Life-Sciences Network Launches Online Dialogue on Plant-Made Pharmaceuticals
Responding to a need for informed dialogue on plant-made pharmaceuticals (PMPs) and their potential to help combat life-threatening illness, the International Academy of Life Sciences (IALS) and U.S. partner the Biomedical Exchange Program (BMEP) has launched www.PlantPharma.org, an online community dedicated to science-based medically oriented dialogue on PMPs.
HANOVER, GERMANY and CHAMPAIGN, IL (PRWEB) June 18, 2004 -- Responding to a
need for informed dialogue on plant-made pharmaceuticals (PMPs) and their
potential to help combat life-threatening illness, the International Academy of
Life Sciences (IALS) and U.S. partner the Biomedical Exchange Program (BMEP) has
launched http://www.PlantPharma.org, an online community dedicated to
science-based medically oriented dialogue on PMPs.
"PMPs are getting
increasing attention both in the U.S. and Europe for their potential to help the
medical community treat diseases including cancer, heart disease, arthritis, and
many more," said Dr. Hilmar Stolte, president of IALS, a global network of
universities, medical schools, and related institutions that are dedicated to
education, training and research in key issues associated with the life
sciences.
"PlantPharma.org is designed to be a reliable source of
information for physicians, scientists, journalists, the patient community, and
others who are interested in the potential for PMPs or 'pharming' to expand and
improve health care options for people of all ages," Stolte continued.
The site, located at www.PlantPharma.org, offers a variety of resources including
PMP-related news; background materials such as white papers and peer-reviewed
journal articles; an electronic newsletter; a calendar of upcoming events; and
more. Visitors to the site may also join the community, share comments or news
with other members and sign a declaration in favor of informed dialogue on PMPs.
New scientific discoveries involving therapeutic proteins offer exciting
and promising hope for treating a range of diseases. Doing so in an effective
and appropriate manner demands an informed dialogue on such challenges as
producing these therapeutic proteins safely, economically, and in quantities
that can be adjusted to meet growing needs.
Plant-made pharmaceuticals
are one potential solution to manufacture these proteins in a manner that is
easily scaleable, safe and cost-effective. In this process, pharm plants become
factories that manufacture therapeutic proteins. These proteins are then
extracted, refined, and used as the active ingredient in a pharmaceutical
application.
In comparison with conventional production methods this
process could save substantial amounts of time and money, enable more-easily
scaleable production, and provide the ability to produce complex proteins that
current systems may not.
"An open discussion about these issues among
credible stakeholders including academics, scientists, the medical and patient
communities and others is an essential step in creating greater understanding on
the potential of this technology," said Dr. Robert Rich, an IALS founder, member
of the BMEP and a professor of law and political science at the University of
Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. "Given the potential for PMPs to make a real
difference in the treatment options for sufferers of diseases including
Alzheimer's, cystic fibrosis, HIV/AIDS and many more, the technology merits an
informed and open discussion of its development, regulation and application.
"IALS and its community of academics, scientists, health-care
professionals, consumers and others is committed to openly discussing the
potentials and challenges of PMPs, with a goal of ensuring their maximum public
benefits," he concluded.
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Source : http://www.prweb.com/releases/2004/6/prweb134694.htm