Pharming

Question 1

What is pharming?

Answer 1

Genetically modifying a plant so it can produce medicine

Question 2

Describe the pharming process

Answer 2

1. Gene for medical protein is cut from a donor
2. It’s inserted into DNA of the plant
3. Plant grows, copies new DNA and makes the proteins in its cell
4. Plant is ground and medicinal protein is extracted

Question 3

What plants can be genetically modified to produce proteins that can be used as medicines for humans?

Answer 3

Corn, tobacco, rice

Question 4

What are the advantages of pharming?

Answer 4

Medical important products that could be produced in plants include: antibodies, vaccines and hormones
Cheaper than working in a lab
Less time consuming
Saves energy

Question 5

What are the disadvantages of pharming?

Answer 5

If plant carrying the gene for medicinal product was blown by wind/ carried by insect, gene could be transferred to wild plant, could harm natural species in wild it introduce medicines into food supply