Successful Initial Safety Tests For Genetically-modified Rice That Fights Allergy

In a first-of-its-kind advance toward the next generation of **genetically modified foods** — intended to improve consumers' health — researchers in Japan are reporting that a new **transgenic rice** designed to fight a common pollen allergy appears safe in animal studies. Fumio Takaiwa and colleagues note that the first generation of genetically-modified crops was designed to help keep crops weed and insect free. The next generation of transgenic crops is being developed to directly benefit human health. This includes veggies and grains that produce higher levels of **nutrients**, such as vitamins and minerals, or even medicines and **vaccines**. Like the first generation of transgenic foods, however, researchers are anxiously trying to determine whether foods produced from these "biopharmaceutical" crops will be safe for humans and the environment. More on "Medicalnewstoday":[ http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156117.php]

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