Engineered silkworms in the synthesis of proteins

The silkworm, which played an important role in the modernisation of Japan's economy at the turn of the 20th century, could repeat the process at the dawn of this century through the discovery of novel applications in the rapidly developing field of biotechnology.

Silkworms are not now bred for their valuable cocoons, but genetically engineered to act as factories to produce useful proteins for medical and other fields.

Toray Industries has developed a highly efficient technique to use silkworms to produce proteins for veterinary medicines, and will shortly put that knowledge to practical commercial use.

One important factor is safety. Silkworms harbour no diseases that can infect humans, do not fly away even if allowed to metamorphose into moths, thus there is little threat of the genetically modified silkworms disrupting the ecosystem.