The invention provides cloned transgenic ungulates (e.g., bovines) in
which prion protein activity is reduced by one or more genetically
engineered mutations. Desirably, these transgenic bovines are also
genetically modified to express xenogenous (e.g., human) antibodies.
Because of their resistance to prion-related diseases such as bovine
spongiform encephalopy (also known as mad cow disease), these bovines are
a safer source of human antibodies for pharmaceutical uses and a safer
source of agricultural products.