The future cost of producing cancer drugs may have dropped in price with the laying of eggs from genetically-modified chickens.

Roslin Institute scientists have announced the successful creation of five generations of chickens that can lay eggs containing a specific protein needed to manufacture drugs used in the treatment of cancer. The Roslin Institute is the same research facility that cloned the Finn Dorset lamb named Dolly.

According to the BBC News report that states, "the work at Roslin shows it is now possible to use chickens as biofactories," more than one genetically-modified animal is being used as just such a factory for complex proteins needed to produce drugs.

It will be five-to-ten years before the drugs made from the protein of eggs from these genetically-modified chickens can be safely used, if clinical trials show favorable outcomes.

Nevada is home to the loneliest road in America, legalized brothels and Las Vegas. Now -- according to a spokesman for Gov. Kenny Guinn -- the state government will help Nevadans with the ability to purchase low-cost prescription drugs from Canada via the internet by providing direct web links to pharmacies in Canada. Nevada is not listening to the staunch objections from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to the fact that it is illegal. The legislators state that the import option is needed because many people pay twice as much for similar prescriptions in this country and often cannot afford the drugs they need to live. Lawmakers contend that the federal policies regarding the ability to obtain low-cost prescription drugs are simply a disgrace.

Nevada lawmakers passed the measure allowing Nevadans access to less expensive prescription drugs from Canada, and Nevada regulators have given approval to move ahead with implementing links to pharmacies in Canada. There will be a warning on the state website saying that the federal government views getting prescriptions filled in Canada with non-FDA-approved drugs an illegal act. The state website and links to Canadian pharmacies is scheduled to go live today.

Years ago, and I mean years ago, I was part of a household staff that worked in the mansion of a magistrate. Despite his considerable wealth, and the fact that he paid others to take care of almost all the daily tasks of running a large home, I found him each morning in the kitchen making soup for the day.

When you are young, you take some of the oddest jobs, that in retrospect, do not seem to have any bearing on your eventual professional successes. But I digress. Back to the story. One morning, he gave me quite a long lecture on the health benefits of homemade soup. I admit I have been fascinated and a fan of soups ever since.

Soups are relatively inexpensive to make, and can be packed with nutrients. You throw all the ingredients into a large pot and leave it to simmer on the back burner of the stove, or in a slow cooker, until hours later, with a crust of bread and side salad, you have a satisfying meal. At the end of the day, in the small amusements of a stay-at-home mother, I can almost imagine someone else has made dinner -- because in many ways -- soup makes itself.

To celebrate spring, the American Institute for Cancer Research is offering delicious soup recipes loaded with cancer-fighting nutrients and phytochemicals such as Black Bean Soup with Avocado and Watercress; Fresh Spinach Soup; Spring Vegetable Soup; Chilled Strawberry Soup with Mint; and Asparagus and Scallion Soup with Almonds.