Researchers
at a university in China managed to synthesize
albumin, a human protein in the blood used to treat burns and liver
diseases, from genetically modified rice.The
discovery could pave the way for the production of synthetic human
albumin, experts say in a study published in the journal Proceedings of
the National Academy of Sciences.The
annual demand for human albumin worldwide reaches 500 tonnes and, so
far, this protein is taken exclusively by blood donations.To produce this protein, scientists manipulate rice grains first in order to produce these large amounts of the substance. The next step is to separate the protein from the rest of the grain. This procedure allows them to extract 2.75 grams of albumin per kilo of rice.Finally, during the testing phase, the experts used the albumin obtained the grain to treat rats with cirrhosis. The human version of this protein is often used to treat people suffering from this disease. The results in rodents showed an effectiveness similar to that recorded animals treated with substances of human origin.The protein extracted from rice is "physically and chemically equivalent to the human", the authors of the study. Scientists say that a large-scale production of albumin from rice "can help meet growing global demand for human albumin." Protein is also used for the production of vaccines, as well as being part of treatment for severe burns.However,
the production of genetically modified rice to produce albumin at a
large scale will not be without cause disagreements with respect to
environmental risk, environmental and moral. In
the meantime, larger studies are needed to evaluate the effects of this
protein in animals and humans before they are allowed mass marketing of
the substance.
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