GM pea causes allergic damage in mice

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NewScientist.com - NEWSFLASH------GM pea causes allergic damage in miceFor the first time, a genetically modified plant has been shown to cause inflammation in animals – the 10-year project to develop pest-resistant peas is droppedResearchers took the gene for a protein capable of killing pea weevil pests from the common bean and transferred it into the pea. When extracted from the bean, this protein does not cause an allergic reaction in mice or people.But when the protein is expressed in the pea, its structure is subtly different to the original in the bean. This structural change probably caused the unexpected immune effects. The researchers are calling for improvements in screening requirements for genetically engineered plants. Read the full story: http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn8347Is GM the future? Learn more in our continually updated GM Organisms special report:http://www.newscientist.com/channel/life/gm-foodScience and technology news and features updated daily at http://www.newscientist.comSubscribe to New Scientist magazine and get 4 FREE ISSUES at: http://www.qssa.co.uk/new_scientist/default.asp?promcode=2169-------NewScientist.com's Newsflash emails are an additional free service to from NewScientist.com e-zines. Newsflash emails come from NewScientist's online daily news service, and stories are available exclusively online. The alerts are sent on an occasional basis when a story of especially high interest breaks.If you would prefer not to receive Newsflashes from NewScientist.com, please click on the following link:http://www.prq0.com/quickstart/LeadCapture/Display_LeadCapture.asp?e=XbcbdeacBD-RaA & oid=UcjjbCBPlease note that replies to this email address will not be read. To receive a response to your message, please email us using the form on this page: http://www.newscientist.com/contactperson.ns?recipient=wmtr