Chickens as Drug Factories

Scientists in Scotland have successfully produced five generations of chickens that lay

eggs containing certain protein-based drugs. The scientists changed the DNA of the

chickens so that two drugs, one used to treat skin cancer and the other used to treat

multiple sclerosis, were present in the egg whites. Cows, sheep, and goats have already

been altered to produce protein-based drugs in their milk. Chickens are considered good

"drug factories" because they are inexpensive to care for, they grow fast, and their chicks

inherit the special drug-producing ability.

Explain why scientists altered the DNA of the chickens instead of altering a protein already present in

the chickens. In your answer, be sure to:

state one reason why the scientists altered the DNA of the chickens instead of altering a protein

already present in the chickens

Question

Jessie Jacobson

Biology

20 July, 13:33

Chickens as Drug Factories

Scientists in Scotland have successfully produced five generations of chickens that lay

eggs containing certain protein-based drugs. The scientists changed the DNA of the

chickens so that two drugs, one used to treat skin cancer and the other used to treat

multiple sclerosis, were present in the egg whites. Cows, sheep, and goats have already

been altered to produce protein-based drugs in their milk. Chickens are considered good

"drug factories" because they are inexpensive to care for, they grow fast, and their chicks

inherit the special drug-producing ability.

Explain why scientists altered the DNA of the chickens instead of altering a protein already present in

the chickens. In your answer, be sure to:

state one reason why the scientists altered the DNA of the chickens instead of altering a protein

already present in the chickens

+5

Answers (1)

Know the Answer?

Dexter Elliott · Answer 1

Well to begin with this process is called genetic engineering, the scientists altered the DNA of the chickens instead of altering a protein already in the chickens because when you alter the DNA the offsprings of the chicken will will have the same qualities while if you only alter the protein already in that chicken only that chicken will be able to do the job