Attack of the Cancer Killing Tomatoes and other True Biotech Tales

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Researched by Industrialinfo.com (Industrial Information Resources, Incorporated; Houston, Texas). Progressing from the initial wave of biotech plant developments, which were aimed at pest and weed management, research is now seriously heading into somewhat unbelievable territory. Groups of researchers across the globe are working on developing fruits and vegetables that take the next step in being healthy. These new foods may actually prevent or cure a multitude of diseases.

Among the products in developments are a cancer-fighting tomato that has been under development for a decade by Purdue University and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service. With more than three times the amount of the antioxidant lycopene compared with conventional varieties, the new tomato may not only lower the risk of breast and prostrate cancer, but also help prevent heart disease. As often is the case in new discoveries of any kind, the health benefit of this tomato was uncovered while researchers were trying to prolong its shelf life. Lycopene is what makes tomatoes red and heating the tomato is what appears to release lycopene into the human body. This could be achieved through processing the tomatoes for foods such as ketchup, sauce and paste.

The National Institute of Education in Singapore has biotech researchers working on developing a new type of lettuce that is fortified with resveratrol, the ingredient in red grapes and red wine that is believed to help prevent heart disease and cancer by increasing levels of good cholesterol and lowering levels of bad cholesterol. Success in adding resveratrol to lettuce has spurred them on to experiment with the genetically enhancement of other fruits and vegetables as well, including spinach, cabbage, watermelons and strawberries.

Bananas and potatoes have been developed that contain a vaccine for Human Papillomavirus (HPV), one of the most prevalent sexually transmitted diseases and the cause of almost all cervical cancer in women. Researchers with the University of Rochester have tested varieties equipped with the vaccine and work is now entering the third stage of clinical evaluation. A biotech team led by Dr. Robert Rose at the University of Rochester is working on the development of a vaccine to prevent HPV that shows true promise for actual future use.