By Elizabeth Lopatto - 2012-10-01T19:53:38Z

Scientists have altered the genes of a dairy cow to produce milk thats rich in a protein used in numerous food products and lacking in a component that causes allergies in humans.

Using a process called RNA-interference that turns certain genes on or off, scientists from New Zealand produced a cow whose milk had increased casein, a protein used to make cheese and other foods, and almost no beta-lactoglobulin, a component in milk whey protein that causes allergies. The female calf was also born without a tail, according to the report today in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

The study can be seen as a proof-of-concept that tinkering with nutritional content genetically is possible, said William Hallman, director of the food policy institute at Rutgers University. More testing will be needed to determine the milks full dietary content, and scientists must consider the effects of breeding gene-altered animals, he said. The field has been controversial because of safety and environmental concerns.

Could you clone a breeding stock that would allow for a herd with milk of this type? Hallman, who wasnt involved in the study, said in a telephone interview. There are lots of issues about what might happen in the next generation.

Todays research represents a road map for other groups that may wish to knock out proteins, and not just in milk, he said.

Farmers in the U.S. earned about $35 billion in 2011 from dairy sales, said Christopher Galen, a spokesman for the National Milk Producers Federation.

Aside from the hypoallergenic qualities, the genetically modified cows milk may also be valuable for its higher content of casein. The milk protein is used in a range of food products, including cheese, thickening agents in soups, salad dressings and whipped toppings. Its also used in adhesives, cosmetics and some pharmaceuticals, Hallman said.

In terms of dairy economics, casein is the most profitable part of the milk, he said.

Ordinarily, the proportion of whey to casein in the milk from dairy cows is 21-to-79, according to the paper. The milk from the genetically altered cow had a ratio of 4-to-96, according to a paper. Thats probably due to a 96 percent reduction in beta-lactoglobulin, or BGL, the paper said.

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Gene-Modified Cow Makes Milk Rich in Protein, Study Finds

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