GMOs against caries

2005/01/01 Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Osasuna
• Medikuntza

In the United States, you begin to try a method to definitively end cavities. This method consists of genetic modification of the first causal agent of caries, the bacterium Streptococcus mutans.

This bacterium metabolizes the sugars contained in food and produces lactic acid. The acid damages the enamel of the teeth and penetrates the rest of the bacteria present in the mouth. However, the genetically modified does not produce acid, so it does not allow the formation of cavities.

In addition, instead of lactic acid, it produces a substance that destroys normal Streptococcus mutans, allowing transgenic bacteria to replace normal. The method has been tested on animals and is now being tested on humans.