Australia joined the United States, Europe, and New Zealand in producing its first cloned and genetically modified dairy calves.
A team of researchers at the Monash Institute of Reproduction and Development first cloned several cow embryos. They then inserted an extra bovine protein gene taken from a cow cell into the embryos. The extra gene boosts the amount of protein in milk expressed by the cows, though it will be awhile before researchers learn by how much the protein content is increased.
The same technique, of course, could be utilized to make the cows express other compounds, such as pharmaceuticals, in milk. “Being able to add specific genes to cloned calves will provide us with the potential to produce milk containing human vaccines and medicines for diseases such as hemophilia,” said Monash Institute director Alan Trounson.
Such possibilities are still 5-10 years away, however.
Source:
Australia breeds super milkers. AAP, March 27, 2002.
Australia look to milk cow cloning. Reuters, March 27, 2002.
Protein shakes on the way after cloned cows born. Penny Fannin, Sydney Morning Herald, March 28, 2002.