Scientists have genetically engineered a dozen cows to be free from the proteins that cause mad cow disease, a breakthrough that may make the animals immune to the brain-wasting disease.
An international team of researchers from the U.S. and Japan reported Sunday that they had “knocked out” the gene responsible for making the proteins, called prions. The disease didn’t take hold when brain tissue from two of the genetically engineered cows was exposed to bad prions in the laboratory, they said.
Experts said the work may offer another layer of security to people concerned about eating infected beef, although though any food derived from genetically engineered animals must first be approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
“This research is a huge step forward for the use of animal biotechnology that benefits consumers,” said Barbara Glenn of the Biotechnology Industry Organization, a Washington industry group that includes the company that sponsored the research as a member. “This a plus for consumers worldwide.”
The surviving cows are now being injected directly with mad cow disease, known as bovine spongiform encephalopathy, or BSE, to make certain the cattle are immune to it.
WOW,
OK, they made a COW that can digest MEAT, properly.
But, will this transfer to HUMANS??
It dont kill the prions, and will THEY transfer to those that eat the meat.?
Finally, my beef will TASTE like the beef it eats
Oh great, U.S. and Canadian farmers will at first chance go back to their old ways of adding animal blood, bone, and unwanted flesh of all types of farmed animals in cow feed. Still illegal in Japan and Europe. Kobe beef seems like one heck of a deal now.
I have a friend that can get Range fed beef, Cut, wrapped, by the rancher, for LESS then $2 per pound…Need to buy at LEAST 1/2…which is $300-400…
It’s a shame it came too late for Denny Crane!
#5 – You beat me to the Denny Crane comment!