Immunization Newsbriefs (c) Copyright Information Inc., Bethesda, MD. Brought to you by the National Network for Immunization Information (NNii). Visit NNii's new website at http://www.immunizationinfo.org.

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March 29, 2002

INTERNATIONAL IMMUNIZATION NEWS

"Protein Shakes on the Way as Fab Four Make Debut"

Sydney Morning Herald (www.smh.com.au) (03/28/02) P. 3; Fannin, Penny

In Australia, researchers from the Victorian Institute of Animal Science, the Monash Institute of Reproduction and Development, and Genetics Australia have succeeded in producing the country's first genetically modified cows. The four cloned female calves have an additional gene that increases the amount of protein produced in their milk. According to Professor Alan Trounson, director of the Monash Institute, the fact that scientists can now add specific genes to cloned calves means that eventually they will be able to produce milk containing medicines and vaccines for human diseases.  For example, scientists could insert human genes into cows to produce milk with an HIV, malaria, or hepatitis vaccine; or milk containing human serum albumin for use in blood transfusions; or milk with clotting factor for hemophiliacs.  Trounson says that once the milk was collected, the important vaccines or proteins could be removed and packaged for delivery to any country in the world.  A senior scientist at Genetics Australia says the technology could also be used to raise the production of protein casokinin--which lowers blood pressure--as well as other nutritionally beneficial milk constituents.  Trounson says it will be 2007 at the earliest before protein-enhanced milk from genetically-modified cows becomes generally available.

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