AgResearch begins work on GE milk

3.10pm

AgResearch scientists have begun work on developing genetically engineered (GE) cows producing milk containing human proteins.

The research was approved by the Environmental Risk Management Authority (Erma) on September 30, and the initial cell line and construct work began last month in AgResearch's Hamilton laboratories, company chief executive Keith Steele said today.

The project, aimed at developing human therapeutic proteins in the milk of transgenic cows, will also study gene function and genetic performance in GE cattle.

AgResearch plans to develop cows which produce milk containing an array of therapeutic proteins, potentially of use in medical treatments which may counter a range of genetic and rare disorders.

The research application was approved as a generic "development" project allowing for donor genes to be copied from humans, mice, cattle, sheep and goats.

Dr Steele said the development of the GE cattle would span the first three to four years of the seven-and-a-half year approval period.

GE cattle will be produced in the first year and if applicable, the analysis of inheritance, phenotype and protein expression in milk will be done in the second, third and fourth years.

He said there was potential for the proteins developed to lead to new pharmaceutical products for humans.

"AgrRsearch is excited at the prospect of undertaking research which may one day help alleviate human suffering," he said.

"The potential and beneficial possibilities for human health globally are enormous"

Dr Steele said as an example, the rare disorder Pompe's disease was the first human disease to be successfully treated by an enzyme from transgenic animals.

AgResearch believed that further genetic diseases could be treated by introducing missing proteins in enzyme replacement therapy, in much the same way as blood product infusions help haemophiliacs.

- NZPA

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