Artemisinin, a sesquiterpene endoperoxide lactone extracted from the traditional Chinese herb Artemisia annua, is an effective drug against the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum and has many positive effects on human health. We explored the possibility of producing artemisinin and its precursors by heterologous systems including Escherichia coli, Sacchromyces cerevisiae and tobacco. We also discuss recent progress in the artemisinin biosynthetic pathway and new genes and enzymes involved in artemisinin biosynthesis.