This paper describes the potential for transgenic livestock to advance the development of new medications for the treatment of human disease. Two techniques discussed in this paper are the predominant methods used to produce transgenic livestock, pronuclear microinjection and somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). The paper offers a brief overview of current production methods and challenges and addresses economic, regulatory, and societal factors that impact the commercialization of products and treatments derived from transgenic animals. An appendix provides an in-depth description of the SCNT methodology.

Written by a task force of nine scientists, this issue paper summarizes existing and emerging technologies and assesses their current and potential impacts. The authors suggest that research on biotechnology in animal production is leading to breakthroughs on many fronts. Among the issues this paper addresses are uses in human and veterinary medicine; uses in animal production; vaccine development; food safety; environmental impacts; and ethical considerations of animal biotechnology.