WSU working on new gluten free genotype wheat

[Erica P-G]

https://www.yaktrinews.com/news/wsu-res ... 1033273292

Had to share this article....I live an hour and a half away from this college. I wonder if it will come to fruition and actually be something edible for us ??

[tex]

Hi Erica,

That's an interesting concept, and I'm sure they'll be able to fool a lot of people, but I wouldn't consider it to be something that I would ever be interested in trying. Here's why: Wheat has to have gluten, because gluten contains the properties that make dough so uniquely suited for baking pastries (the ability to stick together when kneaded, the lightness, fluffiness, etc.). These sentences in the article tell the story:

The scientists introduced new DNA into wheat, developing a variety that contains one gluten-busting enzyme (or glutenase) from barley and another from bacteria Flavobacterium meningosepticum. These enzymes break down gluten proteins in the human digestive system.

This is a GMO (they are apparently afraid to come right out and say that) that includes a similar chemical sequence to the one used in the product Glutenease that breaks down gluten while it is going through the human digestive system. It will presumably work about as well as Glutenease, IOW not perfect, but well enough to pass the lax standards followed by the USDA (for GMO development). And well enough that most celiacs won't show clinical symptoms, even though a biopsy would show small intestinal damage below the celiac diagnostic levels (below Marsh 4 levels of damage). This will be out of the FDA's oversight, because seed breeding is regulated by USDA (but the FDA would surely approve it anyway, if it were their responsibility). Consequently, there will be no oversight on whether or not it actually works for celiacs. The tolerance level will have to be determined by the marketplace, by trial and error.

The bottom line is that the gluten will still be there in the wheat, but it will have the "Glutenease" automatically added by the plant, thanks to GMO technology. At least that's how I interpret the article.

Thanks for the link. This is fascinating stuff, for anyone who admires GMO products.

Tex

[Erica P-G]

I had to read the article a couple times...but your right Tex they are gonna have to come up with a really new breed of cat that doesn't take any glutenease in order for any of us to really feel like it might be something to consider.

It's interesting that the University is trying though....for the sake of how many people are having gut issues I hope a breakthrough in something comes along.