How the controversial plant could be used for good

Tobacco kills 8 million people Every year around the world, but imagine whether it can be used to make medicines. This idea is not unheard – Tobaco has been used as one herbal medicine Last. But now, in Genetic engineering ageTobacco can be well -being of the earth and the future of drug production beyond it.

European explorers first faced tobacco in the US during the 16th century. There, indigenous people used it for centuries, either as a treatment for any diseases like breathing, ingestion or top, headache, cold, wound and stomach upset.

Tobacco Became a panacea In the 16th century in Europe, almost everything was determined. However, the most bizarre application will probably be a cure for symptoms of sinking in the 18th century. Tobacco smoke enema kit The Tems was kept by the River in London. Should anyone fall, they will wake up with a shock with one of these kits. The thinking was that tobacco smoke would provide heat and excitement.

While there are very few evidence for tobacco to be naturally medicinal, it was harmful saw Also in the 18th century.

Many of our modern medicines come from plants, such as cancer Chemotherapy taxol from Yew TreesOr heart medicine Digoxine from fox glovesThese drugs are small molecules. But if we want anything more complex like protein-based medicine Like insulin Or a vaccine, the equipment involved is very high technology,

Most of these more complex drugs are a type of genetic engineering products called. Recreational technologyFor example, the genetic material required to create insulin is combined with the genetic material of a cell. The cell (which can be bacteria, yeast or animal cells) will now produce insulin together All your proteinIt is very much liked when a child secretly slips a chocolate bar with the rest of his parents’ shopping.

Technology is exceptionally expensive) US $ 2 billion, or £ 1.5 billion) Due to the huge vats or boreeraters required to grow recreational cells in sterile conditions. This makes it difficult for low -income countries to access this type of pharmaceuticals.

This is the place where tobacco can make a difference. Currently, like the reclamation cells we use, plants can be genetically engineered to produce pharmaceuticals. However, plants only need to grow soil, water and sunlight. Tobacco is the largest leafy non-food crop. It is very responsible for genetic amendment, and when it comes to producing protein, it is a complete power-house, whether it is their own or what we have introduced. This, combined with their high biomass, makes them Most vigorous plant For drug production.

It can be indigenous for the US and Australia, but it is a flexible plant and can be grown all over the world. Thanks to the ease of genetic modification, tobacco can be even more flexible by making it Drought-resistant,

This idea of ​​molecular farming is still new, but starting gain tractionIn 2012, Canadian company Medicago demonstrated tobacco speed as a production platform. He used tobacco to produce more than 10 million doses influenza vaccine In a month. Given that globally, we can produce 40 million doses of vaccine per month, this achievement was ground-breaking.

Many clinical trials are going on such as tobacco immunotherapy is seen for diseases. HIVAnd even Ebola virus disease. A treatment to return health care workers during 2014 found an emergency use status in the US already Ebola virus outbreakThese diseases unevenly affect low -income countries and tobacco is already grown mainly in these countries.

Tobacco is also being used to produce CancerousThese cancer treatment works by increasing our own immune systems to fight cancer cells with some side effects compared to traditional chemotherapy. They, however, are prohibitually expensive, so this platform can make them more accessible.

Smoking has caused a lot of damage around the world, but its Decline in popularity Going to create a new problem: Tobacco farmers will lose their livelihood in low -income countries. So why not reproduce these crops?

Drugs on Mars

Oscar Wilde wrote once “Every saint has a past, and every sinner has a future.” So what is the future of tobacco?

Thinking beyond the Earth, if we plan to travel or collect other planets, we need medicines there. Tobacco can grow all over the world, Why not even on MarsA packet of tobacco seeds will take insulin supply on a rocket, or for that case a much less room on the rocket compared to a complete bioria feature. In addition, tobacco is an infinite source-collect seeds and plant again.

Before we go to Mars, however, we should solve the problems here on Earth, and stability is a large. Plants that we take medicines from today, such as Uryes, Getting away,

An emerging area is engineering tobacco, it produces drugs that we usually remove from these plants. Not only that, but we can also produce expensive spices SaffronOr like taste RasabhriOn a fraction of the cost. Even there is no limit to the capacity of sky tobacco.

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