Eloise Horsfield
SNEEZING fits and streaming eyes could soon be a thing of the past for hay fever sufferers following the creation of genetically modified geraniums.
The pollen-free plants, developed by Spanish scientists, are engineered to live longer and pose no risk to natural varieties because they are sterile.
The modified plants will allow the estimated six million hay fever sufferers in Spain to enjoy their gardens without worrying about the thousands of grains of pollen each plant is capable of producing.
“The use of engineered male sterility will be especially useful to eliminate pollen allergens and the plants are likely to be popular with both recreational gardeners and producers,” said a spokesman for the Institute of Molecular Biology in Valencia.
Geraniums have been grown in Europe since the 17th century and are now one of the most popular garden flowers in Spain.
The development comes just months after an ‘allergy-free’ garden was showcased at Chelsea Flower Show.
The plot avoided plants pollinated by the wind – which are responsible for making you sneeze – instead using only plants pollinated by bees.
This should really help the insects. Bad idea.
Great news for the seed suppliers too. Maybe even patented?