Visitors then enter the third room in the exhibit. This portion concentrates on altering the traits of animals through biotechnology. The setting is a barn with hay strewn on the floor for an authentic touch. In the first stall there are models of cows. Here, the genetic engineering of cows for their milk is discussed.
Bovine somatotropin is a growth hormone that is produced in the pituitary glands of cows.
Genetically produced bovine growth hormone was introduced in 1994. When cows are injected with this hormone, their milk production can increase by up to 15 percent. Research concerning the modification of cow milk to more closely resemble the makeup of human milk is also being conducted. This milk may assist the infants of the future in their developing years. In addition, scientists are researching the use of animals' blood and milk as production sites for proteins that would be placed in medicinal drugs.