-Caveat Lector- <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/"> </A> -Cui Bono?- More dangerous genetic manipulation from the Mad Scientists Dave Hartley http://www.Asheville-Computer.com/dave --------------- Forwarded Story --------------- Headline: COMPANY PLAYS DOWN `HUMAN MILK COWS' RESEARCH Wire Service: PA (PA News) Date: Wed, Jan 12, 2000 By John von Radowitz, Medical Correspondent, PA News A British biotechnology company has played down reports that it has been working towards breeding cows that produce human breast milk. But a senior executive of PPL Therapeutics revealed that the company was negotiating partnership deals with three major infant formula companies. Research and development chief David Ayares told Channel 4's The Mark Thomas Product that PPL's American subsidiary in Virginia already had a 20-strong herd of cows whose milk contained a protein component of human milk. Mr Ayares, vice-president of R&D in Virginia, said the ultimate aim was to produce cow's milk that was almost the same as that from a mother's breast. He told the programme: "We have the animals on the ground, and they're all making high levels of this human protein in their milk ... "This will be a nutritional product ... so you don't need to go through the same type of clinical trial process that you would for a pharmaceutical, which is what most of PPL's products are ... We feel we could probably launch this product in about 30 months." After a lengthy delay, PPL's corporate headquarters in Edinburgh later issued a statement denying much of what Mr Ayares said in the interview. The statement said PPL had no more than three cows producing the protein, human alpha-lactalbumin, a major constituent of human breast milk. The protein was intended as a dietary supplement for babies born more than three weeks prematurely who could not be breast fed. Purified human alpha-lactalbumin would be a medical product, not a consumer item, and require clinical trials, said PPL. The statement added: "While it is, at least in theory, possible to make many genetic modifications to produce a cow which produces milk similar to human milk, PPL does not have, and never has had, plans to do this." Earlier, campaigners against breast milk substitutes and uncontrolled genetic research reacted with alarm at the report. Belinda Phipps, chief executive of the National Childbirth Trust, said: "The idea of breeding a GM cow to produce a hybrid GM milk may appeal to Belinda Phipps, chief executive of the National Childbirth Trust, said: "The idea of breeding a GM cow to produce a hybrid GM milk may appeal to scientists and manufacturers, but parents want their babies to have a safe and healthy start in life. "There is widespread concern among consumers about GM products and foods. Public reaction to GM foods for babies is not likely to be positive." Pattie Rundall, policy director of Baby Milk Action, said: "Milk from a cow is never going to be the same as breast milk." Sue Mayer, of the pressure group GeneWatch, said: "You are dealing with the nutrition of babies. Is it justifiable to go as far as using human genes to make powdered baby milk, when it can never be a substitute for breastfeeding?" News of the research emerged when the Mark Thomas Product programme was tipped off about a patent held by PPL Therapeutics. The patent covered the production of the human breast milk protein alpha-lactalbumin from cows. This is achieved by adding the human gene which codes for the protein to the cows' DNA. Interviewed by former political comedian Thomas, Mr Ayares said the research had been going on since 1992 and was now ready for commercial exploitation. The research phase for the work was sponsored by the American food and drug company Wyeth, which makes Britain's leading baby milk brand SMA. Wyeth told PA News it was no longer involved in the project or had any interest in it. Despite health messages that "breast is best" the powdered baby milk industry is worth 160 million a year in the UK alone. A cross-department government statement threw doubt on whether a "humanised" infant formula could be sold in Britain. It said: "Before any application could be made all of the health implications would need to be stringently assessed. "Any company showing an interest in marketing such a type of milk would need to fulfil all of the requirements of relevant regulations, whether as a medicine or as a novel food." In its statement, PPL said the use of human alpha-lactalbumin as an additive to conventional infant formula was "only ever a theoretical possibility". No decision to use the product in that way had been made. The statement added: "Even if it were, the product would not be available for many years due to the need for extensive clinical trials and the practical difficulties in building up a herd large enough to provide in commercial quantities." PPL had discussed the product with infant formula manufacturers over a number of years but currently had no commercialisation agreements. It said a product for clinical trials could be available in 30 months but it would take much longer to produce a herd large enough to supply the protein on a commercial basis. - Dr Vyvyan Howard: expert in infant toxico-pathology at Liverpool University Hospital, UK. (Ref: The Guardian: 19/3/98) <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/">www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are not allowed. Substance—not soap-boxing! 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