Funded by the U.S. Department of Defense, scientists are manufacturing antidotes to deadly nerve gases through the milk of genetically modified goats. According to an article in on BBC.com, the antidote, named recombinant butyrylcholinesterase, could be used as a precautionary drug to protect soldiers on the battlefield from nerve gas attacks and also as a treatment for people already exposed to such gases as sarin and VX.
Milking goats…saving lives.
Recombinant butyrylcholinesterase is an enzyme naturally produced in human bodies but only in tiny amounts, much too small to use as an antidote. In order to produce the drug with the goats, scientists at the company PharmAthene first insert the DNA for making the human enzyme into a vector molecule. Also inserted into the vector are “control elements,” extra bits of DNA that ensure the drug is produced in the milk of the goat and not other tissues. The vector is then placed into the embryo of a goat. The female goats born with the vectors produce recombinant butyrylcholinesterase in their milk in staggering amounts.
We’ve been hit! Medic, we need the fresh flassigny on artisan gaume bread, STAT!!!!
Though the antidote is still a few years away from use, the goats have reportedly already produced 15 kilograms of it. It will be marketed by PharmAthene under the name Protexia…We think Goatexia would be more appropriate given the sacrifice and hard work of the hooved mammels who made it possible.