What if vegetables
never had dull colors and fuzzy skin or fruits that lack of flavor the produce
aisle of the future could offer plant products that are designed for creative
cooks and fussy eaters. In a review article published July 19 in the
journal “Trends
in Plant Science”, two
food researchers describe how new breeding technologies have the potential to
enhance the shape, size, color, and health benefits of produce, as well as to
inform conventional breeding programs.
In their
review, the authors describe how fast breeding with CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing
doesn't rely on the addition of a new DNA sequence as is often the case with
other genetically modified crops. Rather, these breeding technologies allow
scientists to edit existing genes, particularly transcription factor genes
called MYBs, which control many of a plant's key consumer traits. Information
from these experiments can also be used to inform selection criteria in
conventional breeding programs.
"MYBs
often regulate the compounds that generate a fruit or vegetables, wow factor
its color," Allan says. "These compounds are also associated with
important health benefits such as lowering cardiovascular disease or acting as
vitamins. By using MYBs to elevate these compounds to create a richer color, we
can make produce both more appealing to consumers and more beneficial for the
human diet." I think this is a wonderful effort. Anything we can do to
lower the risk of disease and overall improve everyone’s health is a win.

It is very important to make people want to eat fruits and vegetables. In today's society there are so many unhealthy options and most people aren't getting their daily intake of fruits and vegetables. So even though, many are opposed to changing natural food, it is important to create fruits and vegetables that folks will actually want to eat.
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