Pharming (genetics)

Pharming is a term derived from pharmacy and farming, used to describe the genetic engineering of plants and animals so that they produce substances which may be used as pharmaceuticals. This is a subfield of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering.

Overview

Pharming is a portmanteau of "farming" and "pharmaceutical" and refers to the use of genetic engineering to insert genes that code for useful pharmaceuticals into host animals or plants that would otherwise not express those genes, thus creating a genetically modified organism (GMO).

Process

The process of pharming involves the introduction of a specific gene into the genome of an organism. This gene is chosen for its ability to cause the production of a certain protein or compound. The organism is then allowed to grow and reproduce, producing large quantities of the desired substance. The substance can then be harvested and used in the production of a pharmaceutical drug.

Applications

Pharming has been used to produce a number of different pharmaceuticals. For example, Insulin, a hormone used to treat diabetes, was one of the first products of pharming. Other products include Enzymes for treating rare diseases, Antibodies for treating cancer, and Vaccines for preventing infectious diseases.

Ethical and Safety Concerns

There are a number of ethical and safety concerns associated with pharming. These include concerns about the welfare of genetically modified animals, the potential for allergic reactions to the pharmaceuticals produced, and the potential for genetically modified organisms to escape into the environment.

See Also

• Genetic Engineering
• Biotechnology
• Genetically Modified Organisms
• Pharmaceutical Industry