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.

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