!Kung,
>>...replace the plasma genes of sheep and cows with the human equivalent...The animals' milk will then contain the key elements of human blood plasma, including albumen, clotting factors and antibodies...PPL told the paper it plans to rear herds of the animals and manufacture plasma from the proteins extracted from their milk.<<
So they're going to replace the plasma genes of sheep and cows with human plasma genes, have the products come out in the milk, purify them from the milk and then reconstitute bulk human plasma from the separated components? And they're going to do this in a cGMP process? I hope this is a case of newspaper reporter misunderstanding (or perhaps my misunderstanding). Otherwise, IMO PPL stockholders should request psych evaluations for the officers.
- If they replace all of the plasma genes in the animals, what exactly are the animals supposed to survive on?
- If they place the human plasma genes in the same location, in other words, under the same locus of control as the animal plasma genes, why do they think they'll be expressed in the mammary glands?
- If these gene products are excreted into the milk, why would they expect them to be found in the same proportion as in humans?
- So they're going to all the expense of downstream purification for each of these components, only to mix them back up into a naturally available substance? This is more cost-effective than, say, just paying donors more?
I really hope that this is a case of journalistic oversimplification (better find out for Steve whether the Observer is left- or right-leaning <g>). Perhaps, what they mean is that they intend to manufacture each component in separate herds and not by REPLACING the animals' native plasma genes. Let us know if you find more.
biowa |
