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Researches have created a strain of yeast with THC, as well as other parts of marijuana.
In August, researchers announced they had genetically engineered yeast to produce the powerful painkiller hydrocodone. Now comes the perhaps inevitable sequel: Scientists have created yeasts that can make important constituents of marijuana, including the main psychoactive compound, tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC.
Synthetic versions of THC are available in pill form under brand names like Marinol and Cesamet; they are generally used to treat nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite caused by H.I.V. infection or cancer chemotherapy. Genetically modified yeast could make THC in a cheaper and more streamlined way than traditional chemical synthesis.
Using yeast could also shed light on the clinical usefulness of cannabis-derived compounds. Marijuana is increasingly embraced as medicine, yet there is limited evidence that it is effective against many of the conditions for which it is prescribed. Researchers hoping to separate fact from wishful thinking will need much better access to marijuana's unique constituents. Modified yeast may provide them.
Why can't they just legalize cannabis, and none of this would be necessary?
(Score: 3, Insightful) by EQ on Thursday September 17 2015, @06:20PM
Why can't they just legalize cannabis, and none of this would be necessary?
Because you're wrong in your premise - It is necessary regardless of recreational legality. Instead of anecdotal "evidence" of most junk science, medical science needs controlled studies and clinical trials to prove efficacy and safety. Medicinal use requires objective evidence from far more rigorous study than simply getting high and talking about the subjective effects. Also consider that, medically speaking, what is wanted is specificity of treatment for nausea, vomiting, appetite and so on, without the psychoactive effects (generally undesirable when treating illness).
(Score: 2) by HiThere on Thursday September 17 2015, @07:42PM
They'd still do better to purify various fractions of grass. I agree with your assertion, but wish to point out that there are LOTS of potential fractions that need to be examined, and breeding strains of yeast one by one is not only rediculously expensive, you're nearly guaranteed to miss something. MAYBE it won't be important.
Javascript is what you use to allow unknown third parties to run software you have no idea about on your computer.
(Score: 3, Interesting) by takyon on Thursday September 17 2015, @08:58PM
We should support research to create drugs using engineered yeast... but we should demand that the genomes be entered into the public domain
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