Medical Scientists from the Roslin Institute at the University of Edinburgh, have managed to chickens genetically modify them so that they lay eggs with a important ingredient for medication for arthritis, hepatitis and certain cancers. That would be up to ten times cheaper, creating the medication to produce.
The research team applied the genetic material from chickens, so their eggs are large quantities of a type of human protein. Such proteins can be processed in medication, such as, say, Herceptin, particularly in certain types of breast cancer is used. the
Three eggs would be sufficient to have a “clinically significant” dose, to produce, according to the research. That means a breakthrough, because until now it was the medication on the basis of those proteins is extremely expensive.
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The chickens lay concrete eggs with one of two types of human proteins. First, there is the protein that is processed in the medication that the recovery of damaged tissue, stimulates (Macrophage-CSF). In addition, a protein is selected, for example, that is used in the treatment of certain cancers and hepatitis (Interferon Alpha 2A). the
It is not intended to take the eggs to eat, declares doctor Lissa Herron, one of the scientists who contributes to the project, to BBC. The proteins are “harvested” by the egg to break and the important substances from protein. The yolk is not usable.
Cheap
Initially, the proteins to be used exclusively for research, but in the future they would also medication can be used. Tests show that the proteins from chicken eggs is at least as effective as the proteins from the lab.