Would you feed your baby milk from a genetically-modified cow? Despite your reaction, and that of most other mothers, a biotechnology company is planning to produce such a product.
The company has denied claims that they have a herd of 20 cows whose milk contains a protein of human milk.
Despite those claims by the US subsidiary of the company, PPL, the company’s headquarters in the UK has said that there are no more than three cows producing the protein and that it is planned as a supplement for premature babies who could not be breastfed.
The company has said it would be a medical product and not a consumer item.
Belinda Phipps, of the National Childbirth Trust, said: “Human breast milk has evolved over thousands of years to meet the particular need of human babies.
“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 to life.”
13 January 2000
Loading ...
