BEIJING, Jan. 16 (Xinhuanet) -- Chickens can be
genetically modified to produce anti-cancer drugs, a process that will
considerably lower the cost of pharmaceutical production, according to a report
released.
The drugs include a monoclonal antibody and a human
immune system protein used to treat cancer and other conditions, Helen Sang and
colleagues at the Roslin Institute in Edinburgh, Scotland, reported in the
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Monday.
"These drugs are not easy to make in the lab," the
report said, "Many human therapeutic proteins, such as monoclonal antibodies,
are produced in industrial bioreactors, but setting up such systems is both
time-consuming and expensive."
"Using farm animals for the mass production of such
drugs is potentially cheaper, faster and more efficient than standard methods."
the report said.
The researchers inserted the genes for the proteins
into the hen's gene for egg whites. The "transgenic hens" laid eggs that
all contained functional therapeutic proteins miR24 which were used to
treat malignant melanoma, and human interferon b-la, an antiviral drug.
(Agencies)
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