UK scientists have developed genetically modified chickens capable of laying eggs containing proteins needed to make cancer-fighting drugs.

The Roslin Institute, near Edinburgh, says it has produced five generations of birds that can produce useful levels of life-saving proteins in egg whites.

The work could lead to a range of drugs that are cheaper and easier to make.

Chickens had some advantages over other animals for “pharming” because their lifecycles were shorter, said Dr Sang.

Once you’ve made the transgenic birds, then it’s very easy; once you’ve got the gene in, then you can breed up hundreds of birds from one cockerel – because they can be bred with hundreds of hens and you can collect an egg a day and have hundreds of chicks in no time,” Dr. Helen Sang explained.

Let the bureaucrats waste time debating which came first. Just concentrate on curing people.



  1. Mr. Fusion says:

    Maybe they could engineer the bird flu vaccine into this egg. That should be good for everyone if you could just eat your vaccine instead of getting a shot.

  2. Peter Rodwell says:

    That’s certainly the biggest cock I’ve ever seen!

  3. tampaguy says:

    These people know their stuff-same group that cloned “Dolly” – This is actually a joint project with a Florida-based American company called Viragen. There is an article and video on the BBC site. Interesting…

    That is a GREAT picture!

  4. tallwookie says:

    So – If we mix these eggs w/ that vat-brewed meat, can we get some Green Eggs & Ham?


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