China : Modified cows produce 'human' milk

Modified cows produce 'human' milk
April 04, 2011

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Milk made: A dairy farmer milks her cows in China. Chinese scientists say they have managed to genetically modify cows to produce 'human milk'.
Picture: Peter Parks Source: AFP

SCIENTISTS in China have reportedly created genetically modified cattle that can produce "human" milk.

The researchers, writing in the Public Library of Science One journal, said they have successfully created cows that produce lysozyme - a human protein - by implanting genetically modified embryos into surrogate cows.

Lysozyme is found in human breast milk and helps boost babies' immunities.

"The milk tastes stronger than normal milk," said Professor Ning Li, lead research author and director of the State Key Laboratories for AgroBiotechnology at the China Agricultural University.

"We aim to commercialise some research in this area in coming three years. For the "human-like milk," 10 years or maybe more time will be required to finally pour this enhanced milk into the consumer's cup."

Li added that milk from a genetically modified cow would have a "much higher nutritional content."

However, the research was drawing both supporters and detractors, with those opposed to genetically modified food sounding words of caution.

"We have major concerns about this research to genetically modify cows with human genes," Helen Wallace, director of biotechnology monitoring group GeneWatch UK, said.

"There is a question about whether milk from these cows is going to be safe from humans and it is really hard to tell that unless you do large clinical trials like you would a drug, so there will be uncertainty about whether it could be harmful to some people."

Professor Keith Campbell, a University of Nottingham biologist, disagreed.

"Genetically modified animals and plants are not going to be harmful unless you deliberately put in a gene that is going to be poisonous. Why would anyone do that in a food?

"Genetically modified food, if done correctly, can provide huge benefit for consumers in terms of producing better products."

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