Edible vaccines-new technology to combat diseases

Edible vaccines are cost-effective, socially acceptable, easy to use with no storage problem. It involves selection and introduction of desired genes in plants for manufacture of encoded proteins. Foods which are mainly used as carrier/vector include fruits (banana), cereals (rice, wheat, corn) and vegetables (tomatoes, potatoes, lettuce). In addition to reducing incidence of diseases like hepatitis, diarrhea along with other infectious diseases, edible vaccines also have role in preventing autoimmune diseases, cancer therapy, birth control etc. The future of edible vaccines depends on resistance power to genetically modified foods. The pros and cones of this emerging vaccine technology have been discussed in this review which needs to be understood before application on large scale.