Threat of Bacteria and Gene Defects on Pharmaceutical Value of Cow Milk in Producing Human Antibodies, Proteins that Fight Pathogens (Part. 2)

Results

     The success of the USDA/Agricultural Research Service is revealed through the numbers:

“71 percent of the mammary glands that were exposed to S. aureus from nontransgenic animals became infected--compared to only 14 percent for the transgenic animals” (Bliss, 2005, par.8). 

The scientists from the article of the Times (2017) report that “when calves that were modified were tested, they showed an increased resistance to the TB bacterium” (par. 6). In Xu et al. (2011)’s experiment, after introducing the environmental impact in transgenic cows, a report records on page 1044 that:

“GE–cows expressed high content of these three proteins, the highest content was up to 25.96 μg/ml of lysozyme (paper being submitted), 3.4 mg/ml of lactoferrin (Yang et al. 2008), 1.55 mg/ml alpha lactalbumin (Wang et al. 2008).”

While the proteins in human milk are 0.03–3 mg/ml (lysozyme), 2.0–5.8 mg/ml (lactoferrin), 1.8–3.1 mg/ml (alpha-lactalbumin). The proteins of the milk from transgenic cows after the experiment is utterly higher than the ones in bovine milk whose amounts are 0.05–0.22 μg/ml (lysozyme), 0.03–0.49 mg/ml (lactoferrin), and 1.47 mg/ml (alpha-lactalbumin).

Discussion

    Genetically engineered cows with diseases are the biggest liabilities in pharmaceutical development. Being aware of this, scientists have tried their best to control the loose of bacteria attack.

     One of the common diseases, tuberculosis, can now be prevented by using “gene editing tool called Crispr Cas9 to remove and replace pieces of the genetic code, opening up the prospect of a future where culls may not be necessary” (Whipple, 2017, par. 3) with no side-effects. Another common disease is the “widespread bacterial infection called mastitis” (Bliss, 2005, par. 1) now have a positive, temporary solution. With the use of gene-transfer technologies, Robert J. Wall and his team were trying to build “a transgene--genetic material” to produce “a naturally occurring, antimicrobial protein called lysostaphin” (Bliss, 2005, par. 4). Although this results in more than 80 percent animals and cows are protected, the milk containing lysostaphin will have to pass to the careful food safety testing by the government. This reveals that not all transgenic cows who are treated can provide standard medical products.

     Why vaccines are no longer the top priority of development and studying? Many institutions such as Tractor Supply Company (n.d) suggest using various antibiotics and vaccines for the cattle: “Biologicals are products designed to stimulate an animal’s immune system in response to an invasion of viruses or bacteria” (par. 6). Despite that, not every bacteria can be prevented by this way, especially the mastitis-causing bacteria. Rosalie Marion Bliss (2005) writes that “vaccines, antibiotics and a cow's own immune system cannot effectively fight the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus, a major cause of mastitis” (par. 3). Therefore, the gene assessment is more focused on than the development of biologicals and antibodies.

     Besides the diseases, gene deficits also cause problems for the medical products of transgenic cows. Interpreting this phenomenon, Xu et al. (2011) points out that transgenic cows can be affected by the environment, especially bacteria from soils, because of their gene system (p. 1044). Moreover, the cause can be from the gene of their families. How can we produce a transgenic cow without the gene deficits?

     The results from Xu et al. (2011)’s paper have proved the efficiency of assessing “the potential environmental impact of transgenic cows” before introducing them into the environment. This makes up the gene that naturally helps them survive in the environment like other animals. The experiment successfully shows the number of high proteins in transgenic cows milk. Another suggestion from the Veterinary World (2008)’s paper is to “mate ‘normal’ cows with genetically modified bulls so that the next generation of calves will produce the desired protein” (p. 319). Although this sounds ideal, this method contains a high risk of being attacked by the bacteria. According to Xu et al. (2011), the appropriate method is to insert the extra gene into cows:

“The most likely environment for HGT (Horizontal gene transfer) to occur is the gastrointestinal (GI) tract (Farthing 2004), because many species of bacteria may develop natural competence, or the ability to take up naked DNA, in the GI tract (Kelly et al. 2009).” (p. 1044)

Both of the papers mention this method. Since then, there is more support for inserting the extra gene is an ideal solution for this problem.


