Plant could save millions from malaria

[Are_grits_groceries]

Scientists from the University of York have confidently predicted they will have high-yielding anti-malaria crops available for wide spread plantation in developing countries within two years.

The discovery of the genetic map of the medicinal herb Artemisia annua has been hailed as a significant breakthrough that could save countless lives.

Researchers said the new plants they will breed will be given to poor farmers who can use them to grow a cash crop that could help build up fragile economies.

The research has been funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
<snip>
The most effective drugs to treat the disease are Artemisinin Combination Therapies.

More funding has become available to deliver these treatments which are expected to reach 200 million each year by 2012.

But there is currently a shortage of the plant Artemisia annua which is a key ingredient in the drugs.

The scientists from University of York said they hope to be able to meet the new demand within two to three years.
<snip>
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/science-news/6989874/Plant-could-save-millions-from-malaria.html

People can grow it for needed income, and it will help save lives.

[elocs]

1. I was sure this was going to be another thread about the magical properties of marijuana,

one of the prominent DU gods (probably the only thing that many DUers worship).

[ret5hd]

2. well, at least you can admit you were wrong.

[elocs]

3. I was wrong once before when I thought I was mistaken but was not.

:bounce:

[ThomWV]

4. The excerpted portion is really poorly written

Its not at all clear if this is a drug for the treatment of Malaria or if this is some sort of propolactic to protect people against Malaria.

I care, being one of the millions of people on this earth who has Malaria.

[izquierdista]

5. More info

Here's a better link for info: http://www.mskcc.org/mskcc/html/69126.cfm

And the current "shortage" of the plant is nothing that a few botanists with some resources could overcome.

[KittyWampus]

6. That's "Sweet Annie" or "Sweet Wormwood". Smells lovely. Easy as heck to grow.

Essentially what many think of as a weed.