The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved for the first time the sale of a drug made by genetically engineered animals. The goats are genetically engineered to secrete antithrombin in their milk. The drug is needed by patients with a hereditary deficiency of antithrombin in their blood.
The European Union (EU)—although known for dragging their feet on the approval of genetically engineered (GE) products—approved this drug in 2006.
Photo: GTC Biotherapeutics. For more information, see Shankar Vedantam, Washington Post, Drug Made In Milk of Altered Goats Is Approved, and MSNBC, FDA OKs drug from genetically altered animals.
