September 30, 2005

Argentine scientists developing FMD vaccine using transgenic plants

Argentine scientists have been developing a foot-and-mouth disease, or FMD, vaccine using transgenic plants. The technique was reportedly highly efficient, affordable and environmentally friendly compared with conventional methods.

While FMD vaccines were currently available, conventional production was costly and carried a risk to animals.

Vaccines developed in transgenic plants reportedly carried no risk to the animals and could be much cheaper.

Dr. Dus Santos and her team were able to develop a complex antigen from the FMD virus. Vaccines were made up of antigens which caused an antibody reaction in the immune system. The antigen was part of a protein laboratory produced from transgenic alfalfa plants.

The vaccine was then administered to laboratory mice orally, and initial results were good as none of the mice fell sick after being infected with the FMD virus.

Developing countries such as Argentina, whose economies depended much on their livestock industries, might reportedly benefit much from this new vaccine if it was approved.