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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Scientists unveil 'supercarrot' | Scientists unveil 'supercarrot' |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Scientists in the US say they have created a genetically-engineered carrot that provides extra calcium. | Scientists in the US say they have created a genetically-engineered carrot that provides extra calcium. |
| They hope that adding the vegetable to a normal diet could help ward off conditions such as brittle bone disease and osteoporosis. | They hope that adding the vegetable to a normal diet could help ward off conditions such as brittle bone disease and osteoporosis. |
| Someone eating the new carrot absorbs 41% more calcium than if they ate the old, the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences study suggests. | Someone eating the new carrot absorbs 41% more calcium than if they ate the old, the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences study suggests. |
| The calcium-charged vegetable still needs to go through many safety trials. | The calcium-charged vegetable still needs to go through many safety trials. |
| "These carrots were grown in carefully monitored and controlled environments," said Professor Kendal Hirschi, part of the team at the Baylor College of Medicine in Texas. | "These carrots were grown in carefully monitored and controlled environments," said Professor Kendal Hirschi, part of the team at the Baylor College of Medicine in Texas. |
| Much more research needs to be conducted before this would be available to consumers Professor Kendal HirschiBaylor College of Medicine | Much more research needs to be conducted before this would be available to consumers Professor Kendal HirschiBaylor College of Medicine |
| "Much more research needs to be conducted before this would be available to consumers." | "Much more research needs to be conducted before this would be available to consumers." |
| But the scientists nonetheless hope their carrot could ultimately offer a healthier way of consuming sufficient quantities of the mineral. | But the scientists nonetheless hope their carrot could ultimately offer a healthier way of consuming sufficient quantities of the mineral. |
| Dairy foods are the primary dietary source of calcium but some are allergic to these while others are told to avoid consuming too much due to their high fat content. | Dairy foods are the primary dietary source of calcium but some are allergic to these while others are told to avoid consuming too much due to their high fat content. |
| A gene has been altered in the carrot which allows the calcium within it to cross more easily over the plant membranes. | A gene has been altered in the carrot which allows the calcium within it to cross more easily over the plant membranes. |
| On its own, the carrot would not meet the daily requirement of 1,000mg of calcium, but if other vegetables were similarly engineered, intake could be increased dramatically. | On its own, the carrot would not meet the daily requirement of 1,000mg of calcium, but if other vegetables were similarly engineered, intake could be increased dramatically. |
| Changing colour | Changing colour |
| It is not the first time the carrot has been tampered with. | It is not the first time the carrot has been tampered with. |
| The orange colour we know is the result of Dutch cultivation in the 17th Century, when patriotic growers turned a vegetable which was then purple into the colour of the national flag. | |
| Nor is it the first vegetable to receive a healthy make-over. | Nor is it the first vegetable to receive a healthy make-over. |
| Genetic engineering is being used to develop potatoes with more starch and less water so that they absorb less oil when fried, producing healthier chips or crisps. | Genetic engineering is being used to develop potatoes with more starch and less water so that they absorb less oil when fried, producing healthier chips or crisps. |
| Work is also being carried out on broccoli so that it contains more sulforaphane, a chemical which may help people ward off cancer. | Work is also being carried out on broccoli so that it contains more sulforaphane, a chemical which may help people ward off cancer. |
| Professor Susan Fairweather-Tait of the University of East Anglia said genetically engineering foods to increase their nutrient content was becoming an increasingly important avenue. | Professor Susan Fairweather-Tait of the University of East Anglia said genetically engineering foods to increase their nutrient content was becoming an increasingly important avenue. |
| "People are being told to eat more modestly to prevent weight gain, and many diets now no longer contain everything we need. | "People are being told to eat more modestly to prevent weight gain, and many diets now no longer contain everything we need. |
| "There has been great resistance to genetic engineering, but gradually we are moving away from the spectre of 'Frankenstein food' and starting to appreciate the health benefits it may bring." | "There has been great resistance to genetic engineering, but gradually we are moving away from the spectre of 'Frankenstein food' and starting to appreciate the health benefits it may bring." |