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Semi-synthetic artemisinin production through bioengineered yeast is a great step forward to cover the world's need for ACTs

Yes - controlled production of high quality artemisinin in large volumes is needed
83% (95 votes)
No - farmers of wormwood will lose their income and a monopoly of artemisinin production is dangerous
17% (20 votes)
Total votes: 115

Comments

Submitted by Kay Monroe on
Given the previous issues with access and pricing of artemisinin, a lab-based source at a stable and low cost is truly needed. Currently, extractors (and remember, extractors are not the farmers, they contract to buy A. annua from farmers)are having to pay farmers more to plant A. annua as farmers can make more planting food crops. Should other qualified manufacturers have access to the technology to make semi-synthetic artemisinin? Absolutely. A single supplier is dangerous as well as foolish. But this market needs stability and simplification and this technology will move us in the right direction.

Submitted by Ulrich Riemann (not verified) on
New GMO varieties of Artemisia are available increasing yields by up to 1500%. Natural sourcing thus remains competitive. Malaria drugs are needed and sold in countries where farming would return at least some of the revenues to where they are created. That's only fair.

Submitted by Jorge Ferreira (not verified) on
My vote is NO. Artemisinin for ACTs is a must, but the bioengineered one (although a big plus) should not substitute the natural one. The latter generate jobs and income to farmers in Africa and Asia, while eliminating crop-produced artemisinin will lead to a monopoly of the drug by Big Pharma, without assurance that the price will be any cheaper once farmers and producers are out of the picture. Also, in the event of Big Pharma not meeting the demands of artemisinin, the malaria world will be in big trouble...and the crop will be gone. Thus, supplementation (not elimination) of natural artemisinin should be the goal here.