Genetically modified cows may one day produce human breast milk
April 5, 2011 by Deborah Braconnier 
(PhysOrg.com) -- Researchers in China led by Ning Li, the director of the State Key Laboratories for AgroBiotechnology at the China Agricultural University, have created cow milk similar to human breast milk which could one day replace the need for baby formula.
Currently cow milk is not readily digested and absorbed by human infants, so for those mothers who choose not to breastfeed or who are unable, the only current alternative is formula. Many argue that infant formula is inadequate in providing the full nutrients an infant needs. Human milk contains numerous proteins as well as human lysozyme (HLZ), which is a key in fighting bacteria and boosting an infant’s immune system.
With this in mind, Li and his team introduced human lysozyme and other human proteins into the embryos of Holstein cattle and then placed these embryos into surrogate cows. In this recent study, printed in Public Library of Science One, the researchers state that it was cloning technology used to introduce the human genes into the cows DNA. When these genetically modified cows started lactating, the milk they produced contained HLZ as well as other human proteins such as lactoferrin and lactalbumin which also help to boost an infant’s immune system.
A purification process was then used to increase the fat content and milk solids, as well as make the milk taste closer to that of human breast milk. It is the researcher’s hope that one day we will be able to purchase this genetically modified cow’s milk in grocery stores.
Protestors against the cloning and genetic modification of animals worry about the animal welfare, as well as the possible danger of exposing infants to this genetically modified milk. In one of the experiments in this study, of the 42 calves born, ten died not long after birth and the other six died within months. Health problems are not uncommon in genetically altered animals and they suggest this be taken into consideration before suggesting infants consume this milk.
More information: Yang B, Wang J, Tang B, Liu Y, Guo C, et al. (2011) Characterization of Bioactive Recombinant Human Lysozyme Expressed in Milk of Cloned Transgenic Cattle. PLoS ONE 6(3): e17593. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0017593
© 2010 PhysOrg.com
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Apr 05, 2011
Rank: 1.7 / 5 (12)
Yah think?
Adding new genes "randomly" (from the perspective of the host DNA and cell, not the engineer,) is introducing new genetic vulnerabilities to the organism. The organism may also be ALLERGIC to the proteins you have added to it, and therefore would effectively be ALLERGIC to itself, thus DEATH. A total of 16 dead out of 42 "within months" is a 38% death rate for calving, and you want to feed that to a baby? Oh wait, this is China, maybe this is part of their population control strategy...
Now you have human protiens in COWS. Anyone heard of Cow Pox and Mad Cow Disease? Mixing human DNA has the dangerous potential to create easier genetic bridging for various strains of disease, OR cause artificial mutations...
This is exactly what scientists should NOT be doing with Genetic Engineering...
Apr 05, 2011
Rank: not rated yet
Any mutation is technically random to the organism. If it is not a viable mutation then it won't survive or will not even grow.
To assume that it will create an allergy is presumptuous. If indeed there was an allergy, it would be likely to effect all of the calves to some extent as this is quite a drastic change to the cows.
From the article,
Without more information, it is just guesswork.
We do this all the time when engineering bacteria to produce compounds they normally would not. The fact that it was applied to a cow is a matter of detail. The overall result could be just as benign or dan
Apr 05, 2011
Rank: 5 / 5 (1)
It is highly unlikely this will have any affect at all on us in terms of diseases that may mutate which previously did not harm us but would after the mutation.
The changes they are implementing have the majority of effect on the areas that produce milk. More drastic changes to the DNA of cows, IE. increasing muscle density, would be more detrimental to the cow than changing some of the types of proteins produced in their milk.
httpDELETE://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myostatin
Apr 05, 2011
Rank: 4.1 / 5 (7)
Apr 05, 2011
Rank: 4.7 / 5 (3)
Gen Engineers need to focus on whats important, like creating pigs that grow chicken wings all down their backs, that will regrow in a week when harvested. Cheap Hot Wings for all!!
Apr 05, 2011
Rank: 5 / 5 (1)
In actuality, all that is happening is the change of what proteins are produced (how much and when is something else entirely). Say I want to make a plant grow faster. I would find some gene (or protein) that either regulates something to change the growth rate or something that directly affects the growth of that plant. If I was to just try random stuff, odds are is that I would fail 99% of the time and that the plant would just not develope.
