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Article: Grass is greener on the GM side for hay fever sufferers
- Article from:
- The Scotsman
- Article date:
- June 19, 2003
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright 2003 The Scotsman. Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
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HAY fever sufferers were yesterday given the hope of relief after
grasses that cause the condition were genetically modified by
Australian scientists to remove two allergens.
Field trials of GM perennial and Italian ryegrasses are due to
start in the United States later this year. Ryegrasses are the main
cause of hay fever in Europe, and the types which have been
genetically modified account for 70 per cent of grass seed sold in
the European Union.
News of the development follows official estimates that this year
could be the worst on record for Britain's 12 million hay fever
sufferers.
Safety experts have also warned drivers that hay fever could cause
one in 20 accidents over the summer.