Scientists have created genetically modified cows that produce human milk.
Scientists at the State Key Laboratories for AgroBiotechnology at the China Agricultural University have genetically modified cows to make them produce human milk.
The modified bovine milk is a possible substitute for human milk. It fulfilled the conception of humanising the bovine milk.
The researchers used cloning technology to introduce human genes into the DNA of Holstein dairy cows before the genetically modified embryos were implanted into surrogate cows.
They were able to create cows that produced milk containing a human protein called lysozyme, an antimicrobial protein naturally found in large quantities in human breast milk. It helps to protect infants from bacterial infections during their early days of life.
They created cows that produce another protein from human milk called lactoferrin, which helps to boost the numbers of immune cells in babies.
A third human milk protein called alpha-lactalbumin was also produced by the cows.
In all, the scientists said they have produced a herd of around 300 cows that are able to produce human-like milk.
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