The US Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Atryn, a drug made from the milk of genetically modified goats (human protein injected into animals)
In January, the FDA released its final requirements for handling modified animal DNA. This document allows the use of transgenic animals for medical purposes. Animal advocates and greens are opposed.
The drug, developed by GTC Biotherapeutics Inc., is intended for the prevention and treatment of thrombosis, according to Reuters. The drug should prevent blood clots from forming in patients with antithrombin deficiency. The FDA has approved the use of Atryn for the prevention of blood clots after surgery and in obstetrics. The developers believe that in the United States alone, there may be up to 600 thousand people. GTC estimates that annual sales of the drug in the United States alone will be $ 40-50 million. Ovation Pharmaceuticals Inc. has already received a license to manufacture the drug in the US, Atryn will be on the market by this summer. The drug is also approved for use in Europe.
The FDA said that experts from the organization conducted an audit and made sure: "GTC Biotherapeutics has the necessary process algorithms to ensure that meat and by-products of transgenic goats never enter the market as food" (the company is obliged to dispose of carcasses by burial or incineration). But these statements did not convince opponents of the use of drugs based on modified DNA. They oppose the spread of Atryn, believing that the FDA needs more information on transgenic animals before it goes into production. In this regard, they sent a request to the administration of President Barack Obama to reconsider this decision.