BEIJING, China (Reuters) – Mooove over, Mom.
Chinese scientists have produced a herd of genetically modified cows that produce milk that could substitute for human breast milk, a possible alternative to baby formula in a nation rocked by tainted milk powder scandals.
Researchers at the State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology at the China Agricultural University introduced human genetic coding into the DNA of Holstein dairy cow embryos and then transferred the embryos into cow surrogates.
In 2003, after years of testing on mice, scientists created the first cow that could produce milk with the same nutritional properties as human breast milk but with a taste even stronger and sweeter.
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“The genetically modified cow milk is 80 percent the same as human breast milk,” said lead researcher Li Ning. “Our modified cow milk contains several major properties of human milk, in particular proteins and antibodies which we believe are good for our health and able to improve our immune system.”
More than 300 cloned cattle now live on an experimental farm in suburban Beijing, with new calves delivered every week.
