Transgenic plants as bioreactors for the production of edible vaccines

With the advent of transgenic approach, plants are being looked upon as potential bioreactors or bio-factories for the production of immunotherapeutic molecules. Transgenic technology is that technology in which a gene is transferred from any source to any sink by the tools and techniques of biotechnology. This technology can be utilised for the production of edible vaccines or green vaccines in plants. The low cost of production and possibility of increasing production by micro-propagation via tissue culture makes plant vaccines an attractive product. The present article discusses edible vaccines, their advantages, concerns and future prospects.