     The further work in this paper is to study the development of gene assessment effect on transgenic cows. The reason is gene assessment can solve both problems from the threat of bacteria and gene deficits. By studying and researching about this topic, pharmaceutical development will have an evolution of natural medicine.

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References:

Bliss, R. (2005). Transgenic Cows Resist Mastitis-Causing Bacteria. USDA/Agricultural Research Service. Retrieved from https://www.ars.usda.gov/news-events/news/research-news/2005/transgenic-cows-resist-mastitis-causing-bacteria/.

Magnus, P. (2008). Transgenic Milk. Veterinary World, 1(10), pp. 319-320. Retrieved from http://www.veterinaryworld.org/2008/October/Transgenic%20milk.pdf.

Potenza, A. (2016). Are These Genetically Engineered Cows The Future of Medicine? The Verge. Retrieved from https://www.theverge.com/2016/12/3/13819482/genetically-engineered-animals-drugs-sab-cows-pharming-future.

TestBiotech. (2017). Genetically Engineered Cows. TestBiotech. Retrieved from https://www.testbiotech.org/en/limits-to-biotech/cow/basic_paper.

Tom Whipple Science Editor. (2017). Genetically Engineered Cows Are Resistant to Tuberculosis. Times [London, England], p. 12. Retrieved from GALE.

Tractor Supply Company. (n.d). Livestock Antibiotics and Vaccines. Tractor Supply Company. Retrieved from https://www.tractorsupply.com/know-how_pets-livestock_cattle_livestock-antibiotics-and-vaccines.

Xu, J., Zhao, J., Wang, J., Zhao, Y., Zhang, L., Chu, M., & Li, N. (2011). Molecular-based Environmental Risk Assessment of Three Varieties of Genetically Engineered Cows. Transgenic Research, 20(5), pp. 1043-1054. Retrieved from ProQuest. doi: 10.1007/s11248-010-9477-3.



     Eurus Thach.

Threat of Bacteria and Gene Defects on Pharmaceutical Value of Cow Milk in Producing Human Antibodies, Proteins that Fight Pathogens (Part. 1)

Abstract

     Cows are now a potential source for pharmaceutical development by the values of their milk, which helps human prevent diseases. For that reason, scientists believe cows should be one of the top picks for genetical engineering in order to provide humans with antibodies. Although the results are promising, the process is still running slow. The reason is the attack of bacteria among cattle is still on the loose. Scientists are trying to assess the environmental impact, which is believed to be an effective solution. Besides the environmental issue, transgenic cows also have to deal with gene defects. One of the suggestions that stand out is to use the gene-transfer technology.   

Introduction

     Thanks to the advances of biotechnology, the pharmacy has been developing with more natural aspects. Hence, the pharmaceutical purpose, “animals can now be generated”, according to Xu, Zhao, Wang, Zhao, Zhang, Chu & Li (2011), “ for the production of dairy, meat, or fiber” (p. 1043). Despite that, scientists favor animals that produce eggs or milk (Potenza, 2016, par. 8). Cows, chicken, goats, general cattle are now on running experiments. This paper focus on reporting the dairy production of cow and the problems go with it such as bacteria and gene defects.

