The answer for treating a condition that causes potentially life-threatening blood clots may be found in the form of genetically modified goats.

If the FDA approves it, of course.

ATryn, a drug developed by a Massachusetts biotechnology company, GTC Biotherapeutics, is made from goats’ milk specially formulated to contain antithrombin. In humans, antithrombin acts as a blood thinner. However, about one  in 5,000 people do not produce enough of this hormone, which puts them at risk for blood clots.

The drug is approved and used in Europe, but is currently under examination by the FDA, according to the Associated Press.

In their everyday lives, people with antithrombin deficiency manage their disorder with blood thinners, and will continue to do so. If ATryn gets approved for use in the U.S., the medication would be used at times when these patients are at higher risk of blood clots: during surgery or childbirth, for example.

If approved by the FDA, ATryn would open the doors for other medications developed by genetically modified living organisms to be approved for use in the U.S.

What is your opinion about genetically modifying animals to benefit humans?