Are there human health impacts of plants used for molecular farming?
Some plants used for molecular farming may produce compounds (such as pharmaceuticals) that affect human health. Human health impacts of accidental ingestion, or contact by workers or bystanders, may be unknown. Some field tests of such plants have been carried out in Canada under confined conditions that ensure that the plant material does not enter human food or animal feed supplies. Occupational and bystander safety and exposure are taken into consideration in the authorization of these field trials. There are no plants for molecular farming currently in commercial production or authorized for unconfined release into the environment in Canada. At the request of stakeholders, the CFIA is developing guidelines for pre-commercial release of plants for molecular farming that will provide for strict measures to ensure the plant material does not enter human food or animal feed supplies, and that plant material with potential negative health impacts for workers or bystanders is not releas
