for the record, the people who are allergic to apples mainly experience itchiness in their tongue and lips. As well as this, they might develop blisters inside their oral cavity.