Saturday, June 25, 2011

Genetically modified cows produce "human" milk

According to an article on "The Telegraph" scientists have introduced human genes to cows to produce milk with the same properties as human breast milk.

The 300 dairy cows used on this research were able to produce milk containing human proteins found on breast milk called lysozyme and lactoferrin (part of the innate immune system which attacks and destroys bacteria).

The scientists believe this milk could be an alternative to human breast milk and baby formula.

Even though scientists insist that genetically modified foods are unlike to pose a threat to food safety, it is still not very well accepted from consumers and can only be sold in the UK and Europe if they pass extensive safety testing.

Helen Wallace, director of biotechnology monitoring group GeneWatch UK, said: "There is a question about whether milk from these cows is going to be safe from humans and it is really hard to tell that unless you do large clinical trials like you would a drug, so there will be uncertainty about whether it could be harmful to some people."

What do you think? Would you give this milk to your child if you couldn't breastfeed?



Read the article: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/agriculture/geneticmodification/8423536/Genetically-modified-cows-produce-human-milk.html

Picture's source: http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/view_photog.php?photogid=987

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7 comments:

  1. I'm very torn on this. I believe breast milk is the best but if I couldn't breast feed I don't think I could live with myself feeding genetically altered cows milk to my child. Just to many things can go wrong.

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  2. Hi, I like your post, very informative.
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    www.allaboutbabyzee.blogspot.com www.syedstore.blogspot.com
    Let's follow each other and stay connected forever.

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  3. @ Jessica I'm with you. I wouldn't give it to my daughter even if I couldn't breastfeed.
    Thanks for the follow and I'm following you back!

    @ Syed Thanks for the comment. I'm following you back!

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  4. I wasn't able to breastfeed, which was a huge disappointment for me. But my boys thrived on formula and the little breast milk I produced (grew to love and hate that damn pump). I'm still not sure about genetically modified food, and this is not something I'd be comfortable feeding my baby, personally.

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  5. At least for now, I'm also not comfortable. It is just too weird!

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  6. I wouldn't be able to do it either. Genetically modified stuff to me is totally NOT natural. When humans mess with genetics I think things start to go wrong. So I wouldn't feed my baby this stuff.

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  7. Heck no! This scares the crap out of me!!!

    ReplyDelete

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