I have been reading a couple of the comments left by some of the readers, and I am was surprised to read the reactions about the genetic engineering of the cows. I was surprised by these reactions because it seems these readers did not actually read the article.

The article clearly states that this is a natural genetic mutation that they discovered, not caused. And they were simply breeding the female that had that trait.

This is a natural occurence, and these scientists are using it to increase your our quality of life. These cows are not genetically altered.

Byron, Vienna, VA

I too am also from NZ - the Cows are not genetically modified - their is a natural mutation in their genes. Regardless, I think skim/trim milk tastes revolting anyway.

David, Dunedin, New Zealand

I have been drinking genetically modified milk for 7 weeks now. I have increased strength and stamina. My eye-sight has improved enough to have discarderd my glasses. I also have a 20% increase in IQ. My receding hair-line has begun to rapidly grow back to where it used to be, and I have lost 20 pounds. Unfortunately, I also have a hoof growing out of my belly-button, but it is a small hoof and I will worry about that later.

Lonnie, Terrell, Texas

Genetically modified cows die at a 7 times faster rate than normal cows - and suffer more as a result. It is inhumane to breed animals for our satisfaction -we are NOT gods - however much many would have us believe we can be. Don't put that unnatural, genetically altered milk in anyones body whom you love.

HMoon, Fairfield,, Iowa

Good God! Certainly, science has improved the human condition, but I'd have to look at the en devour of food technology as a complete failure (processed food does *not* improve it's quality), and I can't imagine genetically engineered cows can be an improvement. Milk fat is good for you, in fact, non pasteurized milk is even better (lots of nutrients).

Wow....

Mega, LA, CA

This is bad news. Regular milk with all its fat is good for making butter, ice-cream, yogurt. Now these foods are made with skim milk and artificial thickeners, and simulated flavour enhancers and artificially added (vitamins that whole milk has)--but that skim milk lost as the fat or cream was removed. More so unpasteurized milk is better than homogenized/pasteurized milk ( a process of boiling the milk at a certain temperature to kill any possible bacteria-- this method removes much of the nutrition that was in the milk, again some attempt is made to put back some vitamins that were removed but this is not enough, nor does it restore the nutritional content of the boiled milk. Skim milk does not compare in nutrition and taste. It also does not compare to the benefits of cream or e.g. 3.25% milk, nor to unpasteurised whole milk. When the milk is more whole we drink less of it, and are more nourished than drinking in large quantities the inferior skim milk. see www.mercola.com

nancy, n.y, new york

I want to know how her calves do on her own milk, with no added feed. If her calves grow up strong and healthy on her milk alone, then I would go further.

Sherry Elton, Invercargill, New Zealand

I can't drink or use milk because of the Lactos and the milk fat causes eczema around the ankles. It also causes much mucus in my sinusus. It would appeal to a lot of us if this was also free of lactos.

Jim Leatherman, dayton, montgomery /Ohio

"Skimmed" milk is a mechanical process and can not
be dupplicated by an animal. Using terms that are incorrect is tipical of writers, thay jus write with no teal
knowledge.The term should be "Low Fat Milk"

M Foltz, Eden, USA NC

Next thing you know the government will outlaw regular cows and we won't have the choice of whole or skim milk...Just like the great state of California made it illegal to sell regular light bulbs, ridding people of the ability to chose. The new light bulbs they do allow have murcury. Now California is finding that people are just throwing them away and not disposing of the Mercury properly. I say this poor cow should be turned out with a normal herd and forgotten.

Brandi, Oakdale, TN, USA

Hey everyone, whats the beef? Change is always going to occur. Dairy product consumers want lower fat products. If cows are bred to provide what consumers want I don't see a problem with that especially if it is done naturally.

For those of you who have a problem with eating meat and dairy products, I suggest you go back living in the jungle, lets see how long you last there, another scoop of ice cream for me!

Clay, in New York

Clay, New York, NY

Will this milk provide necessary nutrition to calves? Someone wasn't thinking this through correctly. We can still separate out the fat later, and use it for our coffee.

Rich Y, Dover, USA NJ

There is a reason why there is FAT IN MILK! Without it one cannot grow or assimiliate the vitamins and minerals properly! This is just another "brilliant" category as we will find out milk without fat will make you sick down the road.

What will they think of next? Humans without brains???

Nelly Bell, Honolulul, Hawaii

and the parents of this cow wear white coats

arthur harawira, kaikohe, Aotearoa

What a wonderful discovery. If it can be propogated naturally, all the better. Selective breeding is certainly a viable option, though. Congrats to the farmer! The state of Wisconsin is jealous!

Missy, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin

As a NZer and having seen this item on our news it is my understanding that Madge has not been bred specifically to produce skim milk. Her milk is naturally skim with high omega3 oils. What will be specially bred are her offspring. NZ does not 'over winter' its animals in barns etc. Our sheep and beef/cows are left out in the fields in all seasons and are not 'grain fed'. Thank goodness.

Heather, Wellington, , New Zealand

If cows can be made to give out skimmed milk ,it follows that calfs could produce semi- skimmed.

james hazan, huddersfield, uk

for 80 years we bred them the other direction, to provide milk with a high butterfat content. now it is just the opposite so what is new??

david, summum, il./usa

Now, if we can just get Marge to graze on chocolate grass.

roby mitchell, amarillo, texas

How the world changes. Thirty years ago at agricultural college all the focus was on how to get the fat content of milk as high as possible. High fat creamy milk from Jersey cows being the most prized.

Mike Marshall, Reading, UK

What's next chickens that lay scrambled eggs?

Pat, NYC, USA/NY

The Goodies, in their 1971show "Farm fresh food", saw it coming.

Ernesto Nomparte, Gijon, Spain

Because it contains higher Omega-3 oils, the downfall is that it will go rancid faster than regular milk.

Karin, Hobbs, NM

Let me know when get a cow that produces chocolate milk.

Nick, Holbrook, NY

Know anyone affected by those horrible Monsanto GM seeds? I didn't think so. Also, it doesn't seem as if humans altered this cow. She had this genetic mutation all by herself.

Steve, Lancaster, PA

Darel needs to learn a little more science before making such a drastic and radical decision. The rationale behind organic food makes very little sense.

John, St. Louis, Missouri

When will scientist learn we must never alter nature? I started purchasing organic foods after I read horrible news regarding Monsanto GM seeds.

Darel , Roanoke , VA

A threat to separation?

Dave, Hudson, WI

Now all they need to do is get them to produce fat free, Lactose free, and chocolate!! :^)

Karyn S, Addison, IL. USA

Until milk fat at the farm level has a negative value (there is actually a penalty for producing fat at the farm level) there is no economic reason for feeding and milking this type of cow. Milk production is a commodity business and all of the most basic economic principles hold. But, perhaps Kiwi economics are different.
It has been known for about 30 years that there are several dietary means of producing milk fat high in unsaturated fats. Unfortunately, the milk is prone to becoming rancid and because the fat is oily it is practically impossible to produce standard dairy products that depend on the fat having a certain character.
So, time will tell....

Robert Bremel, Hillpoint, Wisconsin USA

Now, if only they can breed a cow that gives beer...

Blogger1947, Gwynn Oak, USA

If I had to guess, they're bred with non-skim mothers. Just like the entire Orange Tree crop in the US is on non-orange tree root stock.

Parick, Portland, Oregon

I would like to know how well the calves of these cows thrive and grow if they get only low fat milk.

Peter Lees, RADSTOCK, UK