VPB 321: Animal Biotechnology (2+1)

RISKS OF BIOPHARMS

• Pollen from plants engineered to produce pharmaceuticals may fertilize nearby food or feed crops of the same species. If this occurs, the pharmaceutical may be produced in seed of the neighboring crop, with potentially negative effects on human or animal consumers of the seed
• The introduced gene or its product may have negative effects on the natural environment.
• Farm workers may be exposed to unhealthy levels of a biopharmaceutical by absorbing products from leaves through their skin, inhaling pollen, or breathing in dust at harvest.
• Unexpected toxins or residues of pesticides used on the crop may contaminate the final drug product