Sheep with car gene produce volkwagen parts Thursday, 18 May 2000 12:12 (ZDF)
Sheep with car gene produce VW parts By Dr. Prof. Hans Werner Wolfsburg, May 20 (ZDF) - German scientists have implanted car genes in a herd of sheep, resulting in the production of fluids and materials in sheep that can be used for automobiles and other applications. The technique was perfected by W. Heinrich, a geneticist and partner of VW Biotechnologies of Hannover. "We have combined the new with the old," Heinrich told ZDF in a recent interview. "The old is represented by the Sheep. The new is genetic engineering." Fluids and solids - which are harvested from the sheep in Hannover can be used to build superior cars, Heinrich said, adding that many auto companies have been trying unsuccessfully to duplicate the results in laboratories for years. There have been some initial setbacks, as the bio sheep have a tendency to leak coolant. But says Heinrich, we have fixed that now. Heinrich said VW has been contacted by numerous firms seeking to share the technique but he said we won't sell. Heinrich estimates the technology has a potential market of DM10 million. He expects the solids to go to market within a year under the brand name "Vwsheepoplast" He said, the substance could be used in many applications, like possibly replacing such things as plastics for coolant parts in vanagons. Both the German Bundeswehr and Pentagon have expressed interest in using it for making ballistic systems, he said. Happy Friday. Harald '90 westy |
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