Q.Name the first transgenic cow. Which gene was introduced in this cow?

The first transgenic cow was Rosie.

A gene encoding human alpha-lactalbumin was introduced into Rosie. This genetic modification allowed Rosie to produce milk that was enriched with human protein, specifically human alpha-lactalbumin. This milk was nutritionally more balanced and suitable for human babies compared to natural cow's milk. …

The advent of genetic engineering has allowed scientists to introduce foreign genes into the genome of animals, creating what are known as transgenic animals. These animals are engineered to possess and express an extra, foreign gene, leading to altered traits or the production of specific proteins. The primary goals behind creating transgenic animals often revolve around understanding gene function, developing disease models, producing pharmaceutical products, or improving agricultural yields and product quality.

One significant milestone in this field was the creation of the first transgenic cow. This achievement demonstrated the potential of biotechnology to enhance the nutritional value of livestock products, particularly milk, for human consumption.

The first transgenic cow was Rosie, developed in 1997.

The gene introduced into Rosie was the human alpha-lactalbumin gene. This gene codes for a protein that is naturally found in human milk. By introducing this specific human gene into Rosie's genome, scientists aimed to modify the composition of her milk.

Method — name + gene + product, in that fixed order

Any "first transgenic X" question in this chapter has the same 3-part answer shape:

Name → Rosie (the cow).

Gene → human alpha-lactalbumin gene. …