Bio-Production of Opioid Painkillers (IMAGE) Stanford University School of Engineering Caption Stanford Bioengineer Christina Smolke has been on a decade-long quest to genetically alter yeast so they can "brew" opioid medicines in stainless steel vats, eliminating the need to raise poppies and then industrially refine derivatives of opium into pain pills. Credit Credit: Poppy image created by Rachel Sakai Usage Restrictions with attribution and credit License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.