Genetically Engineered Plants to Produce Human Milk Sugars for Healthier Infant Formula

Genetically engineered plants could soon produce human milk sugars, making infant formula healthier and more affordable. Scientists have developed a method to genetically modify plants to produce human milk oligosaccharides, which could lead to more nutritious and cheaper infant formulas that mimic the benefits of breast milk more closely. Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley and the University of California, Davis have made significant progress in bridging this gap by genetically engineering plants to produce these crucial sugars, known as human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs). Their study, recently published in the journal Nature Food, could help create a healthier, more affordable infant formula.