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GE in biology

Crops that are Genetically Modified to produce drugs could cost the fraction of the price of drugs today, making it easier for all people to afford. In Africa and parts of Asia many people cannot afford basic drugs, therefore die from preventable diseases. GM crops could suppress pain, prevent conception and fight off infection.

“‘Pharming’ [could be] the ultimate solution to many of the worlds problems.” (Wertheim, M.)

To ‘pharm’ GM crops means that they would contain defensive drugs against disease. Scientists insert genes that instruct a plant to make a specific chemical compound. By introducing new genes, plants are in effect turned into pharmaceutical factories, expressing desired drugs in their leaves, seeds or fruit. Once scientists have spliced the genes into a plant, they can grow like any other crop and seeds can be distributed anywhere. When the initial work has been done, a scientific lab isn’t needed at all, which means that poor nations could potential...

Posted by: Janet Valerio

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