A2 beta casein testing news

www.nzfsa.govt.nz/policy-law/projects/a1-a2-milk/a1-a2-report.pdf

Interesting report, I find all of this amazing. There is so much knowledge out there.

I am also wondering y’alls take on the fact that whey has been completely left out of this A1/A2 study. Beta Casein is only one part of the milk make up, the other is whey. Whey has been proven to prevent heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and the body’s ability to heal itself. How can one protein cause some of these things, while the other is fighting it?

I don't mean to sound pessimistic here; I just don't want to be taken for a ride by some company looking to make a buck. I haven't found any convincing evidence as of yet that they are not doing that...

Genebo,

You're not keeping up with the A2 Corporate activities. They have filed a patent application in the United States ( www.freepatentsonline.com/y2010/0041042.html ) that is essentially a patent on a gene and the use of that inherent genetic component in the production of a product that has specific and defined health effects and benefits.

Here are some excerpts from this patent application:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
"This invention relates to milk free of the Beta-casein A 1 protein. Such milk is useful for the prevention or treatment of coronary heart disease. In particular, the invention relates to the breeding of bovine bulls that do not have DNA encoding for Beta-casein A 1 with bovine cows that do not have DNA encoding for Beta-casein A 1 and then milking the progeny cows. The milk produced is free of Beta-casein A 1 . "

and

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
"Coronary heart disease is a major cause of death, particularly in western world countries where the populations are generally well-nourished. Many factors are implicated as risk factors for this disease including obesity, smoking, genetic predisposition, diet, hypertension, and cholesterol.

Dairy products, especially milk, are a major contributor to the dietary intake of humans, again particularly in western world populations. Milk contains numerous components of nutritional and health benefit. Calcium is one example. However, milk is also a significant source of dietary fat. It is widely accepted that saturated fats found in milk are a risk factor for coronary heart disease. However, an additional risk factor present in some bovine milk unrelated to the fat content has been discovered. What is entirely surprising is the source of the risk. The source is not dependent on the fat content of milk. Instead, it is a milk protein, Beta-casein, which is linked to coronary heart disease.

A number of variants of milk proteins have been identified. Initially, three variants of Beta-casein were discovered (Aschaffenburg, 1961) and were denoted A, B and C. It was later found that the A variant could be resolved into A 1 , A 2 and A 3 by gel electrophoresis (Peterson et. al. 1966). The Beta-casein variants now known are A 1 , A 2 , A 3 , B, C, D, E and F, with A 1 and A 2 being present in milk in the highest proportions. It is anticipated that other variants may be identified in the future.

The milk protein Beta-casein A 1 has been determined to represent the risk factor in bovine milk that is linked to coronary heart disease, or at least is the principal risk factor. This determination forms the basis of the present invention. "


Patti

"A2 Corp has said full ownership will give it exclusive rights for the production and sale of A2 milk products in Australia and Japan."

This statement, among many others that I have read, is what has red flags going off for me. This is obviously an "in it for the money" mentality. It is not OK to corner a market on a gene that has been around way before they "discovered" it, and claim ownership of it, at the expense of established, or up and coming dairies.

I also have big problems with the health cures they are claiming.

From what I have read, the things they are claiming are not proven, but great assumptions, stretches of studies with inconclusive results.

Cardiovascular diseases:
The available clinical evidence is sparse and unhelpful in determining whether
this is a true cause and effect relationship. One animal study showed some
support for the atherogenic nature of a diet with a very high A1 β-casein
supplementation, but the results were far from conclusive and there is difficulty on translating animal studies to human health.

Neurological disorders:
There have been several poorly-controlled clinical trials of casein-free, gluten free diets in people with autism. In general, the diets seem to reduce some of the autistic behaviors, but the bias inherent in the studies (especially lack of blinded assessment) may explain some of the findings. The evidence that A1 β-casein is related to schizophrenia is very scant.

As a matter of individual choice, people may wish to reduce or remove A1 β-
casein from their diet (or their children’s diet) as a precautionary measure.
This may be particularly relevant for those individuals who have or are at risk
6
of the diseases mentioned (type 1 diabetes, coronary heart disease, autism
and schizophrenia). However, they should do so knowing that there is
substantial uncertainty about the benefits of such an approach.

I am very leery of big companies. This reminds me of Monsanto in some ways. Maybe, in due time, the testing will be done to bring these things to pass, but to devalue a hard working dairy and a wonderful milk cow because she doesn't carry the gene they are claiming is healthier is wrong. To claim ownership of this gene after making these statements is wrong.

I will also say from a completely personal point of view that my middle child exhibited a lot of autistic characteristics early on in life, which is one of the reasons we started with raw milk. We changed our eating habits drastically and cut out All processed food, All dyes and All preservatives and he is a perfectly happy, healthy 4 yr old today. He drinks at least a quart of A1/A2 milk a day and has since he was 18 months old.

To me, A2 Corp will need to be followed closely. Something just doesn't feel right about it.

I thought that was always the case, didn't Cal Davis have that in their literature somewhere? I'm pretty sure I read that, but can't for the life of me remember where.

Carol

You're missing the point. UC-Davis doesn't specifically mention the "intellectual property" that the A2 Milk Company is claiming concerning this testing. Read it again:

"A2 Milk Company is "advising" us of their ownership of the intellectual property dealing with test results and their use for determining herd formation and milking."

Ownership of intellectual property conveys certain rights to the owner. By testing through UC-Davis, you are agreeing to give the A2 Milk Company specific intellectual property rights dealing with test results and their use for determining herd formation and milking. What the A2 Milk Company decides they want to do with the intellectual property rights that concern Dexter cattle, remains to be seen. But it's theirs, not yours, and if you use it for determining herd formation and milking, they may decide to request payments (royalities) for the "use" of their intellectual property.

The Dexter breed is not the only cattle breed that is affected by this. Other dairy breeds, including Guernsey, Ayrshire, Dutch-Belted, Devon, Milking Shorthorn, and Kerry cattle are very concerned about how the A2 Milk Company may be taking steps to exercise their intellectual property rights, as a direct result of obtaining these test results in the United States under the conditions of their contract agreement with UC-Davis.

It’s just one more way for someone to gouge the little guy.

It's wrong. They don't own a gene that has been around since cows came into existence. They may have created a test for it, but it's wrong that they now lay claim to ownership or entitlement to that gene.

I absolutely disagree with it. I find it very disturbing that there is no outsourced testing being done to confirm their results.

I have and will do my part to inform people of the whole scope of A2 milk and not just the sales pitch that has hit the internet.

Here's what many people don't seem to realize: Intellectual property can be traded, bought, and sold.

If Monsanto (or ADM or Cargill or Tyson or Kraft Foods, etc.) decides that they want to buy some or all of the A2 Milk Corporation's "intellectual property", and then use it for their own purposes and financial gain (at our expense) there is nothing to stop that from happening.

Patti