In a path breaking research scientists in Brazil have genetically modified a goat named Gluca to produce milk with an enzyme to treat a rare genetic disorder, O Estado de Sao Paulo newspaper reported Tuesday.
The goat, named "Gluca," is the first of its kind in South America. It has been genetically modified to produce the enzyme glucocerebrosidase.
Gaucher’s Disease
Gaucher's disease is a rare genetic disorder. It belongs to a group of diseases called glycolipid storage diseases and is due to the lack of an enzyme called glucocerebrosidase.
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Gaucher's disease is a rare human genetic condition caused by hereditary deficiency of that enzyme.
People with Gaucher's - which can manifest itself with fatigue, bruising, anemia, low blood platelets and an enlarged liver and spleen - often are treated with drugs and bone marrow transplants but still face pain and often poor long-range health prospects.
![Genetically Modified Food]( "Genetically Modified Food")
Genetically modified food and genetically modified organism (GMO) is the altered genetic material (DNA) in food or organisms, which does not occur naturally.
Brazil, where about 600 patients are affected, imports $113 million a year in drugs to treat them, according to the newspaper.
"It is cheaper to feed goats than to feed cell lines. And purifying the protein (for use in treatment) is basically the same," said researcher Luciana Bertolini at the University of Fortaleza in the northeast, where the goat was cloned.
Gluca was born March 27. She should start producing milk about four months from now. "We need to see how much of the protein she is producing and test its effectiveness," said Bertolini.
If all goes well, and her milk has a high content of glucocerebrosidase, scientists plan to clone her so that identical animals can produce the protein on a larger scale.
Source: AFP
Genetically Modified Food
Genetically modified food and genetically modified organism (GMO) is the altered genetic material (DNA) in food or organisms, which does not occur naturally.
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Brazil, where about 600 patients are affected, imports $113 million a year in drugs to treat them, according to the newspaper.
"It is cheaper to feed goats than to feed cell lines. And purifying the protein (for use in treatment) is basically the same," said researcher Luciana Bertolini at the University of Fortaleza in the northeast, where the goat was cloned.
Gluca was born March 27. She should start producing milk about four months from now. "We need to see how much of the protein she is producing and test its effectiveness," said Bertolini.
If all goes well, and her milk has a high content of glucocerebrosidase, scientists plan to clone her so that identical animals can produce the protein on a larger scale.
Source: AFP
What's All the Fuss About GM Foods?
Genetically modified foods are now available in over 25 countries and are thought to be one of the best discoveries of the decade. But does it really help human life? Read on to find out.
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