Tobacco plants with human genes about to be field-tested
June 14, 1999
Web posted at: 1:27 PM EDT (1727 GMT)
(AP) -- A tobacco plant with human genes is about to be set out in Canada.
The plants with human genes will be transplanted to a Canadian government test plot. Canadian scientists says it's possibly the first field test ever of plants with human genes. Scientists hope the bioengineered plants will provide a breakthrough in producing more affordable medication.
The plants contain the human gene that produces a protein called interleukin-ten. Scientists say this protein seems to fight inflammation. And they say the bioengineering could create treatments for inflammatory bowel disorders.
The drug is expensive to manufacture, and the hope is that it could be cheaper to grow.
Gina "Nanogirl" Miller
Nanotechnology Industries
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