蜜芽传媒

There are many reasons people don't want to take vaccines - but one of the most basic is that some people are just scared of needles and jabs.

But how about eating them?

Scientists at the University of California are experimenting with applying nanoparticles to lettuce and other leafy greens to deliver vaccine DNA into the plant cells where it can replicate.

Messenger RNA or mRNA technology, used in COVID-19 vaccines, works by teaching our cells to recognize and protect us against infectious diseases.

Professor Juan Pablo Giraldo from UC Riverside led the research. He says they want one plant to produce enough vaccine to protect one person - but that it's not transferrable to sweets or treats to inspire children.

"The leaves are what contains the cell structures to synthesize the vaccines. We think this technology could apply to not only spinach and lettuce but other leafy greens that are part of food diets in different parts of the world and are culturally accepted."

(Photo: A child eating some kale. Credit: Getty Images)

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