Which crops are being pharmed, marketed,
and where are they?
Although
bio-pharming is relatively new science, certain crops are being
tested for feasibility and production potential. The USDA has
overseen over 200 field trials of pharm crops since the 1990’s.
Field trials are being conducted throughout the US, and have occurred
in over 30 states.
Corn has seen the most research activity as a vehicle
for producing drugs. Other crops have been tested such as: tomatoes,
rice, barley, alfalfa, tobacco and rapeseed. Some companies have
invested heavily in tobacco for bio-pharming.
Who is engineering pharm crops?
Several large and small biotechnology companies
are pursuing the commercial development 
of
pharmaceutical crops. Some of these are well-established life-science
companies with plant-made pharmaceuticals research divisions,
such as Dow
Agroscience, DuPont,
Ventria
Bioscience, and Syngenta.
Other companies are entirely devoted to producing
medicines in plants, and include:
Large Scale Biology Corporation, Meristem
Therapeutics, Planet
Biotechnology, and Chlorogen.
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regulating pharm crops...
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