Cows genetically modified to produce healthier milk

In two separate breakthroughs, researchers have revealed that they have successfully created a calf whose milk could be drunk by people suffering from lactose intolerance and a second animal whose milk contains high levels of "healthy" fat found in fish.

The cows are part of a growing effort by scientists to make food and drink products from livestock healthier by genetically altering the animals.

The work, however, is likely to inflame the debate about GM foods. Critics of the technology have reacted angrily to the research and questioned the safety of milk from genetically modified animals.

It comes just a year after Chinese scientists revealed they had successfully introduced human genes into 300 dairy cows to produce milk with the same properties as human breast milk.

In the latest research, geneticists were able to introduce a gene which causes lactose, the main sugar in dairy products, to break down into other types of sugar that are more easily digestible by humans.

Read more: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/science-news/9335762/Cows-genetically-modified-to-produce-healthier-milk.html