Maize has been genetically engineered to contain a protein which is found in the monkey form of HIV.
Medical experts believe it could be a cheap drug and be stored for a long time.
If the technology can be perfected it would also provide an easy way to treat the illness in countries with limited resources.The technique was perfected by US company ProdiGene.
The protein used, SIV gp120, is the monkey form of a protein which will be the subject of a vaccine trial in Thailand later this year.
Stuart Shapiro, of the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases which commissioned the research, says the pill can be lab-tested on animals with the monkey form of HIV - called SIV.
He said: "We can take it and feed it to monkeys in our labs, and see not only if we get a response but if that response is protective against SIV."
Ananova.com April 12th 2002
This genetically modified foods problem is just simply getting worse and worse, like some mad science fiction novel.
Folks, this genetically modified food issue is a major issue. I don't want to sound like an alarmist, but it is quite possible that the very survival of our species is dependent on keeping the genetic genie in the bottle.
First off let us recognize that Monsanto is one of the key players here and they have a demonstrated history of putting corporate profits before the health and safety of humans.
If these folks have no qualms about making huge profits and sacrificing our current health, they have even less restrictions on sacrificing the future health of our children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
This study is some of the first evidence that the modified genes are starting to enter into areas where they were not anticipated. The study is not clear, but it certainly could be related to pollination of the wild crops with genetically modified corn.
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