Scientists in Japan have edited chickens’ genomes to make the birds lay eggs containing a protein called Interferon, which typically costs between $250 and $900 per several micrograms when manufactured without a magic hen. The Japanese chickens, though, cut the costs: Every one to two days, the hens lay an egg containing the key ingredient to combating malignant skin cancer as well as hepatitis and multiple sclerosis.
The success of the mutant eggs could save many lives: Research last year found that 1 in 5 cancer patients will stop taking a life-saving drug due to an inability to pay for it.
