
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, June 8, 1990                   TAG: 9006080409
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A-2   EDITION: STATE 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: HOUSTON                                LENGTH: Short

CALVES BORN WITH GENES FROM OTHERS

A team of scientists here has produced the nation's first genetically engineered calves, a new milestone in using advanced genetic technology to alter food-producing animals.

Four calves born in the past 15 months have genes from other species, including one from humans.

Researchers expect the genes, inserted into fertilized eggs removed from the womb, to speed growth and make cattle leaner.

In producing the genetically engineered calves, which look no different from ordinary calves, scientists in the United States have completed their goal of inserting foreign genes into the chromosomes of every important food animal.

The breakthrough holds the promise not only of eliminating many steps in the costly process of cattle breeding, but also of producing superior livestock with traits that until now have existed only in theory. - The New York Times

by CNB