In this way we are at least sort of safe guarded from completely unknown results. But of course, one does need to carefully analyze the possible results of these modifications as there can be some pretty drastic results.
Apr 05, 2011
Rank: not rated yet
Like everyone else does when genetically modified products end up in the food chain..
Naah.. That will most likely be used as an alternative for plant-based biofuels..
Apr 05, 2011
Rank: 5 / 5 (2)
mmmmmmmmm bacon wings. The two most delicious foods ever. COMBINED!! Oh sweet humanity make this happen!!!
Apr 05, 2011
Rank: 1.1 / 5 (8)
This is NOT the same as other forms of GM, because they put HUMAN protiens in the cows.
The way the Chinese are on human rights (or lack thereof in their country,) these sickos are probably trying to do the reverse as well: insert animal, plant, or bacterial DNA into humans.
We don't need Chinese Trollocks and Ogres running around with God knows what diseases and deformities spreading in the population because of it.
And then there's REAL ethical questions, like is it even a HUMAN once they put something like starfish DNA/RNA/protien into human gametes and breed them?
Apr 05, 2011
Rank: 5 / 5 (3)
Ahh, the infamous jumping slippery slope argument. The fear slides down one slope, then hops on over to and even steeper one. Where do I go with my protest sign?
Apr 05, 2011
Rank: 1 / 5 (5)
It's not a "slippery slope". Such experiments have been tried in the past even before DNA and RNA were discovered.
Also, do a quick google search, and you'll find that apparently, China has already done this with Rabbits in 2005, though they destroyed the embryos...after collecting stem cells.
Apr 05, 2011
Rank: 5 / 5 (3)
Actually it is. Where the original DNA comes from and where it goes is not relevant.
As for putting other types of DNA into humans, I don't know about you but I'd love to be able to photosynthesize my own glucose!
Another interesting thing which you either don't know about or are choosing to ignore is that we share a *lot* of DNA with other creatures. For instance, it may not be nessecary to put starfish DNA into humans as the ability to regenerate is already coded into us.
http://www.guardi...-no-scar
What may be required is the augmentation of said genes to either boost or regulate these functions as overtime, the ability for them to work has been comprimised or turned off in some way.
Apr 05, 2011
Rank: 4 / 5 (4)
So, when's the flight to China to commence our protests? As you say, they are "probably" doing the reverse right now. Ignorant people tried it before, so now that we KNOW how dangerous it could be, we have to nip it in the bud, right; just in case that probably is certainly. I mean, the safety of the human race is at stake, so as ethical people, we need to do something about this NOW! Talk is cheap.
Or, maybe the risk hasn't quite slid down the slope far enough yet. But, if we wait for actual evidence it might be too late! Ohhhhhh nooooooes!
Sorry for extra heavy snark. I just don't see the point of sowing fear, when it is obvious that the global scientific community responsible for oversight, knows everything we know about the situation, AND MORE. Apparently you don't trust them, so now laymen should get involved. That's called making it political, and I just don't see how that's prudent here.
Apr 05, 2011
Rank: 1 / 5 (1)
Apr 05, 2011
Rank: 5 / 5 (1)
Apr 05, 2011
Rank: 5 / 5 (2)
Apr 05, 2011
Rank: 1 / 5 (1)
Plus, why do we have tits, people. whatchoo doin with those tits that yo babiez gotta drink cow milk?
Is it just not economical to supplement formula with HLZ?
This is R&D for a company. It is "science" only because we hear about it. End result is profit from additional exploitation of cows, for the patent holder.
Sickening!
Apr 05, 2011
Rank: 5 / 5 (1)
Apr 05, 2011
Rank: 1 / 5 (1)
http://articles.n...ce-cream
-WHOA! What if humans could lay EGGS which could be incubated outside the womb, thereby freeing women from months of back pain, morning sickness, pregnosaurusness, and the agony of birth? "Urethra I have found it!!" -Kelly Bundy
Apr 05, 2011
Rank: 1 / 5 (1)
This could be the step which would finally free humanity from the need for all the hormones and accoutrements which waste our time and drive us nuts.
Apr 05, 2011
Rank: not rated yet
I will gladly follow any cow around the farm to let my son
suck it up.
Apr 07, 2011
Rank: not rated yet
Apr 14, 2011
Rank: 1 / 5 (1)