Genetically modified plants which produce essential omega-3 fish oils
could be the only way to ensure people get enough of these nutrients,
according to a major EU-funded study.
The plants, which would be used as feed for farm animals, could
increase omega-3 in human diets without adding to pressure on rapidly
declining fish stocks.

Long-chain fatty acids called EPA and DHA, found mainly in oily fish
such as tuna, salmon and mackerel, can give protection against
cardiovascular diseases and slow mental decline in elderly people and are
essential for the healthy development of a baby's brain in the womb.

Experts recommend that we eat about 450mg of omega-3 oils every day,
but most adults manage barely half that amount. Among teenagers, the figure
drops to just 100mg a day. Low-income families get about 50mg a day less
than average. To address the health problems that could result from a lack
of these essential fatty acids, a five-year EU-funded project called Lipgene
brought together almost 200 scientists and economists to look for ways to
increase the levels of the oils in people's diets. An analysis carried out
for the project found that the costs of increasing omega-3 consumption
across Europe would be paid back many times over in reduced healthcare
costs.

Ian Givens, of the University of Reading, one of the Lipgene
scientists, said that part of the answer lay in increasing omega-3 fish oils
in popular foods. Only 30% of Britons regularly eat oily fish, but 80% eat
poultry. "The target we set ourselves was for a 200g portion of meat to
contain 300mg of EPA and DPA together - we've achieved that. If that
strategy was adopted on a widespread basis, that poultry meat in the amounts
it's currently consumed would provide the population with 120-130mg a day."

Givens increased the omega-3 levels in his chickens by adding the
oils, taken from fish, to their feed. However, this method may not be
sustainable given the depletion of fish stocks around the world.

Johnathan Napier, of Rothamsted Research Institute in Hertfordshire,
said that the only sustainable way to increase omega-3 in people's diets was
to turn to GM technology. "There are no naturally occurring plant species
that have the capacity to synthesise these long-chain omega-3 fatty acids,
which is why we have to take the GM route - there is no alternative."

EPA and DHA are normally made by microscopic marine algae which are
then eaten by small fish, passing the fatty acids into the food chain.
Napier took genes from algae and inserted them into linseed and oilseed rape
crops so that these produced the oils. The GM plants can be used as feed for
chickens or other animals. Napier said that fields of GM crops for animal
feed could be grown within five years.

Another advantage would be a source of fish oils free from mercury
contamination. The scientists said concerns among the public about GM crops
would need to be addressed, but Givens was confident of support. "When the
issues about sustainability of fish oils and the worldwide picture becomes
clearer, and also when people are able to see what the benefits to them are,
I suspect mindsets will change."

Napier said that environmentalists would need to consider the
sustainability aspect. "If you're reducing the pressure on natural fish
stocks, that's got to be a benefit. You can't always be a nay-sayer, you've
got to come up with a positive solution."


[www.guardian.co.uk]