Chinese scientists have genetically modified dairy cows to
produce human breast milk, and expect it will be in supermarkets within three
years.
Scientists say the milk has the same immune-boosting and
antibacterial qualities as human milk.
The researchers at China’s Agricultural University at
Beijing have a herd of 300 transgenic cows now, born via embryo transplanting.
The milk is still undergoing safety tests. If approved it
will be marketed as more nutritious than cow’s milk.
Staff at the university say the milk is sweeter and
stronger.
"It's good," said worker Jiang Yao. "It's
better for you because it's genetically modified."
The scientists have also produced animals that are
resistant to mad cow disease, as well as beef cattle that are genetically
modified to produce more nutritious meat.
And a few days ago, other Chinese researchers said they
have produced a GMO calf that, when it grows up in two years will be producing
milk that will be fine for lactose-intolerant consumers.
The director of the breastmilk research project,
Professor Li Ning, says Western concerns about the ethics of genetic
modification are misplaced.
"There are 1.5 billion people in the world who don't
get enough to eat," he said. "It's our duty to develop science and
technology, not to hold it back.”
It's this kind of Chinese leadership that wins friends and influences people in Third World countries. Somewhat different from Bev Oda, eh?
But in Canada, at the same time as the Chinese are
speeding ahead, the University of Guelph and its funding partners have given up
on the Enviropig because it’s taking too long, and is too expensive, to win
government approvals.
The Enviropig produces phytase in its saliva which means
these pigs required less phosphorous and their manure had less phosphorous,
which is the key nutrient giving rise to algae blooms in the Great Lakes.
