Farming for pharmaceuticals is a growing field of transgenic science. A number of human proteins of biological significance need to be developed in a mammal; the genetic transfer of human DNA to animal cells using retrovirus allows a transgenic animal to grow and secrete the target protein in eggs, saliva, blood, or milk. It is then collected and isolated for use.
The use of milk involves a DNA switch along with the genetic material that allows the gene to only be turned on by the mammary gland or by hormones involved in milk production. With animals being able to produce large quantities of milk without harm to themselves, this method allows commercial amounts of proteins to be collected without harm.
Several new tech companies are using transgenic goats to produce human proteins for pharmaceutical use. Human antithrombin has been produced for years under the trade name ATryn. Several years ago goat milk with extra lysozyme was produced, and a trial of transgenic goats that could produce a super strong and elastic silk fiber in their milk from combining the DNA of a spider was trialed.
The Canadian startup that trialed the transgenic goats was unable to extract commercial quantities of the fiber, and went bankrupt several years ago. With the unique qualities of elasticity and strength, and applications such as artificial tendons and ligaments, as well as new protective blast gear for soldiers being proposed as uses, the transgenic goats will likely return from their pastoral life in Utah for another go at accessing their unique fiber. The worldwide outcry about genetically modified foods caused the lysozyme-rich goat milk project to tank.
But machine learning platforms are rapidly developing big data into workable solutions. Robotics is becoming mainstream, as are the ideas of gene therapy for disease, nanotechnologies, and other new methodologies. Marketing “gene therapy” to get a safe new knee or make medicines that work with our natural systems will be a different matter than marketing anything “genetically modified,” which brings horrible Franken-spidergoat images to mind.
Challenges to the further development of the field include fear and misunderstanding about genetically modified foods and pharmaceuticals in emerging markets. But the market that was not prepared ten years ago may be ready for new trials. The possibility of producing near-human breast milk from transgenic goats is worth significant research and development, as is work on alternatives to antibiotics as bacterial resistance grows. While food has a strong non-GMO mindset, pharmaceuticals produced by gene therapy and products like the goat-spider fiber does not.
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