What's Up Doc? Carrots Created Containing Hep B Vaccine
May 13, 2002
BERLIN - A team of German researchers have created modified carrots that contain a hepatitis B vaccination. After experimenting with tomatoes and potatoes, the scientists say carrots may be the most efficient way to prevent the liver-attacking virus.
Rather than following the expensive, traditional method of a three-injection vaccine, plant and virus specialist have grow thousands of carrots that contain he hepatitis B surface antigen.
The viral disease has infected an estimated 350 million globally and may kill more than 1 million annually.
Carrots were selected because they can be consumed raw, can be planted in many climates and are easy to store and transport. The report will be released in the Dutch journal Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture.
