As unbelievable as it sounds, there are researchers who exchange genes between animals and plants to achieve additional advances in food production. The arctic flounder, for example, can live in near-freezing waters because of a genetic trait that lowers the freezing point of all fluids in the cells in it's body. Researchers have begun to study whether the arctic flounders gene might be used to protect citrus and other fruit trees from frost damage. (Wells 35 - 36) There are already bacteria that have been successfully introduced into some plant systems that prevent a plant from freezing at 32 degrees Fahrenheit. The bacteria stop the plant from freezing by producing a protein that serves as a nucleus for ice crystal formation when temperatures dip below freezing. (Opposing Viewpoints 120)

Genetic engineering has already been used successfully in some areas of animal food production as well. Dairy cows naturally secrete a hormone that causes their bodies to produce milk. Scientists at several major companies have taken the gene that codes for this substance and spliced it into bacteria, which then act as little factories that provide nearly an unlimited source of this hormone. Once the bacteria have produced the desired amount of the hormone, they are destroyed. The manufactured hormone is harvested, and sold to dairy farmers who inject it into their cows. This substance, is called BST, and results in the cows producing 10 to 25 percent more milk than usual. (Tagliaferro 52) The president of the American Dietetic Association, Sara C. Parks, R.D., has stated: "The evidence is clear that BST does not change the composition of the milk, and consumers should have complete confidence in the milk supply."(Tagliaferro 53 - 54) Advocates say that since cows naturally produce this hormone, the injection promotes efficiency without harming the animals or the consumers who drink the milk. They also say that the hormone injection could mean fewer herd cows because of the greater milk yields, which could lead to lowered costs of animal feed, which in the long run could lower the prices on milk products. (Tagliaferro 54) Scientists are also trying to develop a hormone producing bacteria to harvest for meat animals so that they will grow faster and bigger than they normally would resulting in more food for everyone, at possibly cheaper prices. (Tagliaferro 50)

The growth hormone gene of rainbow trout already has been transferred directly into carp eggs. (Opposing Viewpoints 133 - 135) The result is a transgenic carp, which is a carp that produce both carp and rainbow trout growth hormones and grow to be one-third larger than normal carp. Other fish that have been genetically engineered include salmon, which have been modified for faster growth, and trout, which have been altered by a blood virus so that they are more resistant to infection. (Opposing Viewpoints 137 - 138) Recombinant DNA techniques also have been used for the production of proteins that enhance animal health and productivity. Again, using bacteria as factories, scientists have produced vaccines for foot - and - mouth diseases and for a diarrhea - causing disease called "scours" that kills young animals. (Opposing Viewpoints 120 - 121)

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