Advances in veterinary genetics - 2007

This is a class blog for first year veterinary genetics. The topics should range from veterinary genetics, genomics, epigenetics to cloning and stem cell research. Posts relevant to any animal or pathogen of veterinary importance will be acceptable. Posts should be 200 to 250 words in length. Titles should be interesting and informative. The text should be scientifically accurate, but free of scientific jargon. Be sure to include links to your primary references.

29 May 2007

Prime steak fans rejoice as genetic engineering leads the way for safer prion free beef.

BSE (bovine spongiform encephalopathy) a.k.a mad cow disease is a fatal transmissible degenerative neurological disease which is found in bovines and is grouped into a class of diseases known as TSE (transmissible spongiform encephalopathies). The majority of evidence points to BSE being caused by an abnormal group of proteins called prions which can infect other cows either by consumption or via direct exposure into the blood stream.

The consumption of BSE infected beef by humans has been linked to another fatal degenerative brain disease known as vCJD (Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease). vCJD is a fatal disease which attacks the spinal cord and brain of humans similarly to that of BSE in cows.

Two years ago genetic engineers in the United States and Japan produced the first genetically engineered prion free Holstein cows. The scientists were able to identify and knock out the prion protein gene in each cows genetic make up. This has effectively stopped the cows from being able to produce the disease causing prions in their own tissue, even after direct exposure to BSE contaminants.

The test cattle used were all previously exposed to prion-contaminated products intravenously at the start of the study. The genetically modified cows at 20 months old were tested and recently it was declared they have all passed their health tests, officially clearing them of BSE.

These findings show a great significance to both the consumer as well as the producer. If eventually these cows were introduced into the market place they may give peace of mind to consumers of beef as well as their producers.

Written by: John Ham
Student Number: 41179552

Primary Reference:
http://news.scotsman.com/topics.cfm?tid=671&id=6152007

Secondry Reference:

http://www.macbiocom.com/pdf/HematechKirinPrPFINAL123106.pdf

Other Informative Reference Links:

http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs180/en/

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/01/070101103354.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bovine_spongiform_encephalopathy

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transmissible_spongiform_encephalopathy

http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/features/prions/

http://www.federationofscientists.org/PMPanels/TSE/Priprogene.asp