With the Ebola scare growing, at least three drugs are being used experimentally in animal and human trials.
One drug, ZMapp, has already been used on at least two victims, who’ve survived.
Here’s how ZMapp is made: First a genetically engineered virus is injected into a tobacco plant. The plant then produces antibodies. Unlike earlier attempts in mice, the tobacco plant can produce enough antibodies for dozens of doses.
Dr. Charles Arntzen explains that: "As the plant starts turning yellow, ’cause it’s going to die from the viral infection, once you see that the plant has gotten to that point, the guys in Kentucky harvest the leaf material, then Cloned “humanized” antibodies are separated from the plant, purified, and turned into doses. In a patient, those antibodies attach themselves to Ebola’s harmful cells and destroy the virus”
Trouble is, the whole process takes time, as long as six months per dose.
The ZMapp given to the missionaries in August was apparently made from tobacco leaves at a facility in Kentucky.
This is why I always trust plants.. they will save the world one day!
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Topic: Ebola drug ZMapp is made from tobacco leaves (Read 9717 times)