Genetically modified chickens to produce life saving protein in eggs.

UK scientists have produced genetically designer eggs with protein to fight cancers. This breakthrough has been achieved by the same research center who created cloned sheep 'Dolly'. These eggs are layed by genetically modified chickens, running in to fifth generations now.

Some of the birds have been engineered to lay eggs that contain miR24, a type of antibody with potential for treating malignant melanoma, a form of skin cancer. Others produce human interferon b-1a, which can be used to stop viruses replicating in cells.

The proteins are secreted into the whites of the eggs. It is a fairly straightforward process then to extract and purify them.