1. Why does GTC produce transgenic goats?

2. Is GTC producing part-human goats?

No, the piece of DNA coding for the human therapeutic protein that GTC introduces into the goat’s genome is a small sequence that is linked to a goat milk-production sequence. Therefore, the new DNA will only be switched on in the mammary gland when the animal produces milk. It is not possible for such a small piece of DNA to create any kind of human tissue or features beyond its ability to express the human protein.

3. How does GTC produce its transgenic goats?

GTC has produced transgenic goats using two different methods – pronuclear microinjection and now exclusively nuclear transfer. Nuclear transfer, performed in a laboratory dish, entails taking a cell carrying the “new” DNA, which codes for the desired therapeutic protein, and fusing it to a donor goat’s egg (that has had its genetic material removed). These eggs are then implanted into a surrogate female goat which she will carry to term. All offspring born using this process are transgenic.

4. Do the transgenic goats generated by nuclear transfer have any health problems?

No, the goats are born normal and healthy. GTC has put a large effort over the last 10 years evaluating the general health and well being of its goats produced by nuclear transfer. GTC has published this work, including a paper describing transgenic goats produced using nuclear transfer to express a potential malaria vaccine candidate.

5. Does GTC generate excess goats that are then not needed in the herd?

The older microinjection technology generated animals that were transgenic along with animals that were not. The “extra” non-transgenic animals were typically used to support the overall herd breeding needs. Animals born from the current nuclear transfer procedure are all transgenic. GTC specifically breeds non-transgenic goats from within our protected herd to support the overall breeding program. As in any dairy operation, only a few males are needed for the herd.

6. Are GTC’s methods for producing and/or maintaining transgenic goats monitored by credible outside experts?

Yes, all of GTC’s procedures involving the goats are manditorilly monitored by the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) and periodically by AAALAC International (Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International). In addition to these external oversight authorities that perform inspections and/or site visits, GTC includes 2 non-company affiliated members (1 outside expert and 1 lay member) on its own internal IACUC (Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee). The IACUC reviews all of our animal protocols before implementation, performs annual re-assessments of protocols, reviews the animal care and use and veterinary care programs and performs inspections of all animal facilities and animals in residence a minimum of twice annually.