To the editor:

In response to your interesting editorial on molecular farming in plants (Nat. Biotechnol., 22, 133, 2004), I would like to clarify why ORF Genetics has chosen to exploit transgenic barley as the system of choice for the production of pharmaceuticals in Iceland.

Right from the beginning of our project, the decision was made that containment would be the cornerstone of our approach. Therefore, we chose barley as our main production host because of its built-in biological and ecological containment when grown in a remote, artic and species-deprived area, such as Iceland. Not only is our molecular farming geographically isolated from major international food production, but it is also efficiently contained locally, within this remote area. The choice of barley as an expression system was a considerable technical risk because transformation of the crop had proven very challenging; however, I'm pleased to say that this is no longer an obstacle for us. Efficient containment is achievable as long as it is set as a priority from the start.