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Anti-cancer chicken eggs produced Anti-cancer chicken eggs produced
(20 minutes later)
UK scientists have developed a breed of genetically-modified chickens capable of laying eggs containing proteins needed to make cancer-fighting drugs. UK scientists have developed genetically modified chickens capable of laying eggs containing proteins needed to make cancer-fighting drugs.
The breakthrough has been announced by the same team that created the cloned Dolly the Sheep. The breakthrough has been announced by the same research centre that created the cloned sheep, Dolly.
The Roslin Institute, near Edinburgh, says it has created five generations of birds that can produce high levels of potentially life-saving proteins. The Roslin Institute, near Edinburgh, says it has produced five generations of birds that can produce useful levels of life-saving proteins in their eggs.
It means a range of drugs in greater volume could be produced much cheaper. The work could lead to a range of drugs that are cheaper and easier to make.
Professor Harry Griffin, director of the institute, said: "One of the characteristics of lots of medical treatments these days is that they're very expensive.Professor Harry Griffin, director of the institute, said: "One of the characteristics of lots of medical treatments these days is that they're very expensive.
"The idea of producing the proteins involved in treatments of flocks of laying hens means they can produce in bulk, they can produce cheaply and indeed the raw material for this production system is quite literally chicken feed.""The idea of producing the proteins involved in treatments of flocks of laying hens means they can produce in bulk, they can produce cheaply and indeed the raw material for this production system is quite literally chicken feed."
BBC medical correspondent Fergus Walsh told BBC News 24 that the scientists, who have bred 500 birds, had been working on the project for seven years.BBC medical correspondent Fergus Walsh told BBC News 24 that the scientists, who have bred 500 birds, had been working on the project for seven years.
'10-year wait''10-year wait'
But it could be another five years before patient trials get the go-ahead and 10 years until a medicine is fully developed, he said.But it could be another five years before patient trials get the go-ahead and 10 years until a medicine is fully developed, he said.
Although proteins have been developed in the egg whites, researchers do not yet know whether the resulting drugs would work in practice.Although proteins have been developed in the egg whites, researchers do not yet know whether the resulting drugs would work in practice.
In June 2005 the scientists announced that designer chickens whose eggs contain large amounts of cancer-fighting proteins could become a commercial reality.In June 2005 the scientists announced that designer chickens whose eggs contain large amounts of cancer-fighting proteins could become a commercial reality.
At the time, researchers at Roslin - where Dolly the Sheep - the first mammal cloned from an adult cell was created - said they had produced a version of an antibody designed to treat malignant skin cancer.At the time, researchers at Roslin - where Dolly the Sheep - the first mammal cloned from an adult cell was created - said they had produced a version of an antibody designed to treat malignant skin cancer.
Egg production of three other protein drugs had also been studied.Egg production of three other protein drugs had also been studied.
During the process, human genes are added to the chickens' DNA enabling them to produce complex proteins.During the process, human genes are added to the chickens' DNA enabling them to produce complex proteins.
These are then secreted into the whites of the eggs and can be used to create medicines.These are then secreted into the whites of the eggs and can be used to create medicines.
The Avian Transgenic Manufacturing project is a joint venture between the Roslin Institute, biotechnology firm Viragen and the British biotech company Oxford BioMedica.The Avian Transgenic Manufacturing project is a joint venture between the Roslin Institute, biotechnology firm Viragen and the British biotech company Oxford BioMedica.