Why are GM foods potentially allergenic?
There is a risk that introducing a foreign gene into, for example, a plant may cause it to become allergenic. The product of the new gene may also induce an allergic response in individuals who have previously been sensitised to a closely related substance. This happens with non-GM material; for example, a significant proportion of individuals who are allergic to substances such as pollen go on to develop allergies to fresh fruits and vegetables. In the example given above in relation to birch pollen and apple allergies, this is because closely related (homologous) proteins are present in both pollen and the edible plant tissues of apples, hazelnuts, potato, avocados and so on. The IgE produced in response to the pollen protein can bind to the homologues in these tissues, thereby triggering an allergic reaction. Alternatively, an allergenic transgene might be able to make an individual become allergic who was not previously, so that they start to produce IgE. As known allergens are alm
