To meet needs of a country widely sensitive to dairy products,
scientists have genetically modified a dairy calf to produce
low-lactose milk. The genetically modified calf was bred by
scientists at a north China university. Lab professor Zhang Li
said the calf, “Lakes,” is almost seven weeks old and is healthy
and strong. The calf is expected to produce the low-lactose milk
in two years. Xinhua reports the genetically modified calf will
produce safer milk for lactose-intolerant people, who account
for nearly 60 percent of Chinese. Zhang and his research team
extracted fetus fibroblasts from a Holstein cow in May 2011 that
was 45 days pregnant. Cells in the fetus was genetically
engineered to include a lactose dissolution enzyme to dissolve
lactose into galactose or glucose, easing digestion for people
who are lactose intolerant. The engineered fetus was
transplanted into the womb of a cow in July. The process was
performed on 14 dairy cows with five born in April. Only three
calves carried genetically modifie