Allergies to transgenic foods - questions of policy

Article Abstract:

Genetic engineering of food plants may carry allergic properties of the donor source into the recipient plant, and current Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations are inadequate to protect the public from exposure to the resultant allergenic foods. A recent study examined the effect of introducing Brazil nut genes into soy beans, which was done in order to increase the amount of an amino acid in animal feeds. Blood serum from individuals allergic to Brazil nuts reacted strongly to the altered soy beans and skin-prick tests were also positive. The FDA only requires safety testing and labeling for the 8 to 10 most commonly allergenic foods. In addition, many genetically engineered foods use microorganisms as donors. Their allergenic potential is unknown and untestable. Consumer groups are lobbying for increased regulations, but none have been implemented, and none are likely to be given current governmental policies favoring deregulation. This means consumer protection depends on voluntary industrial self-regulation.

Editorial, Plant genetic engineering

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Identification of a Brazil-nut allergen in transgenic soybeans

Article Abstract:

Transplantation of genes from one plant species into another may introduce the allergic properties of the donor plant into the recipient plant. Genes from Brazil nuts have been transplanted into soy beans so that the soy plant will produce an amino acid not normally present. Researchers drew blood from persons allergic to Brazil nuts and compared antibody reactivity to Brazil nuts, genetically altered soy beans, and unaltered soy beans with antibody reactivity in blood serum from nonallergic persons. They also performed skin-prick tests using these same substances. The antibody reactivity to altered soy beans was comparable to that of Brazil nuts in allergic persons, but no reaction was seen to unaltered soy beans. Serum from nonallergic persons was nonreactive to all three. Three persons allergic to Brazil nuts but not soybeans had positive skin-prick tests to Brazil nuts and altered soy beans but no reaction to unaltered soy beans. Three nonallergic persons had negative skin-prick tests to all three substances.

Plant genetics

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Treatment of allergic asthma with monoclonal anti-IgE antibody

Article Abstract:

A monoclonal antibody against immunoglobulin E (IgE) called rhuMAb-E25 may be effective in treating asthma. Monoclonal antibodies are directed against a very specific target. Researchers randomly assigned 317 people with asthma to take one of two dosages of rhuMAb-E25 or a placebo for 20 weeks. The monoclonal antibody was effective in reducing symptoms and allowed many patients to decrease their dose of corticosteroids or even stop taking them altogether. Blood IgE levels dropped 95% in the patients taking the monoclonal antibody.

Drug therapy, Asthma, Monoclonal antibodies

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