Cow, interrupted As you know if you've been a reader of mine for any length of time at all, I'm a bit conflicted about things like genetic engineering. On the one hand, I see the tremendous potential for advancements in healing and the eradication of disease - but on the other, I'm all too aware of humanity's tendency to use new technologies for base reasons, or in misguided ways. And sure enough, that's more or less what's happening in New Zealand right now… A biotech company is breeding a herd of cows that produce the equivalent of skim milk! According to the UK Times Online, Auckland-based ViaLactia has invested the rough U.S. equivalent of $100 million into duplicating in other cattle a genetic mutation they discovered in an ordinary-looking Friesian cow they code-named "Marge." ViaLactia's scientists bought this cow in 2001 for around $250US… Marge's mutation makes her produce milk that's equal in protein to regular milk, but with significantly less saturated fat - less than 1% opposed to whole milk's 3.5%. Basically, she lactates with milk that's somewhere between semi-skim and skim. Apparently, milk from both Marge and her offspring cows are also much higher in Omega-3 fats, which are great for the brain, heart, and bodily tissues. See what I mean about the potential for abuse of genetic technology? These people are trying to breed cows that cater to a misconception within the marketplace - that saturated fat in milk is BAD for you… Like I've been saying and proving for years, your body and mind need a certain amount of saturated fats to live. Without them, we'd die. And the best source I know of for them is raw, whole milk. (Good luck finding raw milk - but it's well worth tracking down if you can.) Now, with this New Zealand herd of skim-squirting cows, we've got a movement toward gen-tech engineered foods that are in key ways LESS healthy than the original version, but MORE in demand in the marketplace because the health weenies pay for tons of marketing that maligns vital saturated fats! According to the Times article, ViaLactia is now attempting to breed a bull that passes on the trait, so that they can "reproduce hundreds of thousands of cows like Marge." I'm sure it won't be long before they're grazing by the million here in the U.S… | 
