Genetically Modified Salmon Decision Raises Hopes For UC Davis Goat Project
UC DAVIS (CBS13) — Genetically modified salmon has been approved for the dinner plate, and it's giving hope to UC Davis researchers working with another animal.
UC Davis professor Elizabeth Maga introduced us to her genetically-modified goats.
"The only difference is she has one extra component in her milk," she said.
The dozen or so goats at a UC Davis barn have been altered with a single human gene researchers believe produces disease-fighting milk.
"The whole goal behind this project is to have a source of milk we can use to help young kids in developing countries that suffer from both malnutrition and diarrhea," she said.
Am ambitious goal for a small herd of goats that's received little funding over the last 15 years since research started.
"There's not a ton of money out there, because people are skeptical of the technology, not sure it's ever going to go anywhere," she said.
But news that U.S. regulators have given the go-ahead to genetically modified salmon, the first-ever engineered animal bound for our dinner plates.
"Everyone in this field is excited now that it opens new pathways," she said.
Pathways critics like Food and Water Watch assistant director Patty Lovera say are unsafe.
"We have other genetically engineered foods like corn or soybeans and we're concerned that fda is using old rules to deal with these new technologies," she said.