Do we need more research on neurolathyrism

It is nearly four decades since the discovery of ODAP as the major neurotoxic constituent of Lathyrus sativus seeds. However, several basic questions relating to neurolathyrism still remain unanswered. We are unable to convince several governments to ban the cultivation of the pulse and to take on a more serious approach to introducing the low toxin varieties. Meanwhile, farmers continue to grow the traditional varieties and the consumption of the pulse continues. We still do not have a straightforward method to produce a convincing animal model to study the disease. We do not even have an acceptable mechanism for the toxicity of ODAP. While we are concerned that the disease affects the poorest of the poor, we do not know how the majority of the Lathyrus consuming population escape from the disease. The precise enzymatic pathway and its characterisation for the biosynthesis of ODAP are still needed before genetic engineering principles can be applied to produce genetically modified ODAP free Lathyrus. It is rather intriguing how these seemingly simple questions relating to a human disease of nutritional origin remain unsolved. I am certain that there are reasons that most Lathyrus researchers would agree upon.