Anise as an agent
against avian influenza
Or, "he who controls the spice controls the universe."
OK, I'm being a little silly.
"In a large concrete yard covered with two-foot-high rows of star anise seeds, farmers shovel the pungent spice into boxes for export.
"The coin-sized buds' telltale liquorice scent fills the air. In that scent Chen Xiao, a town located in China's Guangxi province, smells opportunity.
"The dry, brownish star-shaped spice has flavored soups and stews for centuries, and seasons cola, toothpaste and perfume.
"But now, it is becoming famous -- and being hoarded -- for another reason: it is the source of a key ingredient in Tamiflu, a drug that might be the difference between life and death for people infected with bird flu.
"Within days of the first reports that star anise was the main source of shikimic acid, which is used in Tamiflu, its price more than doubled to 14 yuan per kilogram (2.2 pounds).
"The cost of a box of Tamiflu in Hong Kong, 350 km (220 miles) southeast of Gulong, has gone from about US$25 to as much as US$130 in a matter of weeks. Many doctors and pharmacies have run out.
"At least six pharmaceutical firms in China snapped up hundreds of tons of star anise each in the hope that they could make their own Tamiflu or develop other bird flu remedies.
"The sudden attention gave a shot in the arm to the tiny star anise world, centered in Guangxi. Its farmers harvest 30,000-50,000 tons a year, or about 70 percent of the world's total output of the spice."
OK, I'm being a little silly.
"In a large concrete yard covered with two-foot-high rows of star anise seeds, farmers shovel the pungent spice into boxes for export.
"The coin-sized buds' telltale liquorice scent fills the air. In that scent Chen Xiao, a town located in China's Guangxi province, smells opportunity.
"The dry, brownish star-shaped spice has flavored soups and stews for centuries, and seasons cola, toothpaste and perfume.
"But now, it is becoming famous -- and being hoarded -- for another reason: it is the source of a key ingredient in Tamiflu, a drug that might be the difference between life and death for people infected with bird flu.
"Within days of the first reports that star anise was the main source of shikimic acid, which is used in Tamiflu, its price more than doubled to 14 yuan per kilogram (2.2 pounds).
"The cost of a box of Tamiflu in Hong Kong, 350 km (220 miles) southeast of Gulong, has gone from about US$25 to as much as US$130 in a matter of weeks. Many doctors and pharmacies have run out.
"At least six pharmaceutical firms in China snapped up hundreds of tons of star anise each in the hope that they could make their own Tamiflu or develop other bird flu remedies.
"The sudden attention gave a shot in the arm to the tiny star anise world, centered in Guangxi. Its farmers harvest 30,000-50,000 tons a year, or about 70 percent of the world's total output of the spice."
Anise as an agent
against avian influenza
mr damon, 23:13
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