Genetic tweak produces healthy oils in mice and cows to ease creaky hearts

Scientists in Boston have created a line of genetically engineered mice that make their own omega-3 fatty acids — the healthful oils typically found in fish that mice, humans and other mammals cannot normally make on their own.

Scientists in Boston have created a line of genetically engineered mice that make their own omega-3 fatty acids — the healthful oils typically found in fish that mice, humans and other mammals cannot normally make on their own.The scientists have no interest in mice becoming a restaurant delicacy, even though the meat would technically be as healthy as piece of salmon. Nor do the research team advocate splicing the human genome with the gene that is capable of producing omega 3 acids. Whilst this would technically mean that humans could have the capacity to convert the unhealthy fats in their diets into healthier oils, the ethical concerns would ensure it never happened.They do, however, foresee a future in which cattle will be engineered to have the omega-3 gene in their muscles so a slab of beef could have a fat profile similar to that of a piece of salmon — and without the worry about mercury or other ocean contaminants that lately have plagued the seafood industry.Omega-3 fatty acids, found in oily fish like salmon, are recommended by dieticians because they are known to prevent heart disease in humans.Now these scientists say their research could help improve people’s diets, without changing their eating habits.Update: Scientists are now reporting that they have indeed spliced the genome of a cow so it is capable of creating its own omega 3 fatty acids. Whether or not this practise will ever be morally and commercially viable remains to be seen.(Source: ABC Health News Online, Feb 2004)