基因改造牛製造低過敏牛奶 GM cows make low allergy milk

A genetically modified cow that produces milk less likely to cause allergic reactions has been engineered by New Zealand scientists. Up to 3% of infants are allergic to cows’ milk in their first year of life.

一種乳汁比較不會造成過敏反應的基因改造乳牛，已經被紐西蘭科學家以基因工程技術製造出來。多達3%的嬰兒在出生第一年會對牛乳過敏。

The modified cow produced milk without beta-lactoglobulin - a whey protein to which some people are allergic. The study has been labelled a "milestone" by one scientist, but some campaign groups say it raises ethical concerns.

這種基改牛的牛乳沒有β乳球蛋白，一種會讓一些人過敏的乳清蛋白質。一名科學家認為這是「里程碑」的研究，但部份倡議團體認為，此項研究會引發道德關切。

The instructions for making the beta-lactoglobulin protein are contained in genes in the cow’s DNA. The scientists added extra genetic material to disrupt the manufacturing process using a technique called RNA interference.

製造β乳球蛋白的指南包含在乳牛DNA的基因裡。科學家利用核醣核酸（RNA）干擾技術添加額外的基因材料干擾製造過程。

Writing in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the researchers said： "All milk samples from the transgenic calf were devoid of any detectable beta-lactoglobulin."

研究人員在「國家科學院院刊」撰文指出：「改造基因的小牛所有乳汁樣本都缺少偵測得到的β乳球蛋白。」

新聞辭典

allergy：名詞，過敏。形容詞為 allergic。例句：I’m allergic to cats.（我對貓過敏。）

likely：形容詞，可能的。例句：Do remind me because I’m likely to forget.（一定要提醒我，因為我很有可能忘記。）

devoid：形容詞，缺少。例句：He seems to be devoid of compassion.（他似乎缺少同情心。）