On the 16th of June, 2011, prof. Cesare Galli took part in the Italian TV show "Coffee Break" LA7. The episode, titled "Animal Cloning" was aimed to discuss about the issue of cloning and genetic engineering, inspired by the news released recently on cow Rosita, born on the 6th of April in Argentina, which will produce milk similar to human milk.
In particular, Rosita is a transgenic cow with human genes, as reported by the National Institute of Agribusiness Technology of Argentina, and it has in its DNA human genes that contain lactoferrin and lysozyme, which are present in breast milk. The first has an antimicrobial, bactericidal and fungicidal activity, which strengthens the immune system. The second, the lysozyme, is an antibacterial substance. In fact, infants who are formula fed, without this substance, have frequent episodes of diarrhea. These are three times higher than in infants fed breast milk.
The program was conducted by Tiziana Panella and hosted also prof. Giuseppe Novelli, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery of Tor Vergata, the journalist Henry Vaime and responsible Lav - Anti-Vivisection League, Michela Kuan.
"Of the damages that result from today's food problems," said the Professor. Novelli, "no one comes from genetic modification. Indeed, the cereal we eat today they have been genetically modified for years been and thanks to the addition of folic acid damage generated in the oral cavity of children have been reduced.
Today we have products that are cheap, which are effective and are made with genetic engineering, which has long been used to improve the food supply”.
"It is necessary to specify that cloning is not genetic engineering" explains Professor. Galli, "A cloned animal is born from a copy of the genome of a cell taken from the donor animal, thereby generating a genetic copy, as twins are. Engineer means acting on genes, edit, or insert new ones. As you can see in the video " adds Professor. Galli "Cloned animals are doing well, grow and reproduce. Nowadays there are many cattle, horses and pig farms with cloned animals. With regard to the possible risks linked to the cow Rosita, cow's milk is certainly different from that of humans, but children drink cow's milk. The addition of proteins is justified to make it better. The same infant formula milk given to infants today is based on components of cow's milk, there are no any dangers or any food risks."
Video of the program "Coffee Break", entitled "Animal Cloning" on the 16.06.2011
