Science can do the impossible. This is going to be the best makeover and role reversal in medicine: well known cancer causing tobacco may be used to combat a certain type of cancer!
Researchers of Standford University are using tobacco plants as mini factories for producing antibodies that cure a form of lymphoma. Tobacco plants are injected with chemical and ‘tobacco mosaic’ virus concoction and the antibodies produced by the plants are used in patients to destroy malignant cells. The study and trials are in preliminary stages.
What is most appealing about this approach is very aptly put by Dr Ronald Levy, who is leading the research, as under,
It’s pretty cool technology - and it’s really ironic that you would make a treatment for cancer out of tobacco. That appealed to me.
The plant produced vaccines are safer and a lot more cheaper. So after causing cancer all over the globe tobacco plant may end up going down medicine history as cheapest life-saver!!!
source: BBC
Comments
This is indeed news to me! We have only heard about the harmful effects of tobacco, if at all what this research is trying to prove is true, it will really be something like a role reversal. Interesting news, Madhuri!
Tobacco can cure cancer? That’s really interesting! Earlier we have heard that tobacco generally causes cancer- oral cancer and heart chest cancer. But now.... yes it’s the role reversal! But I wish those who are already addicted to tobacco should not keep on that habit just because of this reason. Or even there are chances that they may take it in larger amount.
Finally a respite!....
Not that I bother about such things...But if it is really so it would keep the unwanted preachers and advisers at bay!...
It seems to be a far cry though!