How Scientists create tomatoes genetically edited to bolster vitamin D levels

Scientists have developed a genetically engineered tomato, each containing a large amount of provitamin D3 - a precursor to vitamin D - such as two eggs or a teaspoon of tuna. External tomato field testing is expected to begin in the UK next month, and if successful, could provide a valuable source of vitamin D. About 13-19% of the British population have low levels of vitamin D, which is needed to maintain healthy bones, teeth and muscles. Our main source of this nutrient comes from exposing the skin to sunlight, which converts provitamin D3 into an active form of vitamin D that our bodies can use. However, in the UK there is only enough sunlight to achieve this between April and September, which means we have to rely on food sources - such as fatty fish, red meat, egg yolks and mushrooms - or supplements. This is especially challenging for vegans, as many ingredients contain lanolin from wool. "Tomatoes genetically engineered to accumulate provitamin D3 in levels above the recommended dietary guidelines can lead to better health for many especially as tomatoes are the most accessible and easily eaten food," said Guy Poppy, a professor of natural sciences at the University of Southampton. Tomato plants were created by making small changes in the existing tomato genetics using a planning system called Crispr-Cas9. "It's like a pair of cells, which you can use to extract the smallest gene to develop a desirable trait in plants much faster than the normal breeding process, and without introducing any foreign DNA to other species," said Jie Li at the John Innes Center in Norwich, who led the study.In this case, their focus was on an enzyme found in tomato plants that normally converts provitamin D3 into cholesterol. By altering the enzyme, researchers were able to block the process, which means provitamin D3 is collected in the fruit of tomatoes and leaves. They calculated that the amount of provitamin D3 in one tomato fruit - if converted to vitamin D3 - would be equal to the levels present in two medium-sized eggs or 28 grams of tuna. To convert this into an active vitamin D3, the fruit will still need to be exposed to UVB light, or it can grow outdoors, something researchers plan to test in future field trials. The study was published in Nature Plants. Natural vitamin D foods such as fish, eggs, cheese, milk, butter, mushrooms, canned sardines Study to determine if vitamin D should be added to food Learn more "It is a good example of the use of genetic engineering technology to bring about specific plant changes," said Prof Gideon Henderson, senior science adviser at the Department of Environmental Affairs, Food and Rural Affairs. These "precision" plants are the subject of a bill, set out in the Queen's speech, that would allow genetically modified plants to be treated differently from genetically modified organisms (GMOs) - their cultivation governed by strict European laws. that the UK hopes to get out of it. "It is an example of a kind of product that can go beyond traditional GMO law, but it will do little by little under the current regulatory environment and it could take decades to navigate the system," Henderson said. Advertisement Unlike GMOs, tomato plants do not contain genes from other organisms and may have been created by selective breeding - albeit slowly. Such plants will be allowed under the proposed genetic precision breeding bill, which the environment secretary has predicted will be passed into law this year, possibly making the first planned food available by 2023. Professor Cathie Martin at the John Innes Center, who oversaw the study, said it shows the potential for genetic engineering to be used to improve food nutrition, and that the same approach could cause similar changes in any type of elite tomato. "This means that companies can introduce this feature to their legally protected plants, or they can be introduced to [tomato varieties] Gardener's Delight, where there is no [patent] protection," he said. "[This process] may also work well for other solar-grown foods such as peppers, peppers, potatoes and aubertites." Another benefit of farmers was that they could sell leaves or unripe fruits to supplement producers for digestion of vitamin D tablets, Martin said. … We have a little kind of questioning. Millions turn to the Guardian for open, private, quality news every day, and students in 180 countries around the world now support us financially. 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