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Cloned cows give higher protein milk?
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Science
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 Researchers in New Zealand have succeeded for the first time in cloning cows that produce higher protein milk. Past research has produced proteins for the pharmaceutical industry.
The elevated protein levels improve nutritional properties, as well as processing properties for milk and cheese.
In Nature Biotechnology, scientists at AgResearch in Hamilton, New Zealand, report they now have nine cows which produce the higher protein milk.
Götz Laible says no defects have been found in the cows. "We have introduced additional genes for beta casein and kappa casein, which are milk proteins," he said.
"What we are using is a technique called nuclear transfer or its commonly known under cloning." The researchers predict it would only take four years to introduce the transgene cows into the dairy population.
However, a group opposing the research has applied to the High Court in New Zealand to review the government's permission for the research to be conducted at all.
Courtesy: ABC Online
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