Cure for hay fever? Genetically modified rice that does just that in clinical trials

After more than 20 years since research kicked off, a variety of genetically modified rice designed to alleviate cedar pollen symptoms [like hay fever] is finally progressing toward clinical application.

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Hay fever is caused by allergies brought on by the immune system overreacting to pollen coming into contact with the body. Researchers genetically manipulated the existing Kitaake rice variety, which served as the base, to produce rice with allergens found in pollen to combat this.

This builds on the idea that instead of causing further distress, regularly consuming rice with a [few] allergens that cause hay fever would reduce sensitivity to it over time and suppress allergy symptoms.

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At the same time, he stressed that incorporating different genes into rice might make it possible to use the food staple to help with other allergies as well.

This is an excerpt. Read the original post here