Researchers Produce Anthrax Vaccine in Tobacco

Researchers in Florida claim that a single acre of tobacco plants could produce enough anthrax vaccine to inoculate everyone in the United States, United Press International reported yesterday (see GSN, Oct. 4).

Molecular biology professor Henry Daniell of the University of Central Florida immunized mice with a vaccine he produced in genetically engineered tobacco plants. The mice survived when exposed to lethal doses of anthrax, according to UPI.

One acre of the plant could reportedly produce 360 million doses of anthrax vaccine in a year.

The results of Daniell’s study are included in the December issue of Infection & Immunity (United Press International, Dec. 19). 

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