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First GM camels to be engineered for drug production
3 September 2012 | EN
Camels may help produce life-saving drugs at affordable prices
Flickr/Steve Brown 50
[CAIRO] Researchers in Dubai hope to create the first genetically modified (GM) camels capable of producing pharmaceutical proteins in their milk,which can then be processed to manufacture cheaper drugs for the region.
The project aims to slash the prices of life-saving drugs — including insulin, and clotting factors for treating haemophilia — in the Middle East and North Africa, according to Nisar Wani, head of the Reproductive Biology Laboratory at Dubai's Camel Reproduction Center, in the United Arab Emirates.
The cost of camel milk in the region is comparable to that of cow's milk, but the former is more suited to local climates, said Wani. Camels are highly resistant to disease, easier to maintain in the region's arid climate, and are more efficient in converting food [into body mass] than cows.
"We are establishing camel cells modified with exogenous [foreign] DNA, for use in producing transgenic cloned animals, or GM camels," Wani told SciDev.Net. "Hopefully we will transfer camel transgenic embryos to surrogate mothers for the first time later this year."
Wani said he was unable to pinpoint when the first transgenic animal would be born, as the calving rate for cloned embryos was only five per cent, and "this rate gets even smaller when transgenic cells are used".
"We have crossed some critical barriers but still need to do a lot of work to reach the final destination," he added.
"Producing a transgenic animal will bring the Emirates to the top of the international research field," Serge Muyldermans, head of the Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology at Vrije University Brussel, in Belgium, told SciDev.Net.* "However, so far they have just been repeating what others are doing with goats and cattle."
"Cows would be better producers of transgenic protein as they produce more milk," Muyldermans said. "But as camels can be kept in arid areas and are used to living under harsh conditions, they might be better suited to the Middle East."
The Reproductive Biology Laboratory was established in Dubai in 2003, to study the reproductive techniques in species from the region, particularly camels.
"[Previously] there was little or no literature available on assisted reproductive techniques in camels, so we had to standardise all the basic techniques one by one," explained Wani. "Finally, in 2009, we produced the first cloned camel calf — named Injaz — and thereafter produced many more."
The lab's researchers have established a cell bank from 'elite' camels, which excel in milk production and adapting to drought and hot weather, and now plan to clone these animals.
The researchers are also setting up a cell bank for the region's other critically endangered species.
*This article was updated on 26 September 2012 to say that Vrije University Brussel is in Belgium, not the Netherlands as previously stated.
Comments (8)
Dany ( United Arab Emirates )
4 September 2012
Producing a transgenic animal will bring UAE to the top of sientific world. We feel so proud of Dr. Nisar Wani, who pioneered the cloning technology in UAE. We wish him and his team all the best for all the future projects. We are in space, have better architecture and are at par in science... great feeling!
pdjmoo ( The Natural Eye Project | United States of America )
6 September 2012
This is over the top... Firstly, it is unregulated and untested. Secondly what does it do to the camels with these pharmaceuticals in their systems. Thirdly, how does anyone monitor this so that no accident occurs where this genetically modified breeding gets into the "normal, natural" camels; and thirdly why is science willing to go along with such a bizarre alteration of our animal world. This is not okay and all for money.
Fouad Oodian ( Mauritius )
7 September 2012
Book of Sahih Bukhari Volume 1, Book 4, Number 234 :
Narrated by Abu Qilaba Anas said, "Some people of 'Ukl or 'Uraina tribe came to Medina and its climate did not suit them. So the Prophet Muhammad ordered them to go to the herd of (Milch) camels and to drink their milk and urine (as a medicine). So they went as directed and after they became healthy...
As we can see the milk and the urine of the camel was already in the time of the Holy Prophet Muhammad [p.b.u.h]. But we must considered that the Prophet did not asked to mix the milk with anything. I think that it is not a good idea to go forward with this project it will perhaps cause unusual side effects later on.
AhmadBelhoul ( United Arab Emirates )
8 September 2012
We are getting some life saving drugs from cells and microorganism, which are also live. If we get same drugs from higher animals, which reduces its cost and can be made available to even less privileged, what is the problem! I suppose it will be great and a real help to mankind. Surely Allah (GOD) will reward such noble people who work for the benefit of fellow humans.
yosef ( Haramaya University,Ethiopia | Ethiopia )
10 September 2012
Wow it is a new development for human being in camel rearing areas.This orphan (neglected by west) animal will benefit the climate changed world a lot for. We have to uncover a lot about camels.
Abdullah ( Kuwait )
12 September 2012
Yes, it is true, camel is an animal with extraordinary capabilities God has created. Its advantages to mankind need to be explored. We should be happy and proud of Mr. Wani, who has taken steps in right direction.
Tolouse ( Greencore | United States of America )
17 September 2012
I feel proud too. Did you know that camels originated in the Americas a long time ago?
Acevoice ( United Kingdom )
22 January 2013
The trend that some SSA countries - specifically KENYA!!! has taken in negating the importance of GM research can now take the walk of shame at this nobel strategy taken to address science for the future. Kenya has consistently reneged on proposals to advance GM maize research in a very myopic way. After all, Kenya imports lots of products that have some GM 'touch' along the way.
Now that the North Africa has embraced GM research, shall we find Kenya taking the champion steps in opening up to GM crops research? Nothing is so defeating than when politics overrides the precepts of research- it is like a cart leading the horse!
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