'Mothers milk' from cows?

'Mothers milk' from cows?

We might be seeing mothers milk from cows on our supermarket shelves, in the near future.

This is because an Argentine laboratory claims it has produced the world's first transgenic cow, called Rosita ISA, using human genes.

The cow is expected to be capable of producing human-like milk better suited for human consumption, according to the Bangkok Post.

"The cloned cow is the first bovine born in the world that incorporates human genes that contain the proteins present in human milk," Argentina's National Institute of Agrobusiness Technology said in a statement.

Apparently Rositas milk will be far more nutritious than regular cow's milk.

"Our goal was to raise the nutritional value of cows' milk by adding two human genes, the protein lactoferrin, which provides infants with anti-bacterial and anti-viral protection, and lysozyme, which is also an anti-bacterial agent," said researcher Adrian Mutto.

Although regular cow's milk has a much higher protein density than human milk, cow's milk is not naturally designed for human consumption (it's designed for the nutritional needs of a growing calf!).

It therefore lacks the anti-microbials, hormones and digestive enzymes that are best for humans.

Rosita's milk could offer the best of both human and cow milk in one product.

That product may arrive at your local supermarket sooner than you think.

Just a few days ago, Chinese researchers also announced that they had created transgenic cows that produce human milk.

In fact, China may already have a herd of transgenic cows that is 300 members strong which, if true, would rival the Argentine claim that Rosita is the first of her kind.

But regardless of Rosita's status in history, it seems inevitable that bovine/human milk will become a real option for milk consumers soon en! ough.
Chinese researchers claim to have tasted their product already.

"It's good," said worker Jiang Yao. "It's better for you because it's genetically modified."
Source: Mother Nature Network

Published Jun 12 2011