Blue roses genetically engineered
Blue roses have for years been the stuff of legend, with mystical folklore claiming they can give their owner eternal youth.
Japanese scientists will certainly hope that is true after spending the best part of 20 years trying to genetically engineer one.
Scientists say they finally achieved it by taking the delphinidin gene from a petunia, which creates the blue colour, and inserting it into a mauve rose.
Then again, having spent so long on it, the botanical loving boffins from Suntory could probably have developed one with pictures of Britney Spears on the petals.
The flower will go on sale next year and Suntory hopes the market for blue flowers will be worth more than $300 million ... but if you want one on the cheap may we suggest sticking a white rose in some blue food dye.
The blue rose was launched at the International Flower Expo in Tokyo and others included glow-in-the-dark roses that have been genetically modified to light up in the dark.
Link:
International Flower Expo
Blue roses have for years been the stuff of legend, with mystical folklore claiming they can give their owner eternal youth.Japanese scientists will certainly hope that is true after spending the best part of 20 years trying to genetically engineer one.
Scientists say they finally achieved it by taking the delphinidin gene from a petunia, which creates the blue colour, and inserting it into a mauve rose.
Then again, having spent so long on it, the botanical loving boffins from Suntory could probably have developed one with pictures of Britney Spears on the petals.
The flower will go on sale next year and Suntory hopes the market for blue flowers will be worth more than $300 million ... but if you want one on the cheap may we suggest sticking a white rose in some blue food dye.
The blue rose was launched at the International Flower Expo in Tokyo and others included glow-in-the-dark roses that have been genetically modified to light up in the dark.
Link:
International Flower Expo
