Goat secretes human milk

Russian scientists have found a way to manipulate genes to create female goats that can secrete the same milk as human milk, used as a raw material to produce effective medicines.

"Initially we transplanted human genes into male mice and gave them mating with female mice. We raised the first generation of mice and followed the females when they reproduced. The results showed that the milk of They contain lactoferrin, a protein found only in human milk, the amount of lactoferrin in rat milk is quite large, about 160 grams per liter, "said Dr. Elena Sadchikova, a scientist at the Russian-Belarusian National Academy of Sciences. .

The researchers then decided to experiment on goats to get more lactoferrin. Now, about 90 female goats - the first descendants of genetically modified male goats - are being raised on a secret farm in a Moscow suburb. The team believes that by the end of the year, when the goats enter the adult stage they will acquire lactoferrin at a higher concentration than the content in human milk.

"The purpose of the project is to produce milk containing lactoferrin and drugs from this protein. The drugs we find will be used to treat cancer, diseases related to the immune system and the digestive system." , Dr. Pyotr Vitsyaz, a member of the research team, said.

90 genetically engineered goats are being raised on a secret farm in a suburb of Moscow.Photo: Daily Mail.

"Lactoferrin is a natural antibiotic and it is very useful for children with weak immune systems," said Dr Igor Goldman, genetic banker at the Russian National Academy of Sciences .

On the issue of genetic modification techniques can cause negative effects, Igor said: "Genetically modified goats create a drug, not food. I am also concerned about modified foods. Because we never know what effects they can have on our bodies, but they are completely different from food, people cannot make proteins by machines. human cells, but cannot be produced on a large scale because of the high cost, goat milk Lactoferrin is the most perfect protein that nature has given us. It already exists in our bodies so it will not cause allergies and any side effects ".

According to Dr. Igor, both adults and children can drink milk from genetically modified goats. Two years ago, a type of rice containing human genes was approved by the US government for commercial planting. This rice is genetically modified to produce some proteins found only in human milk. The event took place 10 years after American scientists succeeded in transplanting some of the flounder genes into tomatoes to help them withstand dew better.