Levさんの おぼえた日記 - 2021年1月2日(土)

Genome-edited food has been approved for sale for the first time in Japan. A modified tomato that produces a key amino acid got the green light from a health ministry panel of experts on Friday. The substance, known as GABA, helps lower blood pressure.
Researchers at the University of Tsukuba and a biotech firm collaborated on the new tomato. They say tomatoes generally contain more GABA than other produce.
The researchers used new genome-editing technology to up the tomato's ability to make GABA. They edited its genetic material to precisely alter their tomato. Technological advances enabled the researchers to develop the tomato in just 18 months. The same result might have taken over 10 years using older methods.
The biotech firm says it plans to start distributing free seedlings for kitchen gardens in the first half of next year, with the aim of selling tomatoes as early as 2022.