Modified Opium Poppies: Promising Advances in Medical Treatment

Researchers at Australia's CSIRO have genetically modified plants to stop producing morphine and codeine, resulting in the creation of a new compound called reticulane. This discovery, achieved through RNA interference, holds promise for medical advancements in treating diseases like cancer and malaria. Additionally, the drug-free plant variety could provide a sustainable alternative crop for regions reliant on opium poppy cultivation, such as rural Afghanistan.

What was the expected outcome of switching off the gene related to morphine production?

How could the drug-free variety of opium poppy benefit rural Afghanistan?