Genetic Engineered Vaccine OKd

The government today approved the sale of the first commercial vaccine produced by genetic engineering technology, a drug to prevent hepatitis B without raising “unwarranted fear” about AIDS contamination.

An anti-hepatitis vaccine has been available since 1982, but it is produced from blood plasma donated by hepatitis carriers who often are at high risk for AIDS as well. The new vaccine is made by yeast cells tricked into making a safe hepatitis virus component.