Who says tobacco doesn’t have any health benefits? A genetically modified tobacco plant that can fight drug-resistant malaria has been developed by Israeli scientists. Although we don’t think smokers will find this in their cheap Nistru cigarettes in the near future or get to smoke it.
Researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have found that tobacco plant can be altered to produce “artemisin”, an active component in malaria treatment.
Artemisin, a natural compound that comes from the sweet wormwood plant, can fight drug-resistant malaria, but due to its small quantities and high price, millions of people cannot get access to this remedy, the researchers said.
