Genetically modified cows produce 'human' milk

Ok, Cruising around the net and found this today...WTF?

Humans have officially gone too far. Science can be a boon to mankind but when it starts to create just for the sake of "What if we did this?". it has gone too far.

My only other question is WHY does China think this is a good idea?

www.telegraph.co.uk...

The scientists have successfully introduced human genes into 300 dairy cows to produce milk with the same properties as human breast milk. Human milk contains high quantities of key nutrients that can help to boost the immune system of babies and reduce the risk of infections.

“We aim to commercialize some research in this area in coming three years. For the “human-like milk”, 10 years or maybe more time will be required to finally pour this enhanced milk into the consumer’s cup.”

www.heraldsun.com.au...

SCIENTISTS in China have reportedly created genetically modified cattle that can produce "human" milk. The researchers, writing in the Public Library of Science One journal, said they have successfully created cows that produce lysozyme - a human protein - by implanting genetically modified embryos into surrogate cows. Lysozyme is found in human breast milk and helps boost babies' immunities.

WTF is exactly the right response to this insanity

Originally posted by Mr Knowledge
WTF is exactly the right response to this insanity

This is another case of GM foods that we are expected to not only accept as the norm but support as advanced yummy goodness.

I'm gonna puke.

The only thing I'm a bit cynical about here is in regards to whether or not the research funding could've been better spent and whether or not it's truly necessary to manufacture this milk - despite its obvious benefits.

People need to stop being afraid of biotechnological innovation including genetic modification. Technology has transcended the test tube and is becoming more biologically hybridised.

I've collaborated with biotech people before and they're not idiots! Never understood the mainstream negativity towards science.

This isn't right. You shouldn't mess with mother nature.

Posted this yesterday, www.abovetopsecret.com... but yes it's freaking weird. I need to stop drinking milk anyhow.

Originally posted by DeepThoughtCriminal
The only thing I'm a bit cynical about here is in regards to whether or not the research funding could've been better spent and whether or not it's truly necessary to manufacture this milk - despite its obvious benefits.

People need to stop being afraid of biotechnological innovation including genetic modification. Technology has transcended the test tube and is becoming more biologically hybridised.

I've collaborated with biotech people before and they're not idiots! Never understood the mainstream negativity towards science.

I certainly question why we need it.

If scientists didn't play around with our food chain for profits, we wouldn't need to GM everything for nutrition.

So its watery and makes you fall asleep after you drink it?

No thanks. I'll keep my Half & Half.

reply to post by jude11


Because it's better for us to be drinking milk from our own species. But yeah, I do question the necessity of marketing it.

For everyone who says it's unnatural, etc, well, how natural is it to drink milk from another animal in the first place? Genetic modification is an old tradition anyway - effectively humans have modified the genetics of wild animals to serve domestic purposes.

Question the validity of marketing this milk all you want, but don't be afraid of science.

Originally posted by Chakotay
So its watery and makes you fall asleep after you drink it?

No thanks. I'll keep my half&half.

HA!

half and half what? Is the question from now on.

So much for my cheerios.

Originally posted by IamAbeliever
Posted this yesterday, www.abovetopsecret.com... but yes it's freaking weird. I need to stop drinking milk anyhow.

Sorry. Searched again and didn't find it. Is it the same title?

Apologies.

Because children who have mothers that, for whatever reason, can't breastfeed shouldn't have human milk. And children who don't have mothers or wetnurses shouldn't either. There are some very valid reasons for a product like this. But I guess you'd rather these kids have formula?

Originally posted by DeepThoughtCriminal
reply to post by jude11

 

Because it's better for us to be drinking milk from our own species. But yeah, I do question the necessity of marketing it.

For everyone who says it's unnatural, etc, well, how natural is it to drink milk from another animal in the first place? Genetic modification is an old tradition anyway - effectively humans have modified the genetics of wild animals to serve domestic purposes.

Question the validity of marketing this milk all you want, but don't be afraid of science.

Milk from our own species is one thing. Natural etc. Human Milk from another species is science gone bad.

Can't be swayed on this one.

Originally posted by ishari
Because children who have mothers that, for whatever reason, can't breastfeed shouldn't have human milk. And children who don't have mothers or wetnurses shouldn't either. There are some very valid reasons for a product like this. But I guess you'd rather these kids have formula?

edit on 4/3/11 by ishari because: spelling

And having human milk coming out of another species altogether is ok?

Not convinced.

Originally posted by jude11

Originally posted by IamAbeliever
Posted this yesterday, www.abovetopsecret.com... but yes it's freaking weird. I need to stop drinking milk anyhow.

Sorry. Searched again and didn't find it. Is it the same title?

Apologies.

No worries. We all know the ATS search is top-notch.

reply to post by jude11


Please elaborate on your use of the phrase "science gone bad".

As I said, question the use of marketing this product all you want, but I would think that the more scientific knowledge society possesses the better.

Originally posted by DeepThoughtCriminal
reply to post by jude11

 

Please elaborate on your use of the phrase "science gone bad".

As I said, question the use of marketing this product all you want, but I would think that the more scientific knowledge society possesses the better.

Science has gone bad when it starts to play God. I only use that term loosely as I am not a believer but the term fits.

I do however, believe that everything in nature is perfect the way it has evolved naturally. After all, that's exactly how we have evolved in the first place. Perfectly.

Start playing with the natural order of things and we have outcomes completely unknown and potentially dangerous to our existence.

What is the point of crossing human DNA with a cow or pig or anything other than human?

Human Milk as we all know, is actually best for humans. Just like every other species on earth. However, Human Milk coming from another animal is nothing short of a Frankenstein experimentation.

Science is and has been, beneficial to us all. But when science starts to cross the line of creating just for the sake of creating, it can go bad very quickly.

Where is that line? depends who you ask. The line is a personal issue within all of us.

reply to post by jude11


Unfortunately it's too late for society to revert to an entirely natural lifestyle. The world is overpopulated, and the implementation of GM foods helps to ease the pressure on farmers and the environment. Most opposition to GM stems from skewed moral pereptions and lack of knowledge.

The fear of science "playing god" is, to put it bluntly, absurd. Humans have been doing this for thousands of years. We've selectively bred animals such as horses, cows, sheep, chickens, dogs and so on to better facilitate their integration into domestication purely for our benefit - to the point where they don't even closely resemble their wild counterparts. Most humans were once lactose intolerant, but we've since "engineered" ourselves to propogate the beneficial ability to digest dairy past childhood.

I could go on with more examples, but I trust my point is apparant. Is not the point of this forum to deny ignorance? There are no scientific grounds to cease GM research - the opposition is purely moral. We're in the age of technology, though I fear for such widespread ignorance and fearmongering.

I think we have really made some major breakthroughs in genetics recently. I think we are going to see some more genetic experiments during this year. I this type of science could really help people out.