Cropwatch Newsletter 4 - Red Alert Issue
§9. Artemisinin Project from Non-GM Artemisia annua.
The Centre for Novel Plant Compounds at the University of York has received a $13.6 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to complete fast-track breeding of Artemisia annua by non-GM means to produce artemisinin for incorporation into ACT’s (Artemisinin Combination Therapies). Details can be seen at http://www.cnap.org.uk/.
Cropwatch previously reported on Keasling’s work at the University of California using artemisininic acid from GM yeast cells as a precursor to artemisinin (www.cropwatch.org/newslet3.htm) using $43 million from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Here’s secretly hoping that the York University non-GM route proves the winner!
Backgound Information.
See Mosquitoes/Malaria section at www.cropwatch.org/related.htm