Scientists Cloning Calves for Research

On a ranch in Texas, a herd of cows is about to give birth to what may be the future of the pharmaceutical industry.

Scientists said Tuesday they have developed a technique for cloning genetically customized calves that will be able to produce medicines for humans in their milk.

The first cloned calves--George and Charlie--were born last week, giving hope that cloned cows could become living pharmaceutical factories.

“The applications for this in pharmaceutical production are enormous,” said Dr. Steven Stice of Advanced Cell Technology Inc., one of the collaborators in the project.

Although the first clones are males, the real payoff will come with females. Stice said researchers will next try to use their technique to have cows make human serum albumin, a blood protein that regulates the transfer of fluids in the body. It is critical to people suffering from liver disease, extreme burns and other conditions.