BioPharming for Meds

Bioengineering – the field of study that utilizes engineering techniques to improve the health and well being of people aka biomedical engineering-- Encyclopedia & Dictionary of Medicine & Allied Health

Research and development personnel of Pharmaceutical companies don’t just spend their time in laboratories or out in the field collecting samples. They can be found on plant farms that are specifically designated and segregated from the public.

The farm may be growing alfalfa, corn, duckweed, rice, safflower, tomatoes and tobacco to name a few crops. These crops are used in bioengineering for new drugs to combat disease that afflicts people of all ages and ethnic backgrounds.

Bioengineering requires knowledge from a mix of studies like genetics, molecular biology, biochemistry, chemistry, and cell biology. These skills can also be utilized in other industries such as chemical engineering, agriculture, information technology and biorobotics. Patho-biotechnology refers to the exploitation and modification of pathogens or it’s compounds for beneficial effect.

The use of plants for medical research has found compounds that assist with integration, catalyzers, metabolization, attachment and non-toxicity. It is the ease and edibility of the use and structure of the plants for recombining and modification that makes this science exciting and successful.

Plants such as the following have been manufactured by pharmaceutical companies for treatment of various illnesses ;

Papaver somniferum - Codeine, treatment of pain

Catharanthus roseus - Vinblastine, treatment of cancer.

Cinchonas officinalis - Quinine, treatment of malaria.

Hyoscyamus niger - Atropine, treatment of iritis, bradycardia.

Digitalis purpurea - Digitalis, treatment of heart conditions.

Permission from the government is required by the pharmaceutical companies to open this sort of farm. An application for permits must be submitted. Inspections a few times a year are done. They are never de-regulated. All equipment is dedicated meaning that use is specific for the crops and farm only and never to be available for public use. These crops are confined for pharmaceutical use only. It is a very tightly controlled industry to maintain safety for both personnel and the public.

A career in these areas of science would be exciting and recommended. Who knows? maybe your son or daughter may find the cure for our worst diseases. Monetary rewards are great even for new graduates and research is an on-going field. Read more --> here.

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