The drugs of the future could be born thanks to the hens. A new study has in fact managed to genetically modify some specimens of these animals in order to make them produce eggs that contain human proteins useful for therapeutic purposes.
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The drugs of the future could be born "thanks" to hens. A new study has in fact managed to genetically modify some specimens of these animals in order to make them produce eggs that contain human proteins, useful for therapeutic purposes.
The research, carried out by a team from the Roslin Institue in Edinburgh (known for the Dolly sheep case), was published by Bmc Biotechnology. Experts have substantially genetically modified some hens in order to make them produce two proteins typical of the human immune system:
- la IFNalpha2a: with antiviral and antitumor activity
- il macrophage-CSF: essential to stimulate tissue self-repair
Only 3 eggs are enough to produce a sufficient quantity of these substances, currently only useful for laboratory tests. However, the study suggests that these could be of great importance in the development of new drugs in the future.
As the scientists stated:
"This study shows that hens are a viable alternative for producing proteins that can be used as drugs and for other applications in biotechnology."
Medicines made with these proteins are generally produced in industrial laboratories but obtaining them from hens could be much cheaper (ethics in this case are not mentioned!).
As stated by Dr. Lissa Heron, of the company Roslin Technologies, who deals with the possible commercialization of the finished product:
"Production with the help of chickens will be 10 to 100 times cheaper"
However, researchers are keen to underline that modified hens live in excellent conditions (especially compared to those of their "colleagues" used by the food industry). Of course, we have no way of verifying this information.
It is not the first time that scientists have managed to produce different types of human proteins with the help of animals of various kinds, from goats to rabbits to ending with chickens. The novelty, however, is that this time the content of substances useful for therapeutic purposes has greatly increased.
However, developing a complete drug in this way will take a long time it will still take 10 or even 20 years before we can make it happen really. The goal is also to create alternative veterinary drugs to antibiotics and this could also be a good step to tackle the problem of antibiotic resistance.
However, we always hope for a type of research that does not involve other living beings and be able to find alternative ways to make useful drugs, and new therapies, without exploiting animals.
Read also:
- Clone two monkeys in China with the same technique as Dolly the sheep
- These 5 monkeys were cloned and genetically engineered to be sleepless
- Hulk pigs: the horror behind genetically modified pigs in Cambodia
- Lean Pigs: Genetically engineered to have less body fat