     Why cows are medically potential source? Alessandra Potenza (2016) shares that:

“The genetically altered cows are particularly valuable because they create polyclonal antibodies, antibodies that can attack bacteria, viruses, and even cancer cells in multiple areas.” (par. 13)

Cows are natural sources for medicine. The term “natural” doesn’t only mean the origin of this species but only reveals the character of the benefit they carry. Specifically, the polyclonal antibodies created from transgenic cows are “the natural way our bodies fight diseases” (Potenza, 2016, par. 13). The rich source of proteins such as lysozyme, lactoferrin, or alpha-lactalbumin is the reason cow milk is valuable ( Xu et al., 2011, p. 1044). The amounts of lysozyme and lactoferrin and alpha-lactalbumin are especially approximate to the protein value in human milk.

     With such beneficial contribution, still, many cows are not healthy enough for the success of genetical engineering. TestBiotech organization (2017) reports that in 2014, “hundreds of attempts to genetically engineer a cow that would produce hypo-allergenic milk” (par. 2). The reasons include gene deficits and diseases. Since then, scientists have been researching solutions to improve gene system and prevent diseases for transgenic cows. 

Materials and Methods

     Diseases, the attack of bacteria, is the main factor that makes cow milk unsafe for human use. In order to find a prevention for diseases in genetically engineered cows, I find and study the research that contains the keywords transgenic cows, diseases, prevent, bacteria. To deal with mastitis-causing bacteria, Rosalie Marion Bliss (2005) suggests assessing lysostaphin, an antimicrobial protein. This experiment results in success with positive numbers. Another solution for preventing common diseases in transgenic cows reported by Tom Whipple Science Editor (2017) is that “scientists used the tool to insert a tuberculosis resistance gene” (par. 3). This article states that this solution brings a positive result though there aren’t specific numbers for it.

     Gene deficits are also the reasons the milk of transgenic cow can’t reach the basic standards to be released into the market. This means a transgenic cow can’t have a healthy life because of its gene system. The research of Xu et al. (2011) interprets that genetically engineered animals such as cows lack the conditions to survive in the environment, which impacts their transgenic products. These scientists (2011) suggest that “the potential environmental impact of transgenic cows should be assessed before they are introduced into the environment” (p. 1044). There are specific numbers which are easy for me to make comparisons between the protein amount in human milk, bovine milk, and cow milk, which reveals the success of the experiment.
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References:

Bliss, R. (2005). Transgenic Cows Resist Mastitis-Causing Bacteria. USDA/Agricultural Research Service. Retrieved from https://www.ars.usda.gov/news-events/news/research-news/2005/transgenic-cows-resist-mastitis-causing-bacteria/.

Magnus, P. (2008). Transgenic Milk. Veterinary World, 1(10), pp. 319-320. Retrieved from http://www.veterinaryworld.org/2008/October/Transgenic%20milk.pdf.

Potenza, A. (2016). Are These Genetically Engineered Cows The Future of Medicine? The Verge. Retrieved from https://www.theverge.com/2016/12/3/13819482/genetically-engineered-animals-drugs-sab-cows-pharming-future.

TestBiotech. (2017). Genetically Engineered Cows. TestBiotech. Retrieved from https://www.testbiotech.org/en/limits-to-biotech/cow/basic_paper.

Tom Whipple Science Editor. (2017). Genetically Engineered Cows Are Resistant to Tuberculosis. Times [London, England], p. 12. Retrieved from GALE.

Tractor Supply Company. (n.d). Livestock Antibiotics and Vaccines. Tractor Supply Company. Retrieved from https://www.tractorsupply.com/know-how_pets-livestock_cattle_livestock-antibiotics-and-vaccines.

Xu, J., Zhao, J., Wang, J., Zhao, Y., Zhang, L., Chu, M., & Li, N. (2011). Molecular-based Environmental Risk Assessment of Three Varieties of Genetically Engineered Cows. Transgenic Research, 20(5), pp. 1043-1054. Retrieved from ProQuest. doi: 10.1007/s11248-010-9477-3.

   

     Eurus Thach.

