Chickens as Drug Factories
Scientists in Scotland have successfully produced five generations of chickens that lay
eggs containing certain protein-based drugs. The scientists changed the DNA of the
chickens so that two drugs, one used to treat skin cancer and the other used to treat
multiple sclerosis, were present in the egg whites. Cows, sheep, and goats have already
been altered to produce protein-based drugs in their milk. Chickens are considered good
“drug factories” because they are inexpensive to care for, they grow fast, and their chicks
inherit the special drug-producing ability.
Explain why scientists altered the DNA of the chickens instead of altering a protein already present in
the chickens. In your answer, be sure to:
state one reason why the scientists altered the DNA of the chickens instead of altering a protein
already present in the chickens
Scientists in Scotland have successfully produced five generations of chickens that lay
eggs containing certain protein-based drugs. The scientists changed the DNA of the
chickens so that two drugs, one used to treat skin cancer and the other used to treat
multiple sclerosis, were present in the egg whites. Cows, sheep, and goats have already
been altered to produce protein-based drugs in their milk. Chickens are considered good
“drug factories” because they are inexpensive to care for, they grow fast, and their chicks
inherit the special drug-producing ability.
Explain why scientists altered the DNA of the chickens instead of altering a protein already present in
the chickens. In your answer, be sure to:
state one reason why the scientists altered the DNA of the chickens instead of altering a protein
already present in the chickens