Hello lactnetters
To follow Madeline Hall's note, I thought you would be interested to read a
fuller report in the newspaper here in New Zealand -
The Press Monday February 8, 1999

"Government scientists in Hamilton are planning to put human genes into
dairy cattle to breed cows that produce milk more akin to human breast
milk.
Green Party co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons yesterday said it was outrageous
that taxpayer money was being used for the project, and there should be
wide public debate before it was allowed to proceed.  Details of the
five-year proposal are outlined in an application to the Environmental Risk
Management Authority (Erma), but Ms Fitzsimons said Erma's role was to look
at environmental risks only.
"There is no plan for any official debate about the ethics of this, even
though putting human DNA into cows is a highly contentious act."
A summary of AgResearch's application to Erma said the Ruakura Research
Centre had initiated a major programme "to produce and field test, in
containment, genetically modified dairy cattle that will produce milk of
altered and improved composition."
Three genetic modifications will occur all resulting in expression of the
transgenes in the animals' milk.  Two modifications were designed to alter
the protein content and compostion of the milks, "and thus its processing
characteristics and nutritive value or allergenic properties for
consumers".

A cartoon by Tremain followed in Tuesday's paper showing a cow with two
enormous breasts instead of udders, and two scientists feeding two infants
by cup.  The infants are sitting licking their lips and one scientist is
saying "By Joves, I think we're almost there, Fogarty".

Rachel Walker
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