"LONDON (Reuters) - Genetically modified fish may one day be used to produce human proteins to treat illnesses such as lung disease, liver problems and even some cancers.
Scientists in Britain and Florida have already produced from fish a human blood-clotting factor that is used to treat accident victims and people suffering from hemophilia.
They have a list of 20 other human proteins that might also be produced in fish.
"There is still a long way to go before any product reaches the market, but if the fish project is a commercial success, many other proteins might be made this way," New Scientist magazine said Wednesday.
Norman Maclean, of the University of Southampton in southern England, is working on the project with AquaGene, of Alachua, Florida. They made human blood-clotting Factor VII using transgenic tilapia fish.
Factor VII can be purified directly from human blood but there is a risk that diseases can be transmitted through it.
The scientists added a genetic switch from the fish to the human gene to make sure it is turned on in the liver of the transgenic fish and that the protein is secreted in the blood.
"The researchers have already tested it on samples of blood taken from patients with hemophilia, but more studies have to be done," the magazine added.
Tilapia breed quickly so the researchers are confident they can produce enough Factor VII to meet demand.
"The next step will be to convince regulators that the fish-derived protein is the same as the human form, and that it is safe," New Scientist added.
"
Hmmmm...
Scientists in Britain and Florida have already produced from fish a human blood-clotting factor that is used to treat accident victims and people suffering from hemophilia.
They have a list of 20 other human proteins that might also be produced in fish.
"There is still a long way to go before any product reaches the market, but if the fish project is a commercial success, many other proteins might be made this way," New Scientist magazine said Wednesday.
Norman Maclean, of the University of Southampton in southern England, is working on the project with AquaGene, of Alachua, Florida. They made human blood-clotting Factor VII using transgenic tilapia fish.
Factor VII can be purified directly from human blood but there is a risk that diseases can be transmitted through it.
The scientists added a genetic switch from the fish to the human gene to make sure it is turned on in the liver of the transgenic fish and that the protein is secreted in the blood.
"The researchers have already tested it on samples of blood taken from patients with hemophilia, but more studies have to be done," the magazine added.
Tilapia breed quickly so the researchers are confident they can produce enough Factor VII to meet demand.
"The next step will be to convince regulators that the fish-derived protein is the same as the human form, and that it is safe," New Scientist added.
"
Hmmmm...
