Engineered milk? What...should they do that? Absolutely not! Imagine, a cow-genetically modified- for the purpose of producing 'allergen free' milk...for babies. This is ludicrous! First they tamper with our food supply, in an effort to yield unprecedented crops. Now they use RNA Interference, the process in which extra genetic material is added to interfere with the normal chain of events in milk producing cows. The change was meant to remove the beta-lactoglobulin milk protein, which causes allergic reaction to milk and other dairy products, for some people. Professor Keith Campbell from the University of Nottingham, who was part of the cloning team, claims this is just one more way to use technology to produce, "potentially useful outcomes" [
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-19785006].
It was what he said next that surprised me, "There are zero risks in my opinion. If it was poisonous the animal would be dead."
Well, in my opinion, being poisoned would be only one of our worries, I don't know, let's ask the genetically mutated cow, who after this procedure was complete, was born without a tail. Anybody else see any red flags here? We may get to the point that we just STOP using conventional food products, which in 10 years may be nearly 80-95 percent GMO. Stop the madness!
I will say that BBC Science Editor, David Shukman mentioned that "it won't affect the milk," I'm wondering how that's even possible. The problem with genetically modifying anything is that there is not only a fundamental change in the DNA, there is a change in what it produces. While it may not affect the look or taste of the milk, it's going to affect those that drink it, babies included. Why should we wait for this to happen? Many altered foods were introduced into the food supply without the average consumer paying attention. And now we're on damage control.
Well, my advice is to know what you're eating, and whose messing with it. My cure to stop milk allergens, is well, stop drinking milk products! We have plenty of alternatives to milk. Here are a few: Almond Milk, Rice Milk, Soy Milk, Goat Milk, Sheep Milk, Buffalo Milk, Oat Milk, Hemp Milk, Cashew Nut Milk, Coconut Milk. Check out more at the Green Ecologists website:
http://www.theecologist.org/green_green_living/food_and_drink/847876/top_10alternatives_to_cows_milk.html
My Fav's:
Almond Milk: This high protein, high magnesium milk is wonderful. It has a mildly sweet nutty flavor and tastes great. Lactose free, soy free and gluten free.
Rice Milk: I use this frequently. It also has a mildly sweet flavor. It's great with Quinoa. Lactose free, soy free and gluten free.
Soy Milk: I have used this in the past, however, those that are estrogen dominant will want to stay away from soy products and other products that contain phyto-estrogens. Lactose free, and gluten free.
Coconut Milk: This has the most lovely flavor and it very high in lauric acid, which has many beneficial anti-viral and anti-bacterial qualities. Lactose free, soy free and gluten free.
