SCI 219 2-1 Discussion Where Does Medicine Come From

2-1 Discussion: Where Does Medicine Come From?

The organism I selected that is used for medicinal purposes is the Saanen or BioSteel Goats which “have

been genetically modified to produce the protein from Golden Orb Weaver Spider (Nephila clavipes) silk

in their milk” (Biosteel Goat, 2014) meaning “that the gene that codes for protein that spiders use for

their silk was transferred through laboratory techniques into the goats’ genome” (Biosteel Goat, 2014).

The full species name for Saanen goats is Capra aegarus hircus. Nexia Biotechnologies Inc., a Canadian

company that developed the goats with financial assistance from the U.S. Department of Defense, came

up with the idea for BioSteel. Dr. Randy Lewis' lab at Utah State University in Logan, Utah, which

specializes in the genetics, protein structure, and manufacture of spider silk, acquired the BioSteel herd

benefit humans in a variety of ways. Researchers say it would be strong enough to make bulletproof

jackets, parachute ropes, or to anchor jets to aircraft carriers if made in large quantities and threaded

together. Additionally, Additionally, spider silk may be used to produce artificial tendons and ligaments

"support tissue, bone and nerve cells, holding them steady while they grow" (Blanco, J., Chitale, R., &

ABC News Medical Unit, 2009). Spider silk has potential for medicinal purposes as it has been proven

that the human body accepts it without producing inflammation meaning that products like eye sutures,

artificial tendons, and artificial ligaments can be made using spider silk (Biosteel Goat, 2014).

Figure 2

Note: Sourced from Biosteel Goat (2014)

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