Genetically-engineered cow makes hypoallergenic milk

Wednesday, October 3. 2012

Genetically-engineered cow makes hypoallergenic milk

Scientists in New Zealand have used cloning and other genetic engineering techniques to create Daisy, a cow that produces milk low in β-lactoglobulin protein which is the cause of some milk allergies. From Fox News:

People allergic to whey may be able to drink newly engineered milk without the unpleasant digestive consequences, according to research released Monday.

A team of New Zealand researchers genetically engineered a cow named Daisy to produce milk free of β-lactoglobulin protein that can cause allergic skin, digestive and respiratory reactions predominantly in infants.

"Since the protein is not produced in human milk, it's not surprising that this protein may be recognized as a foreign protein in infants and cause allergies," study author and scientist at AgResearch in New Zealand Stefan Wagner told LiveScience.

Studies show that about 1 in 12 infants develops an allergic response to whey, but most infants are able to outgrow their allergy.

But before those with a milk allergy rejoice, a lot of safety testing must be done. And they must ask themselves if they would drink the milk from a genetically-engineered cow, that strangely was born missing a tail:

Daisy was born unable to produce the major allergen in whey, but also born four weeks prematurely, and, to the surprise of researchers, without a tail.

"We do have evidence that suggests that the lacking tail is due to an epigenetic defect (that affects gene expression rather than the genes themselves), and we believe it is not related to the genetic modification of the calf, but this must be backed up by more results," Wagner said.

Posted by Rebecca Taylor in Genetic Engineering at 11:56 | Comments (3) | Trackbacks (0)

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GM livestock isn't immoral, though it may be unwise.

That said, wouldn't it be simpler to, say, come up with an enzyme to break down or otherwise neutralize that one protein, rather than engineering a whole specialized breed of cattle?

I don't actually have the numbers but my way would have to be cheaper.

#1 Tom in AZ on 2012-10-04 11:28 (Reply)

For those who don't speak German, this is probably spam. It says, "I've browsed online more than four hours, but hardly found an article more interesting than yours. It's really great for me."

I.e., it's almost certainly a generic spam message, with no relation to the article at all. That Homepage link there is likely the only reason the comment exists.

#1.1 Tom in AZ on 2012-10-06 14:06 (Reply)

Yeah I get these sometimes. Usually the blog software catches it. Deleted.

P.S. You are right that genetic engineering cows is not intrinsically wrong and can be a moral good if done with mankind's well-being and safety in mind. I just always like to point out all the quirks that happen with cloning (i.e. the male clone dog that turned out female etc.) so that we are all aware of what we are dealing with.

Genetically-engineered cow makes hypoallergenic milk

Mary Meets Dolly

Wednesday, October 3. 2012

Genetically-engineered cow makes hypoallergenic milk

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