Scientists in Japan have mutated chickens so that they can make a cancer drug ingredient which will make the treatment much cheaper. By manipulating the genetic makeup in hens, the scientists have made it so the birds can start laying eggs every few days which contain the protein called Interferon. The protein, which can cost more than $900 for a few micrograms, is typically used in chemotherapy, usually to treat types of leukemia and diseases that affect the immune system.
As of now, it is unknown how much the egg method will help reduce the cost of the drugs, but it is a hopeful start. The innovative technique which involved cross breeding genetically mutated chickens might prove promising for other fields in medicine as well. Mutant chickens can start saving lives as it is reported that 20 percent of cancer patients stop taking their treatment drugs due to the costs being too high.
