Japan Starts Sale of Genome-Edited High-GABA Tomato isaaa.org - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from isaaa.org Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
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A tomato made with CRISPR/Cas9 has been approved for growing and consumption in Japan. The tomato Sicilian Rouge High GABA” was developed by the University of Tsukuba and startup Sanatech Seed. Thanks to a tweaking of the genes, the variety features five times the normal amount of GABA (Gamma-AminoButyric Acid). GABA is one type of amino acid that has recently been attracting attention as a functional component. GABA is expected to assist with relaxation and help to lower blood pressure, the researchers explain.
In April 2018, Sanatech was established as a venture from the University of Tsukuba, to commercialize genome-edited tomatoes that accumulate high amounts of GABA. The word Sana in the company name means health in Latin. We hope to make people healthier with our product, they say.