科學家發現致使榴蓮發臭的基因大綱

Researchers have found an odour gene which gives the thorny fruit its notoriously pungent scent.

近日，研究人員在榴蓮裏面發現了一種氣味基因，正是此基因賦予了這種多刺水果難聞的刺鼻氣味。

The discovery meant the possibility of creating "odourless or milder-tasting" fruits in future, the scientists said.

科學家們表示，這一發現意味着在未來我們可以創造出“無臭或吃起來適中”的水果。

It has sparked mixed feelings from durian aficionados, who worship its signature rank smell.

但是這也使得那些喜歡這種難聞臭味的榴蓮愛好者有了異議。

A durian without its smell is nothing but an empty shell with no essence, wrote Singaporean Richie Liang on Facebook, who also compared "a durian without its unique smell" to "a human being who has lost his or her soul".

來自新加坡的Richie Liang在臉書上寫道：“沒有味道的榴蓮就是一個沒有本質的空殼”。他還把沒有那種獨特氣味的榴蓮比喻成一個沒有靈魂的人。

The researchers said the durian's distinctive odour served an important purpose to it in the wild: helping to attract animals to eat it and disperse its seeds.

研究人員表示，榴蓮的特殊臭味在野生環境中起到了重要作用：它有助於吸引動物並吃掉它，進而散播種子。

The fruit is loved and loathed in equal measure. Eating durian is banned in many outdoor spaces throughout Singapore and carrying it is prohibited on public transport because of its smell.

榴蓮被人們喜愛，但同樣也被人厭惡。因爲它的味道，新加坡的許多戶外空間是禁止吃榴蓮的，並且在公共交通工具上也是禁止攜帶的。

But its fans remain fiercely protective over retaining its controversial scent.

但榴蓮的粉絲們仍然在保留其爭議味道上進行着堅決保護。

"What's durian if it's odourless and tasteless? Yuck," said Manfred Man, adding that he would "never mess with nature".

Manfred Man稱：“如果沒有臭味、沒有味道，那還是榴蓮麼？想想都噁心！”他還表示自己“永遠不會打亂自然規律”。