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Local Scientists Growing Cancer Fighting Vegetables |
by Chris Justus
This story was aired on FOX Charlotte on September 12, 2011.
(View the Video/Original Story)
With new technology scientists at the North Carolina Research Campus in Kannapolis have found a way to grow a healthier fruit and vegetable. “Now that we have all this technology we might even find new vitamins in fruits we eat on a daily basis,” said Dr. Ivette Guzman a research associate.
Broccoli is one vegetable researchers hope they can pack with ten times more health benefit than what’s in grocery stores now. “Eventually what we’d like to do is develop these lines that have not only higher levels of these compounds but higher vitamins and have other compounds, so essentially a super broccoli,” said Dr. Allan Brown a Molecular Geneticist.
This is possible by identifying, extracting and then multiplying the most nutrient rich part of broccoli. Once researchers have identified just the right compounds they’re able to come to this growth chamber and breed a healthier broccoli plant, then it goes to the farm.
The super broccoli has properties that have been shown to lower rates of prostate cancer, heart disease and macular degeneration. Dr. Allan brown has spent most of his career working on this project and hopes it makes a difference, “I mean we’re not going to cure cancer here, but if we can contribute to lower rates of cancer, if we can even help a few people from getting lung cancer or prostate cancer by having a healthier broccoli that’s a pay off for me.”
Dr. Brown says the super broccoli is about 3-5 years away from being grown at local farms and available at the grocery store.
