The researchers used genetically modified yeast that instead of alcohol, sugar transformed into morphine. The discovery, described in the journal Nature Chemical Biology, represents a great hope for medicine, but also raises controversy regarding the production of “pet” of drugs.
Brewing beer at home is to use microscopic yeast that convert sugars into alcohol . Researchers in the process of genetic engineering in yeast modified so that they shall not convert the sugar to alcohol, but morphine.
Morphine plays an important role in the relief of pain in many hospitals around the world. Its production is needed poppy harvest. Now perhaps produce morphine becomes a lot easier, and it would allow the development of a new generation of painkillers.
Using microscopic organisms to produce the drugs is not new in medicine. For decades, in this way, with the use of modified bacteria prepared insulin for diabetics. But this time there are legitimate fears that the procedure could also help to increase the production of illicit drugs.
– In principle, anyone who has access to the yeast strain and has basic skills in the fermentation will be able to produce morphine using the set to brewing – experts comment in writing Nature . This requires close monitoring of genetically modified yeast.
No comments:
Post a Comment