Benefits

 

 

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*Permission pending from Scientific American Inc.*

 

The potential benefits of edible medications are extraordinary.  This offers a solution to depraved medical attention that is so problematic in underdeveloped nations.  The ability to produce medication in a medium that can be successfully utilized in third world nations is a bounding leap for humanity.  Foods such as bananas and potatoes are easily grown without technologies that are lacking in underdeveloped countries.  Potatoes do not require refrigeration, and the “eyes” of potatoes possess the ability to grow more potatoes with medicinal properties.  Bananas do not need to be cooked to be ingested and are easily pureed so that proper doses of medication can be administered.  Additionally, none of these vectors for administration of medication require a syringe. This is not only preferable because it is less painful, but without the need for syringes the issue of sterility is all but neutralized.  Most of these edible foods have already been produced in the laboratory, and are ready to be taken out into the field to help combat disease in countries where cures for most diseases are unattainable due to lack of finances and availability.  Edible vaccines are a wonderful cure to global medical attention.

                                                                                              

 

 

 

 

 

 

This webpage was created by David Shelburne ’04 & Paul Toran ’03 as an assignment for an

undergraduate course—Bio 361: Genetically Modified Organisms—at Davidson College.

 

© Copyright 2002 Department of Biology, Davidson College, Davidson, NC 28035

Send comments, questions, and suggestions to: dashelburne@davidson.edu and/or patoran@davidson.edu