Wheat's lost gene helps nutrition

BBC News ^ | Friday, 24 November 2006 | unattributed

[SunkenCiv]

Turning on a gene found in wheat could boost levels of protein, iron and zinc, scientists have discovered. The gene occurs naturally in wheat, but has largely been silenced during the evolution of domestic varieties. Researchers found evidence that turning it back on could raise levels of the nutrients in wheat grains. Writing in the journal Science, they suggest that new varieties with a fully functioning gene can be created through cross-breeding with wild wheat... The researchers identified a gene called GPC-B1, GPC standing for Grain Protein Content... The UC Davis team is already making such varieties, not by genetic engineering but through crossing domesticated wheat plants with wild relatives. The key is a technology called Marker Assisted Selection (MAS). This allows scientists to select which plants to cross using genetic information, rather than simply choosing them by their attributes, as farmers have done throughout the history of agriculture.

[SunkenCiv]

---

Wild wheat contains a more functional variety of the key gene

---

[SunkenCiv]

The Paleolithic Diet and Its Modern Implications
Chet Day | Unknown | An Interview with Loren Cordain
Posted on 03/07/2002 9:16:05 PM EST by Pharmboy
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/642324/posts

Eating tomatoes 'turns kids into criminals'
The Observer [UK] | February 23, 2003 | Jean West
Posted on 02/23/2003 10:00:33 AM EST by aculeus
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/849885/posts

Who Built The Pyramids?
Harvard Magazine | 8-17-2003 | Jonathan Shaw
Posted on 08/17/2003 8:13:35 PM EDT by blam
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/965696/posts
32 posted on 08/17/2003 8:48:18 PM EDT by dennisw
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/965696/posts?page=32#32

Farming Origins Gain 10,000 Years
BBC | 6-23-2004
Posted on 06/23/2004 7:42:34 PM EDT by blam
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1158957/posts

Ears of plenty (the story of wheat / The story of man's staple food)
The Economist | Dec 20th 2005
Posted on 12/26/2005 11:42:55 PM EST by SunkenCiv
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1547436/posts

11,000-Year-Old Grain Shakes Up Beliefs On Beginnings Of Agriculture
Jerusalem Post | 6-18-2006 | Judy Siegel-Itzkovich
Posted on 06/19/2006 4:04:07 PM EDT by blam
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1652006/posts

also related:

Billions Served (Norman Borlaug and the Green Revolution)
Reason Magazine | April 2000 | Ronald Bailey
Posted on 07/03/2002 7:50:07 PM EDT by TomB
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/710511/posts

Feeding the World Man behind ‘Green Revolution’ turns 90
The Monitor | March 25,2004
Posted on 03/28/2004 11:18:26 PM EST by SwinneySwitch
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1106960/posts

[SunkenCiv]

That's it for tonight.

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[Pontiac]

The UC Davis team is already making such varieties, not by genetic engineering but through crossing domesticated wheat plants with wild relatives. The key is a technology called Marker Assisted Selection (MAS). This allows scientists to select which plants to cross using genetic information

Now why is this different than genetic engineering?

I can see now that Political Correctness and fear of science and technology is slowing Technological advances and impeding important advances that save lives.

Fankinfood! Oh brother!

What could be done by genetic engineering in hours will instead be done in months or years.

[blam]

I wonder if the proposed changes will change the flavor?

[restornu]

Bread is the staff of life!:)

[freespirited]

The key is a technology called Marker Assisted Selection (MAS). This allows scientists to select which plants to cross using genetic information.

Now why is this different than genetic engineering?

Or eugenics? This is wheat eugenics. Only the wheat with the properties deemed most desirable shall be selected.

California, what can I tell ya.

[ApplegateRanch]

What could be done by genetic engineering in hours will instead be done in months or years.

What profitith it a seed company to produce in hours, grain that the peasants won't buy?

This process may take longer, and the resultant seed end up identical to the GM seed, but end-market acceptance is assured.

Yes, it is a form of pandering to Luddites, but in the end, we all benefit from the improved seed/grain.

[Pontiac]

Yes, it is a form of pandering to Luddites, but in the end, we all benefit from the improved seed/grain.

Increased cost.

We all end up paying more for the product.

Ignorance cost money.

[ApplegateRanch]

We all end up paying more for the product.

True, but the choices are pay more; or, have all your products utilizing it boycotted, burned, and dumped by zealots.

Be prevented from exporting to, or otherwise selling in EU.

Having African & ME nations ban it as somehow being an Imperialist/Zionist/Infidel/Capitalist plot to create impotence, disease, or other ill in the populace.

Which is cheaper in the long run?

Hint: Do not neglect to also include the years of "proving the safety" of a GM produced seed in the time to develop said seed.

No, I do not agree with the Luddites, but they are the market, and if they don't buy, then it is a near total loss.

[SunkenCiv]

Not only the flavor, I wonder if it will suck the topsoil dry of minerals? There are long-rooted plants (some fodder plants, but mostly they're considered weeds) which pull minerals from deeper down. So the next thing to do will be making longer-rooted wheat. ;') And corn that fixes its own nitrogen is still just a dream...

[aimhigh]

Now why is this different than genetic engineering?

If you can't see the difference between crossbreeding and genetic engineering, go back to school.

[TX Bluebonnet]

I remember when I read the Atkins book, he said bread used to be much more nutritious and contained much more protein (25% maybe?)

[SunkenCiv]

I don't know about more protein. And how long ago? Wheat's been around a while.

Farming Origins Gain 10,000 Years
BBC | 6-23-2004
Posted on 06/23/2004 7:42:34 PM EDT by blam
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1158957/posts

also possibly of interest:

Atkins diet beats low-fat fare
MSNBC | 11-18-02 | AP
Posted on 11/18/2002 8:32:27 PM EST by Paradox
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/791475/posts

Dental Detectives Reveal Diet If Ancient Human Ancestors
National Geographic | 11-9-2006 | Sean Markey
Posted on 11/09/2006 7:59:40 PM EST by blam
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1735933/posts

Early human relative ate prehistoric smorgasbord
Reuters | Thu Nov 9, 2006 | Will Dunham
Posted on 11/09/2006 7:22:34 PM EST by Pharmboy
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1735900/posts

[SunkenCiv]

GGG managers are SunkenCiv, StayAt HomeMother & Ernest_at_the_Beach	join list or digest view topics view or post blog bookmark post a topic subscribe
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