London: In a major breakthrough that could
treat millions of patients suffering with malaria in
developing countries like India, British scientists claimed to
have unlocked the genetic map of the plant used to cure the
disease.
Scientists at University of York, UK, have mapped the
genes of the medicinal herb Artemisia annua, and predicted
that the high-yielding anti-malaria crops would be available
for wide spread plantation within two years around the globe.
The discovery, according to the researchers, could save
countless lives especially in the African continent and
developing countries like India and China. Malaria affects 300
to 500 million people in the world and kills more than one
million every year.
According to Professor Ian Graham who led the study,
Artemisia annua seeds are already being planted in field
trials in India, China, East Africa and Madgascar.
"It's a major milestone for the development of this
crop," Professor Graham told BBC News, adding that it would be
a profitable crop for farmers in low- and middle-income
countries.
Artemisinin combination therapies, or ATCs, are used
widely to treat malaria and are seen as the best solution to
the parasite's increasing resistance to anti-malarial drugs.
Prof Graham hoped that new higher yielding and more
robust varieties could increase global supply of the malaria
treatment within three years.
PTI
First Published: Saturday, January 16, 2010, 12:38