Human milk from genetically modified cows

Scientists claim to have created genetically modified cattle that produce human milk, according to a report in 'The Telegraph'.
 
Researchers say they are able to create cows that produce milk containing a human protein lysozyme. They claim to have successfully introduced human genes into 300 dairy cows to produce milk with the same properties as human breast milk.
 
The scientists behind the research believe milk from herds of genetically modified cows could provide an alternative to human breast milk and formula milk for babies, which is often criticised as being an inferior substitute.
 
They hope genetically modified dairy products from herds of similar cows could be sold in supermarkets.
 
The work is likely to inflame opposition to GM foods. Critics of the technology and animal welfare groups reacted angrily to the research, questioning the safety of milk.
 
But Professor Ning Li, the scientist who led the research and director of the State Key Laboratories for AgroBiotechnology at the China Agricultural University insisted that the GM milk would be as safe to drink as milk from ordinary dairy cows.
 
He said: "The milk tastes stronger than normal milk.
 
Professor Li and his colleagues, who have been working with the Beijing GenProtein Biotechnology Company, said their work has shown it was possible to "humanise" cows milk.
 
The researchers used cloning technology to introduce human genes into the DNA of Holstein dairy cows before the genetically modified embryos were implanted into surrogate cows.
 
In all, the scientists said they have produced a herd of around 300 cows that are able to produce human-like milk.
 
The transgenic animals are physically identical to ordinary cows.
 
The researchers also insist having antimicrobial proteins in the cows milk can also be good for the animals by helping to reduce infections of their udders.
 
Scientists insist genetically modified foods are unlikely to pose a threat to food safety and in the United States consumers have been eating genetically modified foods for more decades.
 
However, during two experiments by the Chinese researchers, which resulted in 42 transgenic calves being born, just 26 of the animals survived after ten died shortly after birth, most with gastrointestinal disease, and a further six died within six months of birth.
 
Professor Keith Campbell, a biologist at the University of Nottingham works with transgenic animals, said: "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."