New research suggests that cows could help us in the fight against biological weapons. Researchers in the US say that plasma produced by genetically modified cows can produce human antibodies that could protect people from potentially fatal toxins, viruses, and bacteria that could be used by terrorists as biological weapons. According to Dr James Robl of Hematech in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, whose work is funded with US military money, the antibodies could provide protection against anthrax, smallpox, and the toxins produced by the bacteria that causes botulism. Meanwhile, Jeffrey Turner and colleagues at Nexia Biotechnologies, which is based in Montreal, are focusing their research on chemical weapons. They have genetically modified goats so that they produce antitoxins to nerve agents. The milk of the goats produces a human protein called ProtexiaTM that protects us from natural toxins in food. Research suggests that if ProtexiaTM is modified and purified, it would protect against highly toxic chemical agents, such as sarin gas, which was used in the Tokyo subway terrorist attack in 1995.
SOURCE/REFERENCE: Reported by www.cbcnews.com on the 12th September 2003.