Introversion Is A Healthy Choice and An Appreciated Lifestyle

     Susan Cain (2012), a lawyer, shares her experiences transferring into extroverted and thoughts about introversion. “In the 20th century”, she (2012) claims, the world started favoring the charismatic type of personality that the introverted personality has been underrated. Especially, educational institutes always pick teamwork as their top encouragement, even if the activity is individual dependence like creative writing. Obviously, teamwork is what we need in the modern lifestyle. However, according to Susan Cain (2012), too much teamwork has created a lack of balance of the introvert-extrovert spectrum. The first observation of the introverted traits was love soft-speaking and an amount of quiet time on their own. This private time doesn’t have any relation to being mellow, it is just one of the ways people choose to enjoy their life or their youth. Exemplifying for such common, misunderstanding situation, Susan Cain (2012)  recalls her summer camp experience from her childhood. Growing up favoring reading, Susan Cain had her suitcase packed and filled with books for the camp.  When Cain was caught reading books, the counselor expressed her worry about Cain’s introversion. She encouraged Cain to be outgoing with “R-O-W-D-I-E”. One of her campmates even came and wonder if Cain was being so mellow. Through the stories, Cain implies that the world needs to see the importance of the introversion. Specifically, Cain reveals, the introverted are great leaders and deep-thinking individuals, which is as worth appreciating as the extroverted.

     From this video, I have learned that influences on other people don’t only involve extroversion, the introversion also has its unique impact on others through its deep-thinking speciality. Although the introverts have their difficulties communicating with others such as making eye contact or the fear of wasting others’ time, they can make efficient communication thanks to the properly stimulations. What I mean is to create an environment when the introverts can gain confidence as much as the extroverts to express their ideas to the crowd. To this idea, Cain (2012) suggests creating a chatty, friendly meeting in the workplace as well as working privately. This point, I believe, relates to the principles “become genuinely interested in other people” (Carnegie, 1937, p. 74), and “remember that a person’s name is to that person the sweetest and most important sound in any language” (Carnegie, 1937, p. 88). Both of these principles can supercharge one’s confidence and the friendliness of a conversation. In doing so, the introverts will believe that they are important and their ideas are listened, which make them comfortable to express themselves in a later communication. Moreover, the emotion- sharing, which is “a form of communication that we talk about our emotional experiences with others” (McCornack, 2014, p. 76), might also be a solution. Interpreting my suggestion, Rosario Cabello and Pablo Fernandez-Berrocal claim in their research that “ the level of perceived social support interacted with emotional intelligence to produce higher positive affect” (2015), which indicates that emotion-sharing is a way to make the introverts feel happier working with others. However, too much emotional expressions, such as venting: “allowing emotions to dominate our thoughts and explosively expressing them (McCornack, 2014, p. 82)”, creates the opposite effect. In her article, Elizabeth Scott revealed that the introverts “are often more affected by the moods of others, which can lead to “contagious” stress reactions” (2018).

     If you are worried about someone's lack of outgoing trait, it's ok. However, you don't have to worry that he or she will close his or her heart. How about trying your best to get to know more about that individual and his or her choice of living? Communication efficiency is the key to a person's soul and opens our world. It links people together, either one's introvert, extrovert, or ambivert.

Eurus Thach.

References:

Cabello, R., & Fernandez-Berrocal, P. (2015). Under which conditions can introverts achieve happiness? Mediation and moderation effects of the quality of social relationships and emotion regulation ability on happiness. PeerJ, 3. Retrieved from NCBI https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4614904/. doi:10.7717/peerj.1300.

Cain, S. (2012, March 2). [TEDx Talks]. The power of introverts [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0KYU2j0TM4.

Carnegie, D., 1937. (2005). How To Win Friends And Influence People. Cornerstone Publishing, Self-Improvement-eBooks.com.

McCornack, S. (2014). Interpersonal Communication and You: An Introduction. Boston, New York: Bedford. St. Martin’s.

Scott, E. (2018). Stress Management for Introverts. Stress Management, Management Techniques. Retrieved from Verywell Mind https://www.verywellmind.com/stress-management-tips-for-introverts-4065397.