Industrial Problem - Technological Solution - Cloning

Industrial agriculture has been coming home to roost. One of those negative impacts has been "mad cow" disease or BSE. Now, scientists have apparently found a cure for BSE - genetic engineering. This report comes on the heels of the FDA deciding that cloned meat and milk are "safe."

BSE is a disease communicable to humans (as CJD) that attaches to a brain protein called a prion. The main source of BSE in cattle is the feeding of animal byproducts to cattle. Once in the cattle population, it may spread by other means. Because of this, regulations on cattle feed have been tightened. The short story is that the "efficiencies" of industrial cattle production lead to BSE in this species.

Researchers genetically altered cattle cells to remove the gene for the prion that BSE attacks. They then cloned cattle with the modified cells. The calves - now two years old - appear to be healthy. Initial tests for BSE after direct brain injection, so far seem to be positive.

The report on the research has some interesting points. First is that the genetic manipulation which is described "knocking out" the gene that produces the prion. However, the research is also referred to as "transgenic." That means that somehow cells from some other species were introduced.

Second is the claim that the research is aimed at medical research; however, the comments show they are clearly planning towards the food supply:

In the future, experts said, similar techniques might be used to engineer animals with more nutritious meats -- though the Food and Drug Administration has said it will require engineered food animals to pass tests far more stringent than those it recently deemed adequate for clones.

...

"This shows the application of transgenics to improving livestock production and ultimately food production."

A response from the FDA says that "it will require engineered food animals to pass tests far more stringent than those it recently deemed adequate for clones."

This is yet another example of an attempted technological fix to a technological problem. Like other such solutions in our past and present, it is likely to cause other problems. This "cure" also presents a reasoning to require the cloning of cattle - elimination of the risk of BSE. Of course, this would largely eliminate everyone outside of corporate agriculture from cattle raising and dairy farms.

A slippery slope - right off the cliff.

Posted by rowan at January 4, 2007 6:37 AM | [eMail this article!] |