PLANT BASED VACCINE : A NEW FRONTIER IN BIOTECHNOLOGY AND GLOBAL HEALTH

This review explores the scientific, social, and global significance of plant-based vaccines as an emerging biotechnology in modern healthcare. It summarizes key genetic engineering strategies and production mechanisms for manufacturing immunogenic proteins in plants, as well as recent advances using crops like tobacco, maize, and rice to combat diseases such as HIV, COVID-19, and cholera. The article highlights the advantages of plant-based and edible vaccines in overcoming traditional production limitations, promoting sustainable, eco-friendly immunization, and extending vaccination programs in developing nations. Major challenges, public acceptance issues, regulatory concerns, and future directions—such as CRISPR gene editing and synthetic biology—are also discussed, with an emphasis on the potential for these vaccines to transform global health systems and achieve greater equity and sustainability.