From my Chemistry class textbook:
Quote:
Hanging by a Thread
Strands in a spider web are about one tenth the diameter of a human hair. Yet a golden orb spider web can withstand the impact of an insect, or even a small bird, flying at high speed because the silk in the web's frame and spokes is stronger than steel, more elastic than nylon, and tougher than rubber. Scientists are always looking for lightweight materials with these properties, but they cannot set up farms to harvest spider silk because a spider will fight to defend its territory. Instead, scientists use biotechnology to produce spider silk.
Spider silk from goat's milk
Scientists have identified the spider genes that contain the instructions for producing silk. When these genes are transferred to goats, the goats produce milk containing spider silk. Scientists separate the silk from the milk, purify it, and spin it into fibers.
I have given up all hope for humanity. Some guy wants to make silk fabrics for a ton of cheddar, but he's afraid of spiders. Oh no!
But wait, we have SCIENCE. How about we make some genetic halfbreed spidergoats that will LACTATE SILK.
Doesn't that sound painful or something? Are they feeding silk to their babies? This is disgusting!
It's just a spider, goddamnit. Wear some gloves. Don't pollute a goat's carefully constructed genetic makeup to avoid getting bitten, you pansy.