MIDLOTHIAN, UNITED KINGDOM — Scientists have successfully made pigs resistant to a deadly virus by editing their genes.
According to the study, published in the Journal of Virology, Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome — or PRRS — causes breathing problems and death in young pigs, and stillborns in infected sows.
To address this, researchers from the University of Edinburgh's Roslin Institute used gene editing to remove a small section of the pigs' CD163 receptor, which the PRRS virus attaches to. They then exposed the gene-edited pigs to the virus and found that the animals did not become infected.
Scientists say the genetic edit is permanent, meaning the pigs' resistance to the disease will be passed down through natural breeding.
The Edinburgh team stressed that unlike genetic modification, which is highly controversial, no foreign genes are added in during the editing process. But with no regulations in place, it may take years before the technology can be applied to commercially raised swines.
According to the study, published in the Journal of Virology, Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome — or PRRS — causes breathing problems and death in young pigs, and stillborns in infected sows.
To address this, researchers from the University of Edinburgh's Roslin Institute used gene editing to remove a small section of the pigs' CD163 receptor, which the PRRS virus attaches to. They then exposed the gene-edited pigs to the virus and found that the animals did not become infected.
Scientists say the genetic edit is permanent, meaning the pigs' resistance to the disease will be passed down through natural breeding.
The Edinburgh team stressed that unlike genetic modification, which is highly controversial, no foreign genes are added in during the editing process. But with no regulations in place, it may take years before the technology can be applied to commercially raised swines.
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