Posted on 09/09/2006 2:04:33 PM PDT by Zakeet
Cures for a wide range of food allergies are less than a decade away, scientists said yesterday. By modifying the proteins in foods that cause the reactions, researchers have created treatments that can safely desensitise the body's immune system.
"Therapies for food allergy will be on the market within seven to 10 years," said Ronald van Ree, of the University of Amsterdam, who is leading work on the development of treatments.
(Snip)
Because the allergens are well known, he was able to artificially produce them, but with a difference. "We can change the molecules so that IgE antibodies do not bind to the allergen any more."
Dr Van Ree produced altered versions of the allergen in apples and found reactions dropped by a factor of 10.
(Excerpt) Read more at guardian.co.uk ...
It would be interesting to hear the opinions of those with far more medical training as to whether this is hype, hope or healing.
Desensitizing the immune system will have obvious detrimental effects to anyone subjected to this 'treatment'. I hope it works for those who suffer but I have my doubts.
It's of course another horribly written MSM science article -
It's pretty clear it's not a general desensitization of the whole immune system, just desensitization to the allergen in question.
Looks like it's actually an attempt to make hypoallergenic versions of foods people are allergic to or might become allergic to.
Some people just grow out of them. I used to be allergic to pineapple (I would break out in hives), but now, I enjoy it.
Maybe it will be safe to bring peanut butter sandwiches to school again.
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