GM ‘human’ milk ‘to hit Chinese shelves in 2yrs’

March 22nd, 2011 - 1:11 pm ICT by ANI  

New Delhi, March 22 (ANI): An expert in biotechnology has predicted that genetically modified (GM) dairy products that are similar to human milk will appear on the Chinese market in two years.

Li Ning, a scientist from the Chinese Academy of Engineering and director of the State Key Laboratories for AgroBiotechnology at China Agricultural University, said that Chinese scientists have successfully created a herd of more than 200 cows that is capable of producing milk that contains the characteristics of human milk, reports China Daily.

He said the technology is at the cutting edge worldwide and will ensure “healthy protein contained in human milk is affordable for ordinary consumers”.

Human milk contains two kinds of nutrition that can help improve the immune systems and the central nervous systems of children. The components are not available in milk produced by goats or cows.

Li said the scientific world had not previously found a way to mass-produce those ingredients. The GM milk will be as safe to drink as that of the ordinary cows, he added.

“The milk tastes stronger than normal milk,” Ning said.

“Within 10 years, people will be able to pick up these human-milk-like products at the supermarket,” added Ning.

Photos depicting the GM cows were on display at an exhibition, held between March 7 and 14 in Beijing that showcased China’s major technological achievements during the period of the 11th Five-Year Plan (2006-2010). (ANI)

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