Thursday, July 9, 2009

Our new cows...


Transgenic animals are genetically modified animal, the purpose of that might differ. Here is a direct application of biotechnology in this specific example.
Producing transgenic cows to produce insulin in their milk is the one of the most talked about inventions in the field of biotechnology be it for its beneficial features or for its controversy. Using genetic engineering, the gene for Human insulin is introduced into the transplanted egg's DNA and once it starts producing milk after being born and growing up, the cow can now produce Human insulin in its milk. Although insulin is being produced in tanks using bacteria this technique (also used for protein and enzyme production) can have a lower cost and is far more interesting as to it efficiency; if you're a diabetic, all you'll have to do is drink some more milk!

Popper, H. (2007). Reuters. Retrieved on July 9 from http://greenbio.checkbiotech.org/news/argentine_cow_clones_produce_insulin_milk.

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