Which process involves using genetically modified organisms to produce pharmaceuticals?

Pharming is the process that specifically refers to using genetically modified organisms, particularly plants or animals, to produce pharmaceuticals. This innovative approach takes advantage of the biological systems within these organisms to generate therapeutic proteins, hormones, or other medicinal compounds that can be harvested and purified for medical use.

By altering the genetic makeup of these organisms, scientists can enhance their ability to produce specific drugs in larger quantities and potentially at a lower cost compared to traditional methods of drug production. For example, genetically modified plants can be engineered to produce antibodies or vaccines, making pharming a crucial technique in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries.

The significance of pharming lies in its capacity to scale up pharmaceutical production and improve accessibility to essential medications, which can address various health challenges. Unlike other processes such as gene therapy, which focuses on targeting genes to treat diseases, or cloning and DNA sequencing, which are more about replicating and analyzing genetic material, pharming is directly connected to the generation of therapeutic products through the manipulation of living organisms.