High Levels of Antibacterial Protein in Genetically Modified Goat’s Milk Aids Diarrhea Treatment

Milk obtained from genetically modified goats could be used to treat diarrhea in children, suggests a recent research. Nearly 1.8 million children around the world succumb to diarrheal diseases.

Scientists genetically modified a goat to increase the levels of lysozyme in the goat’s milk. Lysozyme is an antibacterial protein found in human breast milk. It helps prevent bacterial infections in the gastrointestinal track.

James Murray from the University of California, Davis and his colleagues, attempted to modify the goat’s milk to have similar antibacterial properties to cure diarrhea. The milk from transgenic goats was fed to pigs.

It was found that pigs fed with the lysozyme rich milk recovered quickly when compared to those pigs, which were fed with milk from non-transgenic goats.

Researchers opine that with further research the potential of genetic engineering could be tapped to produce beneficial livestock and could be used to address health issues in developing countries.

The results of the study were published in the journal PLOS One.

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Source-Medindia