Tobacco leaves are often identified with cigarettes was found to be utilized for human health. According to studies, tobacco can be used as a protein-producing reactor Growth Colony Stimulating Factor (GCSF), a hormone that is very important in stimulating the production of blood.

''I basically try to produce protein triggers (GCSF) using tobacco plants (Nicotiana spp L). Tobacco is tobacco taken locally from the most suitable varieties, that is early maturing kenongo, from a total of 20 local varieties I carefully,''said the researchers from the Center for Biotechnology Research Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI), Dr. Arief Budi Witarto M Eng.

Ariel Research conducted by several scientists from Germany. He revealed, during these tobacco varieties that are widely used abroad are varieties such as Havana.

''These varieties are used for cigar tobacco, but beyond that I also tried with local varieties,''he explained.

According to Arief, he has collected nearly 20 types of local varieties such as from Waterford, and others. The results showed that local varieties of higher productivity levels.

''So the protein production rate of two to three times as much,''he explained.

About the efficacy of tobacco leaves, Arief said, proteins are made by the DNA in the body. If the DNA in the body was transferred to tobacco via the bacteria, then the time of admission and then plant it will make proteins according to the DNA that has been inserted. Then, if the plant is harvested, it will get the protein.

Protein''is what can be used as an anticancer protein,''he explained.

In addition to anticancer proteins, said Arief, GSCF it could be to stimulate the multiplication of stem cells (stem cells) that can be developed to restore bodily function network that is damaged. Furthermore Ariel explained, in the medical field there are pharmaceutical products are now widely used, namely drugs and vaccines in the form of the protein.

''In this research I try something new that is using the plant as a media production,''he said.

Ariel continued, he would prefer a local plant because Indonesia is a tropical country which is still touted to be agrarian. So, if synergized with agriculture it is more suitable.

''From a scientific point of exposure was also there that using the crop production cost is cheaper per ten to a hundred,''he explained.

Later, Ariel gives the terms, tanamanan chosen should the cultivation of plants in a short time to harvest. The second condition is a must have plant biomass production, either tuber or leaf, thus efficiently. ''Well, the third I think now with the existence of these biofuels, should not food crops,''he said.

Thus, continued Ariel, tobacco use is not actually tobacco plants like those in agriculture which can be directly used. ''Because, these protein products to be drugs, it must be inserted into the tobacco,''he said.
Thus, said Arief, later on tobacco will produce the protein encoded by the DNA.

After that, the concept is the same in the usual way. ''If we plant crops here and then later from leaves us so that we can extract the pure protein and is free from harmful substances in tobacco leaves, such as nicotine,''he explained.

Ariel is selected as the recipient of the Fraunhofer-DAAD-Award 2007 from Germany to research on tobacco molecular farming hopes his research can be used as an alternative to the many farmers are worried about the MUI fatwa on smoking ban.

''I myself feel happy, because actually when starting this research I do not think until that direction, because time does not yet exist, so maybe these social effects,''he said.
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