Cloned transgenic heart-healthy pork?
Here I comment on the production and uses of swine that express a humanized fat-1 gene. The gene product is a fatty acid desaturase that converts omega-6 fatty acids to omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids have been implicated as being important for reproductive success, maintaining a healthy cardiovascular system, sustaining a functional immune system, and even preventing depression and cancer. The descendants of these hfat-1 transgenic swine will be very useful as models of the human condition, and if they are permitted to enter the food chain, they may improve human health.
Prather
Randall S
RS
Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri-Columbia, 920 East Campus Drive, E125 Animal Science Research centre, Columbia, MO 65211, USA. pratherr@missouri.edu
D000818:Animals; D030801:Animals, Genetically Modified; D019976:Cloning, Organism; D019175:DNA Methylation; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000378:metabolism; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6 / Q000378:metabolism; D007107:Immune System / Q000378:metabolism; D008460:Meat; D010641:Phenotype; D013552:Swine
D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6