A root-beer bouquet, anyone?
Following centuries of humans breeding for bigger and prettier varieties, scientists at the University of Florida in Gainesville accidentally discovered the genes to make flowers smell nicer. They found the 12 or 13 unknown genes after sequencing the genome for petunias.
Some tweaking and amplification eventually showed that the genes allow petunias to create scents ranging from rose to wintergreen. And yes, root beer showed up in the batch.
Enhanced fragrances could also lead to better-tasting fruits and vegetables, given the link between scent and taste. Such genetically-engineered varieties won’t arrive for perhaps years, and only after the Food and Drug Administration gives its seal of approval.
Scientists have already engineered flowers to help produce insulin for diabetics and offset carbon emissions. But sometimes people just want to stop and smell the GM blossoms.
[via Discovery News]
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