Discuss biopharming.

a. produces useful pharmaceuticals/drugs/proteins

b. inserts genetic material/genes into host plants/animals

c. produces more complex drugs/proteins than prokaryotic organisms

    OR

    no post-translation modification with prokaryotes «so no complex proteins»

d. valid example

Allow verifiable examples, eg: antithrombin/coagulation factors «in goats», development of Norwalk virus/
cholera toxin vaccines «in tomatoes»

e. issues regarding contamination of other organisms

    OR

    possible ecological effects

f. plants process proteins differently than humans

g. proteins produced by plants may cause allergic reaction

h. some proteins are intellectual property

i. example of ethical issue

[Max 6 Marks]