GE Mouthwash

Genetically-altered mouthwash could stop tooth decay
Last Updated Mon, 18 Feb 2002 13:16:20

BOSTON - American scientists say they've developed a mouthwash that
will stop tooth decay.

Details of the research were presented to the American Association for
the Advancement of Science annual meeting in Boston.

Researchers say they've developed a genetically modified spray which
could be on the market by next year. Clinical trials are slated to
begin soon in the U.S. and Britain.

Tooth decay is caused by a bacterium in the mouth which turns sugar
into lactic acid. It is this acid which affects the teeth.

Jeffrey Hillman of the University of Florida says he has genetically
altered the bacterium, called Streptococcus mutans, into a form which
does not produce lactic acid and therefore does not cause tooth decay.

Hillman's team claims the spray mouthwash lasts a lifetime. For less
than $200, it would be squirted in the mouth in a one-time,
five-minute treatment.

Experiments on animals have shown the modified bacterium took the
place of the bad bacterium once it was in the mouth.

The GM bacterium did not cause tooth decay even when rats were fed a
high-sugar diet.

Hillman says the altered bacterium is safe.

"I would not even begin to imagine distributing it if I couldn't be
completely confident it was safe for use by the general public."

Written by CBC News Online staff