It said within a year, it expects the new project to yield eggs containing a protein-based antibody against skin cancer. The chickens will be specially developed to contain genes that result in egg whites with proteins needed for drugs. The chickens would then be cloned. Fla. The first genes to be given to the Roslin Institute by Viragen will be used to produce an antibody to melanoma, a skin cancer, the researchers said. The research team then intends to create a protein drug for a number of cancers, including those of the lung and intestines.
Genes produce proteins.
Such drugs are complex, difficult to produce in large quantities and consequently expensive and in limited supply. Viragen said in a statement that while animals such as cows, sheep, goats and rabbits are being developed to produce proteins in their milk, the prolific egg-laying capacity of chickens promises a much faster, cheaper and virtually unlimited drug production process. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Email This to a Friend.