Scientists Engineer Cows to Produce Low Lactose, Omega-3 Milk

Two groups of scientists at Inner Mongolia University in Huhhot, China, have
reportedly created two genetically modified (GM) calves capable of producing
either low-lactose milk or milk high in omega-3 fatty acids. According to
media sources, the group involved with low-lactose milk production hopes
to create herds of GM cows that would supply a range of dairy products for
lactose-intolerant consumers within five to 10 years. “Ordinary milk contains
lactose, while milk produced by our modified cow will have relatively low
content of lactose, or even have no lactose,” one scientist told The Telegraph.
“Most people suffer the lactose intolerance in varying degrees. We are
attempting to breed a dairy cow that produce low lactose milk for supplying
the market. We hope to commercialize it in the future.”

The second research team apparently modified cow embryos with genes from
roundworms to produce milk with four times the level of omega-3 fatty acids
than that from ordinary cows. After allowing the transgenic calve to mature
and bear offspring, scientists found that her milk also contained one-half the
omega-6 unsaturated fatty acids allegedly linked to cancer and heart disease.
“Our results indicate that transgenic domestic animals can produce meat
and milk enriched in n-3 fatty acids, which can probably become an efficient
and economical approach to meet the increasing demand for omega three
polyunsaturated fatty acids,” said one of the researchers, whose findings were
published in the June 2012 edition of Transgenic Research.

Meanwhile, the news has already raised red flags with consumer groups
opposed to such research. “There is a question of food safety with GM
livestock,” Genewatch Director Helen Wallace was quoted as saying. “As with
all GM technology, there is a potential for unintended consequences as it is
interfering with the natural biological production pathways of milk, so it could
affect other nutrients or even have harmful effects.” See The Telegraph and
Daily Mail, June 17, 2012; Digital Journal, June 18, 2012.