transgenic notes (3)
TRANSCRIPT
Benefits of Transgenic Animals
• Larger sheep that grow more wool
• Cows that produce insulin in their milk
• Goats that produce spider silk for materials production
• Faster than selective with specific traits
• Cows that produce more milk or milk with less lactose or cholesterol
• Pigs and cattle with more meat
Future Benefits
• Disease resistant livestock
• Transgenic animals whose organs could be used for heart, liver or kidney transplants
• Milk to treat diseases such as phenylketonuria (PKU), hereditary emphysema, and cystic fibrosis.
Herman Becomes a Father• Herman, the transgenic bull who carries the human
gene for lactoferrin, became the father of at least eight calves in 1994, and each one inherited the gene for lactoferrin production.
• Lactoferrin is an iron-containing protein that is essential for infant growth. Since cow's milk doesn't contain lactoferrin, infants must be fed from other sources that are rich in iron - formula or mother's milk.
• With the successful breeding of Herman and his progeny, however, a new source of nutritious milk may become available.
• This scientific advancement could have far- reaching effects for children in developing nations.
• Herman was genetically engineered in a laboratory at the early embryo stage.
• Scientists microinjected cells with the gene coding for lactoferrin. The scientists then cultured the cells in vitro to embryo stage and transferred them to recipient cattle.
Better Cheese
• To make cheese, milk is mixed with a protein called rennin.
• Rennin makes the milk curdle. It comes from Biotechnology has changed the art of cheese-making by developing a new source for rennin.
• In the near future, transgenics may allow us to genetically engineer cows so they make milk that curdles more easily and consistently.
• This could lower the price of cheese and improve the quality.